The present book is based on the conference Software Development and Reality Construction held at SchloB Eringerfeld in Germany, September 25 - 30, 1988. This was organized by the Technical University of Berlin (TUB) in cooperation with the German National Research Center for Computer Science (GMD), Sankt Augustin, and sponsored by the Volkswagen Foundation whose financial support we gratefully acknowledge. The conference was an interdisciplinary scientific and cultural event aimed at promoting discussion on the nature of computer science as a scientific discipline and on the theoretical foundations and systemic practice required for human-oriented system design. In keeping with the conversational style of the conference, the book comprises a series of individual contributions, arranged so as to form a coherent whole. Some authors reflect on their practice in computer science and system design. Others start from approaches developed in the humanities and the social sciences for understanding human learning and creativity, individual and cooperative work, and the interrelation between technology and organizations. Thus, each contribution makes its specific point and can be read on its own merit. But, at the same time, it takes its place as a chapter in the book, along with all the other contributions, to give what seemed to us a meaningful overall line of argumentation. This required careful editorial coordination, and we are grateful to all the authors for bearing with us throughout the slow genesis of the book and for complying with our requests for extensive revision of some of the manuscripts.

The present book is based on the conference Software Development and Reality Construction held at SchloB Eringerfeld in Germany, September 25 - 30, 1988. This was organized by the Technical University of Berlin (TUB) in cooperation with the German National Research Center for Computer Science (GMD), Sankt Augustin, and sponsored by the Volkswagen Foundation whose financial support we gratefully acknowledge. The conference was an interdisciplinary scientific and cultural event aimed at promoting discussion on the nature of computer science as a scientific discipline and on the theoretical foundations and systemic practice required for human-oriented system design. In keeping with the conversational style of the conference, the book comprises a series of individual contributions, arranged so as to form a coherent whole. Some authors reflect on their practice in computer science and system design. Others start from approaches developed in the humanities and the social sciences for understanding human learning and creativity, individual and cooperative work, and the interrelation between technology and organizations. Thus, each contribution makes its specific point and can be read on its own merit. But, at the same time, it takes its place as a chapter in the book, along with all the other contributions, to give what seemed to us a meaningful overall line of argumentation. This required careful editorial coordination, and we are grateful to all the authors for bearing with us throughout the slow genesis of the book and for complying with our requests for extensive revision of some of the manuscripts.

Prototyping is an approach used in evolutionary systemdevelopment. In this book, the authors show which forms ofprototyping can be employed to tackle which problems. Theytake a look at the tools used in everyday softwaredevelopment with a view to determining their suitability forprototyping, and attempt to elucidate prototyping as amethodological concept.Part I of the book looks at prototyping as an approach forconstructing and evaluating models. Traditional approachesand phase-oriented life cycle plans are discussed.Prototyping overcomes fundamental problems associated withlife cycle plans. The authors present their own concept ofevolutionary system development.Part II shows to what extent technical support ofevolutionary system development is possible. Various toolsfor supporting prototyping are discussed and prospectivetrends are indicated. Criteria are listed to help the readerchoose between the various development environmentscurrently available or likely to become available in thenear future. Case studies are used to illustrate howprototype construction can be integrated in softwareprojects.

Prototyping is an approach used in evolutionary systemdevelopment. In this book, the authors show which forms ofprototyping can be employed to tackle which problems. Theytake a look at the tools used in everyday softwaredevelopment with a view to determining their suitability forprototyping, and attempt to elucidate prototyping as amethodological concept.Part I of the book looks at prototyping as an approach forconstructing and evaluating models. Traditional approachesand phase-oriented life cycle plans are discussed.Prototyping overcomes fundamental problems associated withlife cycle plans. The authors present their own concept ofevolutionary system development.Part II shows to what extent technical support ofevolutionary system development is possible. Various toolsfor supporting prototyping are discussed and prospectivetrends are indicated. Criteria are listed to help the readerchoose between the various development environmentscurrently available or likely to become available in thenear future. Case studies are used to illustrate howprototype construction can be integrated in softwareprojects.

The present book is based on the conference Software Development and Reality Construction held at SchloB Eringerfeld in Germany, September 25 - 30, 1988. This was organized by the Technical University of Berlin (TUB) in cooperation with the German National Research Center for Computer Science (GMD), Sankt Augustin, and sponsored by the Volkswagen Foundation whose financial support we gratefully acknowledge. The conference was an interdisciplinary scientific and cultural event aimed at promoting discussion on the nature of computer science as a scientific discipline and on the theoretical foundations and systemic practice required for human-oriented system design. In keeping with the conversational style of the conference, the book comprises a series of individual contributions, arranged so as to form a coherent whole. Some authors reflect on their practice in computer science and system design. Others start from approaches developed in the humanities and the social sciences for understanding human learning and creativity, individual and cooperative work, and the interrelation between technology and organizations. Thus, each contribution makes its specific point and can be read on its own merit. But, at the same time, it takes its place as a chapter in the book, along with all the other contributions, to give what seemed to us a meaningful overall line of argumentation. This required careful editorial coordination, and we are grateful to all the authors for bearing with us throughout the slow genesis of the book and for complying with our requests for extensive revision of some of the manuscripts.

The present book is based on the conference Software Development and Reality Construction held at SchloB Eringerfeld in Germany, September 25 - 30, 1988. This was organized by the Technical University of Berlin (TUB) in cooperation with the German National Research Center for Computer Science (GMD), Sankt Augustin, and sponsored by the Volkswagen Foundation whose financial support we gratefully acknowledge. The conference was an interdisciplinary scientific and cultural event aimed at promoting discussion on the nature of computer science as a scientific discipline and on the theoretical foundations and systemic practice required for human-oriented system design. In keeping with the conversational style of the conference, the book comprises a series of individual contributions, arranged so as to form a coherent whole. Some authors reflect on their practice in computer science and system design. Others start from approaches developed in the humanities and the social sciences for understanding human learning and creativity, individual and cooperative work, and the interrelation between technology and organizations. Thus, each contribution makes its specific point and can be read on its own merit. But, at the same time, it takes its place as a chapter in the book, along with all the other contributions, to give what seemed to us a meaningful overall line of argumentation. This required careful editorial coordination, and we are grateful to all the authors for bearing with us throughout the slow genesis of the book and for complying with our requests for extensive revision of some of the manuscripts.

Prototyping is an approach used in evolutionary systemdevelopment. In this book, the authors show which forms ofprototyping can be employed to tackle which problems. Theytake a look at the tools used in everyday softwaredevelopment with a view to determining their suitability forprototyping, and attempt to elucidate prototyping as amethodological concept.Part I of the book looks at prototyping as an approach forconstructing and evaluating models. Traditional approachesand phase-oriented life cycle plans are discussed.Prototyping overcomes fundamental problems associated withlife cycle plans. The authors present their own concept ofevolutionary system development.Part II shows to what extent technical support ofevolutionary system development is possible. Various toolsfor supporting prototyping are discussed and prospectivetrends are indicated. Criteria are listed to help the readerchoose between the various development environmentscurrently available or likely to become available in thenear future. Case studies are used to illustrate howprototype construction can be integrated in softwareprojects.

Prototyping is an approach used in evolutionary systemdevelopment. In this book, the authors show which forms ofprototyping can be employed to tackle which problems. Theytake a look at the tools used in everyday softwaredevelopment with a view to determining their suitability forprototyping, and attempt to elucidate prototyping as amethodological concept.Part I of the book looks at prototyping as an approach forconstructing and evaluating models. Traditional approachesand phase-oriented life cycle plans are discussed.Prototyping overcomes fundamental problems associated withlife cycle plans. The authors present their own concept ofevolutionary system development.Part II shows to what extent technical support ofevolutionary system development is possible. Various toolsfor supporting prototyping are discussed and prospectivetrends are indicated. Criteria are listed to help the readerchoose between the various development environmentscurrently available or likely to become available in thenear future. Case studies are used to illustrate howprototype construction can be integrated in softwareprojects.