Project ID:
RFP-2008-043
Title:
ECLiPSe Learning and Development Environment
Summary:
Building an interactive learning and development environment for the ECLiPSe algorithm development platform.
Full Description:
Policy control, search and optimization algorithms are pervasive in the
field of network design and management. The ECLiPSe Constraint Logic
Programming System (www.eclipse-clp.org) can assist with its rapid algorithm prototyping and its constraint solving and optimization capabilities.
In order to widen the circle of problem owners and software developers that can make effective use of this tool, we are looking into ways of making the learning curve smoother.
An integrated development platform like eclipse (www.eclipse.org - the similarity of names is coincidental) can help with this task. A basic ECLiPSe/eclipse integration exists in the form of Saros v1(available from eclipse-clp.org), which focuses the execution and debugging environment. In addition, there is a substantial body of existing tutorial material in written form. The objective of this new proposal is
twofold: to elaborate the development environment component, and to add a new component to integrate interactive learning facilities.
The work on the development environment consists in adding features like fully syntax-aware editing and code manipulation, context-sensitive help and code completion, project management and test support, and other qualities to make development more streamlined and efficient.
The learning component will consist of interactive online course material for self-study, which would enable users with a general technical, software development background to become sufficiently proficient in ECLiPSe to solve basic simulation and search problems and to build up the confidence to tackle their own real life problems using ECLiPSe.
We invite applications from individuals or groups who have experience in teaching the use of the Constraint Logic Programming paradigm in general, or the ECLiPSe system in particular, and who have an interest in developing interactive course material. We are also looking for an understanding of application development methodology, and an interest in building corresponding tools within a development environment.
Constraints and other information:
ECLiPSe is owned by Cisco Systems, Inc., but is open-sourced under a MPL license (http://eclipse.crosscoreop.com/licence/). The terms of this open source license will apply as usual to ECLiPSe's enhancements and extensions, and Cisco strongly prefers that any other results of the project be open-sourced under this same licence, and available for unrestricted commercial use.
Proposal submission:
Cisco is not currently accepting proposals for this RFP.
Questions? Contact: research@cisco.com
