Timeliner Integrated Development Environment

Abstract

The Timeliner system is used for controlling experiments aboard the International Space Station. Timeliner scripts are typically written in a generic text editor and turned into executable byte code by a command-line compiler. Script writers have no assistance during the development process, resulting in error-prone scripts and a prolonged development cycle. The Timeliner Integrated Development Environment (TIDE) is an environment built on top of the Eclipse Platform that assists developers with their tasks, and allows for any person to easily and quickly develop a Timeliner script. TIDE incorporates existing Timeliner stand-alone tools and contributes an editor with custom language definitions, a database browser, incremental compilation, and integrated help.