Nowadays, with an increase in requests from users for easily used and personalized workstations, it is necessary to promote basic research into software development techniques, including new languages and communication software, in the network environment. This book contains the results of a joint research project between IBM Japan and twelve universities, the purpose of which was to implement prototypes of some of the technologies that are feasible at current research levels. The project was organized into three groups: 1) paradigms for software development, processing, and communication, 2) natural-language interfaces, and 3) software development environments with related operating systems. The results may be implemented as research tools, possibly for business use, in the field of software development techniques.

Associate editor: Toshiko Matsuda