Knowledge based support of users of numerical programs

Abstract

Numerical programs are often difficult to use for people who were not involved in their development. Knowledge necessary for the use of the program can be included in a user interface. Often, further improvements are possible when the user interface gives the appropriate support. The user task can be modified by the introduction of a good user interface such, that less knowledge is necessary. The remaining knowledge can be inserted in a knowledge base, coupled to the user interface. The real improvement comes often from the fact that a good user interface makes it possible to work in a way which requires less knowledge. The role of knowledge analysis and (cognitive) task analysis is indispensable. Prototyping starting from such an analysis gives a better prospect for few iteration and a good final system