A fully integrated environment for layered development in information systems

This paper describes an experiment conducted into the use of hypermedia as an integrated information system development tool. The use of hypertext as a software engineering development tool has been extensively explored with notable success. This has led to the derivation and development of the fully integrated environment for layered development (FIELD) system. To supplement the investigations, a complex environmental control organization, the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Authority was used as a case study. The development of FIELD and its use for the documentation and development of a prototype information system for the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Authority is described and the overall methodological implications for future information system development is discussed. It is postulated that the development of such a complex information system may be improved by this method of using hypertext. This paper reports on the initial findings of the experiment into the properties of hypermedia as used in this manner, and the appropriateness of these ideas and their implementation for general applications.