Abstract
In this paper we present a new data structure which gives a steering capability to a computer-assisted scientific-simulation environment or a problem solving environment (PSE) for partial-differential-equations (PDEs)-based problems. One of the important key issues in PSE researches is a steering capability including the interaction between a PSE and a user. In order to tackle this key issue, the new data structure is proposed to introduce the process steering capability to the PSE. The data structure is used to describe PDEs, boundary conditions, the initial conditions, all processes including PDE discretization, equation manipulation and program generation, and a generated program flow. In the data structure each PDE, each term, each symbol, each process and each component of the generated program flow have their meanings, which are linked and referred by pointers. We apply the data structure to a PDEs PSE called NCAS system. Based on the proposed data structure, the steering capability is realized, and the PSE communicates with the user smoothly and flexibly through an interactive visual interface.
