A graphics facility for interactive simulation : A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Horticultural Science (Honours) in the University of Canterbury

Abstract

A facility to enable the interactive use of the graphics package on the Lincoln College VAX computers has been programmed and incorporated into the library of graphics subroutines. This new procedure, which does not interfere with the existing use of the graphics package, gives programmers the option to have graphs drawn without intermediate commands on the graphics terminal. Previously, an intermediate file of graphics instructions was created and subsequently interpreted by running a separate program to produce the final graph. This has extended the range of applications of the graphics package to include computer assisted learning using graphically presented simulation results. A program simulating the predator-prey relationship of mites in an orchard environment has been rewritten to take advantage of the interactive graphics facility.These enhancements are used to investigate this relationship and provide students of entomology with an improved means of observing the effects of temperature and control strategies on the mite populations.