Application of Smalltalk language for accelerator control

This paper describes the results of studies for object-oriented control system creation. Using VisualWorks environment based on Smalltalk we created a set of programs, such as Control Model Editor, Control Model Scanner and Control Views, for developing and running an object-oriented model of an accelerator. Our system allows the user to easily create a class library which can be used to develop a number of control programs. The object model defines the object under control, the control logic and graphics for displaying control objects' states. Our experience shows that object-oriented software development is faster compared with traditional languages, and provides more functionality. VisualWorks is a multiplatform environment, and all applications can be ported to different operating systems with only minor changes. VisualWorks also provides high performance, which is important for time-critical control applications. (orig.)