Chapter 1. CASEVision/WorkShop MegaDev

The CASEVision/WorkShop MegaDev software is layered on the core CASEVision/WorkShop toolset. MegaDev provides more advanced tools for the development of applications, featuring

About WorkShop MegaDev Tools

The programming language C++ offers a good balance between flexibility and performance. Programmers accept C++ for its portability and use of libraries. Object-oriented programming in C++ promises efficient execution, structured classification, and substantial reuse of code. Nevertheless, you might encounter some of these problems as you build a large software system in C++:

  • expensive recompilations whenever a class definition changes

  • a long edit-compile-debug cycle for minor changes to code

  • an inability to support shared C++ libraries

  • a lack of high-level libraries

  • difficulty understanding code because key information is hidden in class hierarchies

As a solution to these problems, the WorkShop Pro C++ package speeds compiles, improves debugging, simplifies user interface design, and helps you to visualize complex class relationships. Thus it enables you to be a more productive C++ programmer. Here's a quick description of what each tool allows you to do:

Fix and Continue 


Redefine existing C or C++ functions, and then continue your execution without recompiling your entire code set.

C++ Browser 

Display information about classes and their relationships as query results or class/call graphs.

The following sections provide more detailed descriptions of each tool included in the MegaDev package.

Fix and Continue

Fix and Continue lets you redefine existing C or C++ function definitions in several ways, then disable or re-enable individual redefinitions. You continue running your program in the Debugger without recompiling the entire system or linking. You can examine the differences between the original and redefined functions. Fix and Continue accepts input from the Debugger command line as an alternative to using Debugger menus.

Fix and Continue is integrated with the WorkShop 2.4 Debugger, so you can set breakpoints inside the redefined code. Special notation for line numbers in the Debugger (and in many of its views) shows when a given function is redefined, in addition to unique color highlighting of the source code.

Fix and Continue is covered in Part I of this guide and introduced in Chapter 2, “Getting Started with Fix and Continue.”

C++ Browser

The C++ Browser lets you view the structure of any set of C++ classes. It provides a global, graphical view of interclass relationships such as inheritance, containment, and interaction within a set of classes. The convenient, outline-based display shows class relationships and internal class structure from the point of view of any class, member, or method in the hierarchy. A history facility lets you quickly shift among classes. Complete source listings of any class or member are available at the click of a button. The C++ Browser uses a compiler-generated static analysis database to answer your queries.

The C++ Browser is part of the WorkShop 2.4 Static Analyzer, so you can use it as an interactive development and maintenance aid for application source code as well as a reference tool for exploring the structure of C++ programs or libraries.

The C++ Browser is covered in Part II of this guide and introduced in Chapter 5, “Getting Started with the C++ Browser.”

Setting Up Your System

CASEVision/WorkShop MegaDev requires installation of IRIX™ system software version 5.3 or greater, ToolTalk 1.1 or greater, and the Integrated Development Option (IDO).

The C++ Browser requires the WorkShop 2.4 Execution Environment, CASEVision 2.4, and CASEVision/WorkShop 2.4.

To determine what software is installed on your system, enter the following at the shell prompt:

% versions

If the software items mentioned in this section are not installed, consult your sales representative, your service provider, or (in the U.S.) call the Silicon Graphics Technical Assistance Center at 1-(800)-800-4SGI. To order additional memory, consult your sales representative, or call 1-(800)-800-SGI1. Table 1-1 shows the base product needed to run each module in WorkShop Pro C++.

Table 1-1. WorkShop Pro C++ Special Dependencies

Element

Requirement

Fix and Continue

CASEVision/WorkShop

Debugger

C++ Browser

CASEVision/WorkShop Static Analyzer

If you have all the software and memory you need, you're ready to install the CASEVision/WorkShop Pro C++ software. Consult the IRIS Software Installation Guide for general instructions on software installation. For specific installation instructions, see the CASEVision/WorkShop MegaDev Browser Release Notes.