Abstract: A protocol designer uses an integrated development environment that integrates the editing of protocols and stacks along with the ability to compile the edited protocols. A protocol stack window is opened on a display for creating a new protocol stack or for retrieving and modifying an existing protocol stack. A protocol may be selected from the protocol stack and protocol specific information is provided in a stack information window on the display. Also a selected protocol listing may be displayed in a protocol editor window on the display. The protocol listing may be edited and then compiled as the modified protocol. Any compilation errors are indicated in a compilation results window. Indicated compilation errors point to the line of the listing in the protocol editor window where the error exists, which line may be highlighted.