VisualWorks

VisualWorks
Name	VisualWorks
Developer	ParcPlace Systems, Cincom Systems
Released	0 1993
Programming language	Smalltalk
Operating system	Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS
Genre	Integrated development environment

VisualWorks. It is a cross-platform implementation of the Smalltalk programming language and integrated development environment, originally developed by ParcPlace Systems and now maintained by Cincom Systems. The environment is renowned for its pure object-oriented architecture, advanced tooling, and the Model–view–controller pattern which it helped popularize. It has been used for enterprise applications in sectors like finance, telecommunications, and logistics.

Overview

VisualWorks provides a comprehensive suite for developing and deploying sophisticated applications entirely within a dynamic, image-based system. Its core is a highly portable virtual machine that allows the same application code to run unchanged on major platforms like Microsoft Windows, various Unix flavors, and IBM mainframes. The system includes a vast class library covering areas from graphical user interface construction to complex database connectivity, notably through its ObjectStudio and GemStone integrations. This environment has been particularly influential in academic research and large-scale industrial projects requiring high reliability.

History

The origins of VisualWorks trace back to the seminal work at the Xerox PARC research center, which created the original Smalltalk-80 system. Key figures like Adele Goldberg and Dan Ingalls were instrumental in its early development. In the late 1980s, ParcPlace Systems was spun off from Xerox to commercialize the technology, leading to the release of ObjectWorks\Smalltalk. VisualWorks itself was launched in 1993, merging technologies from ParcPlace and Digitalk, another prominent Smalltalk vendor. In 1999, Cincom Systems, a provider of business software, acquired the assets and has been the primary steward since, continuing its development through numerous versions.

Architecture and features

At its heart, VisualWorks employs a bytecode interpreter and dynamic translation system for efficient execution. Its architecture is built around a fully reflective object model where every element, from classes to blocks of code, is a manipulable object. A defining feature is its implementation of the Model–view–controller paradigm, which became a cornerstone of modern GUI framework design. The system includes sophisticated features like change sets and Monticello for versioning, a powerful refactoring browser, and support for SOAP and REST web services. Its multithreading capabilities are managed through a process model that predates many operating system threads.

Development environment

The VisualWorks IDE is itself written in Smalltalk, offering a live programming experience where modifications to running code take effect immediately. Developers work within a persistent object memory image containing all application code and state. Key tools include the System Browser for navigating class hierarchies, a configurable Workspace for evaluating code snippets, a sophisticated Debugger with full stack inspection, and the Inspector for examining object state. The environment supports direct interaction with databases via ODBC and includes tools for building interfaces with its native Widgets or integrating with Java components.

Deployment and licensing

Applications built with VisualWorks can be deployed by saving a stripped runtime image or by generating standalone executables through a process called parcelling. Cincom offers several licensing models, including development subscriptions and runtime licenses for distributed applications. Historically, it competed with other commercial Smalltalk environments like IBM VisualAge and Dolphin Smalltalk. The virtual machine is available for platforms including AIX, HP-UX, and Solaris (operating system), in addition to more common desktop and server operating systems.

Influence and legacy

VisualWorks had a profound impact on software engineering, directly inspiring core concepts in later languages and frameworks such as Java, Ruby (programming language), and the Spring Framework. Its implementation of MVC was foundational for frameworks like Ruby on Rails and Apple Cocoa. The technology was used to build critical systems for organizations like the London Stock Exchange and JPMorgan Chase. While its market share diminished with the rise of Java Platform, Enterprise Edition, it remains a respected and actively maintained tool for complex, long-lived business applications, preserving the influential paradigms of the Smalltalk tradition.

Category:Smalltalk programming language family Category:Integrated development environments Category:Object-oriented programming languages Category:Cross-platform software