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The theoretical basis for this thesis can be found in the subject of differential geometry where both line and surface curvature is a core feature. We begin with a review of curvature basics, establish notational conventions, and contribute new results (on n-cuts) which are of importance for this thesis. A new scale invariant curvature measure is presented. Even though curvature of continuous smooth lines and surfaces is a well-defined property, when working with digital surfaces, curvature can only be estimated. We review the nature of digitized surfaces and present a number of curvature estimators, one of which (the 3-cut mean estimator) is new. We also develop an estimator for our new scale invariant curvature measure, and apply it to digital surfaces. Surface curvature maps are defined and examples are presented. A number of curvature visualization examples are provided. In practical applications, the noise present in digital surfaces usually precludes the possibility of direct curvature calculation. We address this noise problem with solutions including a new 2.5D filter. Combining techniques, we introduce a data processing pipeline designed to generate surface registration markers which can be used to identify correspondences between multiple surfaces. We present a method (projecting curvature maps) in which high resolution detail is merged with a simplified mesh model for visualization purposes. Finally, we present the results of experiments (using texture projection merging and image processing assisted physical measurement) in which we have identified, characterized, and produced visualizations of selected fine surface detail from a digitization of Michelangelo’s David statue.

Diagram construction can be used to visually analyse and design a complex software system using natural, graphical representations describing high-level structure and semantics. Textual programming can specify detailed documentation and functionality not well expressed at a visual level. Integrating multiple textual and graphical views of software development allows programmers to utilise both representations as appropriate. Consistency management between these views must be automatically maintained by the development environment. MViews, a model for such software development environments, has been developed. MViews supports integrated textual and graphical views of software development with consistency management. MViews provides flexible program and view representation using a novel object dependency graph approach. Multiple views of a program may contain common information and are stored as graphs with textual or graphical renderings and editing. Change propagation between program components and views is supported using a novel update record mechanism. Different editing tools are integrated as views of a common program repository and new program representations and editors can be integrated without affecting existing views. A specification language for program and view state and manipulation semantics, and a visual specification language for view appearance and editing semantics, have been developed. An object-oriented architecture based on MViews abstractions allows environment specifications to be translated into a design for implementing environments. Environment designs are implemented by specialising a framework of object-oriented language classes based on the MViews architecture. A new language is described which provides object-oriented extensions to Prolog. An integrated software development environment for this language is discussed and the specification, design and implementation of this environment using MViews are described. MViews has also been reused to produce a graphical entity-relationship/textual relational database schema modeller, a dialogue painter with a graphical editing view and textual constraints view, and various program visualisation systems.

The objective of this thesis has been to explore the value and limitations of Class, an object-oriented programming language, in order to further the development of the language. The pivot for this thesis is WallBrace, a code-checking system. The development of the WallBrace system is the basis of a critique of Class, and leads to a number of language extensions being proposed. An important aim in this work has been the careful integration of these enhancements with the rest of the language, avoiding unnecessary additions. A number of functional and object-oriented extensions to the language are proposed. Discrimination functions, which may be higher-order and polymorphic, add considerable functional power. Generic classes allow for abstract data types, such as sets and lists, to be defined within the language. The forms interface proposed will greatly enhance the quality of user interfaces to Class programs. An external interface will allow Class programs to communicate with files, databases, and specialist user-interface programs, such as for plan entry.