Architecture for Hybrid Language Systems

Abstract

An architecture for hybrid language systems is presented. A hybrid language has features of both textual languages and visual languages. Textual languages are computer-oriented and are geared toward storage, syntax analysis, and editing. On the other hand, visual languages are human-oriented and are geared toward expressive power, understandability, direct manipulation, and learning cost. Although a hybrid language system has the advantages of both textual and visual languages, general architectures to develop the corresponding programming environment considering real-time processing, synchronization, and multiple platforms have not yet been proposed. In the present paper, an architecture for hybrid language systems that support the development of new hybrid languages and the corresponding programming environments is presented. Implementation methods based on this architecture is demonstrated, and a case study is presented.