PROXHY : a process-oriented extensible hypertext architecture

Typescript (photocopy).This research describes a new architecture for hypertext environments. The architecture merges the process, object-oriented, and hypertext models to provide hypertext services to object-based, distributed, application components. Through this architecture, applications are integrated to form a comprehensive hypertext computing environment, allowing links to connect applications or objects in different applications. The architecture separates hypertext and application functionality so that multiple applications can use the facilities of a common hypertext layer. The design of the architecture is such that components can be extended or tailored in order to support future applications, multimedia objects, or the needs of specific applications or users. The process-based, object-oriented framework allows objects of arbitrary complexity to live and interact in a hypertext world. Additionally, the protocol and facilities which support component interaction provide location transparency, arbitrary object granularity, and parallel computation over a network. This dissertation provides a conceptual model of hypertext and a general architecture for hypertext system construction. Related literature from object-oriented programming, operating systems, multimedia applications, and database is discussed in terms of the architecture. A hypertext data model, computational model, and hypertext system taxonomy are used to discuss the capabilities of current hypertext systems. Interaction scenarios are provided in order to illustrate object interaction and the distribution of work among the components of the architecture. A prototype system, implemented to demonstrate the feasibility of the architecture, is discussed. The prototype illustrates all aspects of the architecture including distributed application and hypertext components, cross-application linking, and anchors acting as proxy objects for applications. Application scenarios, problems and limitations, and future research issues provide an understanding of the power of the architecture and its potential for impacting the design of next-generation hypertext systems