What are PSEs?

"A PSE is a computer system that provides all the computational facilities needed to solve a target class of problems. These features include advanced solution methods, automatic and semiautomatic selection of solution methods, and ways to easily incorporate novel solution methods. Moreover, PSEs use the language of the target class of problems, so users can run them without specialized knowledge of the underlying computer hardware or software. By exploiting modern technologies such as interactive color graphics, powerful processors, and networks of specialized services, PSEs can track extended problem solving tasks and allow users to review them easily. Overall, they create a framework that is all things to all people: they solve simple or complex problems, support rapid prototyping or detailed analysis, and can be used in introductory education or at the frontiers of science."

Comments, questions, suggestions? Contact Ann Christine Catlin acc@cs.purdue.edu.
Last modified: Fri Mar 19 8:03:00 EST 1998