Abstract
An approach to the design of effective computer-based systems is discussed. This approach exploits the user's traditional diagrammatic notations in an effort to achieve usability for experts other than computer professionals. Notations are formalized as visual languages, thus allowing the design of visual editors, interpreters, and compilers. The users themselves exploit these tools to define a hierarchy of environments by a bootstrapping approach. By navigating within these environments, they can progressively design visual interfaces and computing tools that allow them not only to execute the required computational tasks, but also to gain insight into and control the computational process, and check the results.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Accomazzi A, Bordogna G, Mussio P, Rampini A (1989) An approach to heuristic exploitation of astronomers' knowledge in automatic interpretation of optical pictures. In: Heck A, Murtagh F (eds) Knowledge-based systems in astronomy. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 191–212
Arbib MA, Manes EG (1975) Arrows, structures and functors — the categorical imperative. Academic Press, London
Barichella E, Beretta M, Dioguardi N, Mussio P, Padula M, Pietrogrande M, Protti M (1990) A visual environment for liver simulation studies. In: Korfhage R, Ichikawa T, Jungert E (eds) Visual languages and applications. Plenum Press, New York London, pp 255–275
Beretta M, Mussio P, Protti M (1986) ICONS: interpretation and use. In: IEEE Workshop on Visual Languages, pp 149–158 reprinted. In: Glinert EP (ed) Visual Programming Environments, Paradigms and Systems. IEEE Computer Society Press, Los Alamitos, 1990, pp 247–256
Bordegoni M, Cugini U, Motta R, Rizzi C (1990) An environment for user interface development based on the ATN and Petri Nets notation. In: Duce DA, Gomes MR, Hopgood FRA, Lee JR (eds) Proc Workshop on User Interface Management and Design. Springer Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 231–245
Bottoni P, Mussio P, Protti M, Schettini R (1989) Knowledgebased contextual recognition and sieving of digital images. Pattern Recogn Lett 10(2):101–110
Chang SK (1989) Principles of pictorial information systems design. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs
Chang SK, Tauber MS, Yu B, Yu JS (1989) A visual language compiler. IEEE Trans Softw Eng 15(5):506–525
Colombo G, Ferretti D, Folini F (1991) G.I.P.S.: an example of integration between parametric design and design rules in a 2-D CAD system. To appear in: Proc Workshop on Geometric Modeling, IFIP WG 5.2. Rensselair Ville, New York
Dacey MF (1970) The syntax of a triangle and some other figures. Pattern Recogn 2(1):11–31
De Young L (1990) Linking considered harmful. In: Rirk A, Streitz N, Andreè J (eds) Proc ECHT: Hypertext: concepts, systems and applications. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 238–249
Dioguardi N (1984) Il Fegato un Sistema Aperto. Masson Italia, Milano
Foley J (1986) Guest editor's introduction: special issues on user interface software. ACM Trans Graph 5(2):75–78
Green M (1986) A survey of three dialogue models. ACM Trans Graph 5(3):244–275
Hartson HR, Hix D (1989) Human-computer interface development: concepts and systems for its management. ACM Comput Surv 21 (1):5–92
Jacob RJK (1985) A state diagram language for visual programming. Computer 18 (8):51–59
Jensen EG, Hines RD (1979) Interpreting engineering drawings. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York
Lakin F, Wanbaugh J, Leifer L, Cannon D, Sivard C (1989) The electronic design notebook: performing medium and processing medium. The Visual Computer 5(4):214–226
Montalvo FS (1990) Diagram understanding. The symbolic descriptions behind the scenes. In: Korfage R, Ichikawa T, Jungert E (eds) Visual languages and applications. Plenum Press, New York London, pp 5–27
Mussio P, Padula M, Protti M (1988) Attributed conditional L-systems: a tool for image description. In: Proc. 9th Int Conf Pattern Recogn, IEEE Press, pp 607–609
Mussio P, Pietrogrande M, Protti M (1991) Simulation of hepatological models: a study in visual interactive exploration of scientific problems. J Visual Lang Comput 2(1):75–95
Negroponte N (1989) An iconoclastic view beyond the desktop metaphor. Int J Human-computer Interact 1(1):109–113
Salomaa A (1973) Formal languages. Academic Press, New York
Shaw AC (1969) The formal picture description scheme as a basis for picture processing systems. Inf Control 14:9–52
Stefik M, Bobrow DG (1986) Object-oriented programming: themes and variations. Al Mag 6(4):40–62
van Dam A (1988) Hypertext '87 keynote address. Commun ACM 31(7):887–895
Varela FJ (1979) Principles of biological autonomy. North Holland, New York Oxford
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mussio, P., Finadri, M., Gentini, P. et al. A bootstrap approach to visual user-interface design and development. The Visual Computer 8, 75–93 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01900550
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01900550