from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
visual programming environment
Software which allows the use of visual expressions (such as
graphics, drawings, animation or {icons}) in the process of
programming. These visual expressions may be used as
graphical interfaces for textual programming languages. They
may be used to form the syntax of new visual programming
languages leading to new paradigms such as {programming by
demonstration} or they may be used in graphical presentations
of the behaviour or structure of a program.
(1995-02-23)