Automatic graphics display management for abstract data types in Papillon prototype

Abstract

The provision of graphical representations of data types used within nongraphical applications has proved to be not only a valuable technique for increasing usability and user comprehension, but also a time-consuming and error-prone task. The methods most commonly used (simply hardwiring a particular representation into the application) can result in a good interface component, but has the disadvantage that representations are fixed and cannot be modified without major effort. The paper describes a technique used with much success in the Papillon project, which provides tools for automatic management of representations associated with abstract data types, allowing both designer and user to redefine the display formats using a graphical editor.