Graphical computer programming

Abstract

A computer program product and method for using a computer program product for graphically developing a computer program for execution at least in part on a separate host processor device, such as, a digital signal processor. The computer program product includes code for providing a graphical programming environment. The computer code which is used for developing the computer program includes a cell module for graphically representing a graphical control. The cell module does not contain any host processor specific code. The cell module may include code for rendering on the display of the computer that is operating as the programming environment one or more graphical controls. The cell module may also contain host processor independent code that accepts input from a user (parameter value) and converts the parameter value or applies an equation to the parameter value. The computer program also includes a plurality of algorithm modules, wherein each algorithm module provides functional code for the graphical control. The functional code is host processor specific code. The computer program also includes computer code for associating the cell module with one or more of the plurality of algorithm modules for developing the computer program. The computer program also includes code for defining an execution path amongst the algorithm modules. This can be achieved by graphically connecting the cell modules and defining an input and output.