Constructing Distributed Groupware Systems

this paper. We are now exploring the construction of more complex systems with Wilde. RELATED WORK We are aware of research in the field of software composition which is broadly similar to our approach [Nierstrasz, 1995] [Helm et al., 1990] [Gelernter and Carriero, 1992]. However, our approach focuses on open systems construction based on component oriented, interface-based distributed technologies such as DCOM and CORBA. We are interested in achieving the flexibility of open systems without resorting to radically new object models or programming languages. Our approach is post compile time and largely independent of the language used to construct components. Most other research focuses on composition as a language construct that is lost at compile-time, and can therefore be regarded as a variant of framework and pattern research. Our application of open systems to groupware differs radically from platform based approaches, such as [Benford and Mariani, 1993], or toolkit based approaches, such as that of [Roseman and Greenberg, 1993]. We hold that groupware is best supported through an appropriate underlying object model that accommodates the variability of groupware. CONCLUS IONS Wilde does not aim to solve the high level problems of groupware, such as what model of data sharing to use in an application or how best to multi-cast user interface events. The goal of Wilde is to provide a better platform from which to address these issues. Wilde provides a very flexible application model based on the features we have identified as being fundamental to groupware. Wilde's model of an