SK8 - The SK8 Environment

The SK8 Environment

SK8 features:

• A prototype-based, fully dynamic object system
• An English-like scripting language supporting complex declarative operations on collections
• A general and extensive graphics and event system based on containment and sophisticated rendering
• A rich object framework with support for multimedia and for tool building, fully integrated with the operating system environment.
• A feature-rich, direct manipulation development environment

The scripting language, graphics system, application framework, user interface, and various editors are explained in the User Guide.

SK8's scripting language was the first prototype implementation of AppleScript; later on it was renamed SK8Script. One of the major uses of the system was by Apple's QA group to create an automated black-box testing system. The system was used to develop prototypes for Newton, QuickTime interfaces, interprocess communication, and was used to prototype many titles, including Stagecraft, a learning tool for children. SK8's scripting technology was transferred to Kaleida (a joint Apple/IBM venture), and many projects. Outside Apple, SK8 has been seeded to over one hundred sites for evaluation and prototyping.

SK8 developers have created projects in a matter of hours. SK8 can be used to create tools designed to address specific needs. For example, media producers could create projects with time-based, event-driven and interactive book/movie sections thus adding depth and richness not available in today's authoring tools.