Visual Programming Language Research Articles

SonifyIt: Towards Transformative Sound for All Robots

Transformative robot sound yields perceptual, functional, and social benefits in human-robot interactions, but broader research and implementation related to this topic is impeded by the lack of a common sound generation system for robots. Such a system could enable a wide array of situated robot sound studies, smoother collaborations with sound designers than current state of the art methods, and broader adoption of transformative robot sound. Based on other successful open-source projects in the robotics community, we integrated Robot Operating System, a popular robotics middleware, and Pure Data, a visual programming language for multimedia, to enable live sound synthesis and sample playback for robots. This sound generation system synthesized sound in an in-the-wild pilot study with positive qualitative results. Furthermore, an online within-subjects survey study with <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N=96$</tex-math></inline-formula> showed that the proposed sound system made the robot seem warmer, happier, and more energetic. This work benefits robotics researchers by providing the current sound system as a validated artifact and demonstrating its potential impact on broader robotics applications. We plan to develop this software into an open-source package: SonifyIt.

Tüm Arama Uzayı Taranarak Kaynak Dengeleme Probleminin Optimum Çözülmesi

İnşaat süresi boyunca kaynak kullanımında gözlemlenen dalgalanmaların proje süresinde gecikme olmadan asgari düzeye indirilmesi kaynak dengeleme problemi olarak tanımlanır. Bu problem basit kurallar içeren sezgisel, sistematik fakat rassal biçimde arama uzayını tarayan üst-sezgisel ve analitik yöntemlerle çözülmektedir. Ancak aktivite sayısının artması ile arama uzayı çok büyüyen kaynak dengeleme probleminin çözümünde oluşan sorunlara karşı belirtilen yöntemler yetersiz kalmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, aktiviteler arasındaki kısıtlar ihlal edilmeden kritik olmayan aktivitelerin ertelenmesi ile kaç farklı şekilde uygulanabilir çözüm elde edilebileceği hesaplanarak kaynak dengeleme probleminin arama uzayının büyüklüğü belirlenmiştir. Belirlenen arama uzayının tamamı taranarak uygulanabilir en iyi çözüm garantili biçimde elde edilmiştir. Kaynak dağılımının uygunluğu minimum moment ölçeği ile incelenmiştir. Yöntemin uygulanabilmesi için bir hesap tablosu uygulaması oluşturularak Visual Basic programlama dilinde makro yazılmıştır. Literatürden derlenen 27 kaynak dengeleme probleminin geliştirilen yöntemle optimum çözümü elde edilmiştir. Hesap cetveline kaynak dengeleme probleminin nasıl tanıtılacağı çözülen problemler arasından seçilen 2 örnek problem üzerinde detaylı biçimde anlatılarak yöntemin tüm araştırmacılar tarafından uygulanabilmesi sağlanmıştır. Ayrıca geliştirilen yöntem çözüm süresini kısaltmak için C++ dilinde de kodlanmıştır. Test problemleri genetik algoritmayla çözülmüş, hesaplama süreleri ve sunduğu sonuçlar önerilen yöntemin çıktıları ile karşılaştırılmıştır. Çözüm süresi ve çözüm iyiliğinin karşılaştırılması sonucunda geliştirilen yöntemin kaynak dengeleme probleminin kesin çözümünde uygulanabilir olduğu belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca çalışma kaynak dengeleme probleminin arama uzayını belirleyen bir yöntem geliştirerek literatüre katkı sağlamaktadır.

Differential evolutionary cuckoo-search-integrated tabu-adaptive pattern search (DECS-TAPS): a novel multihybrid variant of swarm intelligence and evolutionary algorithm in architectural design optimization and automation

Abstract One of the critical limitations in architectural design optimization (ADO) is slow convergence due to high-dimensional and multiscale variables. For the rapid and optimal digital prototyping of architectural forms, this paper proposes a novel metaheuristic optimization technique that hybridizes standard low-level algorithms: the differential evolutionary cuckoo-search-integrated tabu-adaptive pattern search (DECS-TAPS). We compared DECS-TAPS to 10 major standard algorithms and 31 hybrids through 14 benchmark tests and investigated multi-objective ADO problems to prove the computational effectiveness of multiple algorithm hybridization. Our findings show that DECS-TAPS is vastly efficient and superior to the covariance matrix adaptation evolution strategy algorithm in multifunnel and weak structural functions. The global sensitivity analysis demonstrated that integrating multiple algorithms is likely conducive to lowering parameter dependence and increasing robustness. For the practical application of DECS-TAPS in building simulation and design automation, Zebroid—a Rhino Grasshopper (GH) add-on—was developed using IronPython and the GH visual scripting language.

ABOUT USING THE GAME ENGINES IN SHIPBUILDING, SOFTWARE DEVELOPER’S PERSPECTIVE

During the development of the ShipExplorer[1][2] suit of the programs, every single detail was carefully designed and implemented using low level libraries like OpenGL. The result was very sophisticated, quality program that delivered top performance with wonderful user experience. However, development of new features required theoretical and practical knowledge about many different disciplines starting from linear algebra, knowledge of OpenGL internals, and proficiency in C++ programming language. The additional problem was that every new hardware target, like mobile phones, or various HMD models had to be addressed particularly, without any code sharing. At the same time, new class of programs started appearing, so-called “Game Engine”[3] programs. This class of programs promised maximum results with a minimum effort. Screenshots with spectacular graphics and pre-generated movies were available, showing the output of these programs. Also, “out of the box” support for all major platforms and various hardware was claimed. Taken together, it was enough to rise a question if approach of using low level libraries was a correct approach in the presence of the tools like “Unreal Engine” or “Unity”. In this paper, author’s experience in working and extending Unreal Engine, will be presented. Problems using C++ programming language and internal “Blueprint” visual scripting in Unreal Engine will be analyzed. Scenario of usage as a visualization and annotation tool will be evaluated and compared to the possible alternative approaches.

Modeling and recognition of emotions in manufacturing

New consumer needs have led industries to the possibility of creating virtual platforms where users can customize products by creating infinite combinations of different results. This made it possible to expand sales by guaranteeing a wide choice that would satisfy all requests. The dynamic and flexible evolution of factories is guaranteed by the introduction of new technologies such as robotization and 3D printers, recognized as two of the pillars of Industry 4.0. The main aim of this paper is to achieve a workflow for the creation and implementation of personalised jewellery based on faces with different emotional expressions. To date, there are few works in the literature investigating the intersection between smart manufacturing and emotion recognition, and these are mainly related to improving human–machine interaction. The authors’ aim is to research for innovation in the intersection of three different fields of study such as parametric modelling, smart manufacturing and emotion recognition in order to create personalized and innovative manufacturable models. To this purpose, an application has been generated that exploits both visual scripting, typical of parametric modelling, and scripting, in the Python programming language. The generated algorithm implements a machine learning for emotion recognition that identifies the label of each user-generated face, validating the effectiveness of the method.

An artistic analysis model based on sequence cartoon images for scratch

With the development of visual programming languages, researchers pay attention to the automatic evaluation of visual projects. Previous work focus on the code evaluation but ignored another essential part—the visualization results. Scratch is a widely used programming platform, and projects created on it are displayed in the form of cartoon clips. It is valuable to explore the visual aesthetics embodied in these clips to fill the gap in the assessment system. We propose a model that predicts the human view scores of cartoon clips created on Scratch. Our method is divided into two steps to evaluate the aesthetic of the sequence images that compose cartoon clips. First, we train an image classification network to predict the relative aesthetics of individual images. Then we construct an aesthetic space for the sequence image and improve the rating within a specific range. We put forward ScratchGAN to generate a Scratch-cartoon-style aesthetic analysis data set for training the classification network. Experimental results show that our Generative Adversarial Network framework can well transform photos into a Scratch-cartoon style. The single image assessment network can generate predictions that fit human cartoon aesthetic opinions. Our method achieves satisfactory results in the aesthetic evaluation of sequence cartoon images.

VPL-based Code Compliance Checking for Building Envelope Design Using OTTV Calculation

Building Envelope plays a vital role in reducing thermal loads, minimizing energy consumption, and ensuring sustainability. The Overall Thermal Transfer Value (OTTV) is a recognized method to evaluate the thermal performance of buildings. Building Information Modelling (BIM) has added great value to the AEC industry as an efficient tool to facilitate the building design process. With the development of BIM, more properties and material characteristics are assigned to the project design and building model that are getting more complex. Meanwhile, performing OTTV assessment and checking compliance with the assigned values involving time-consuming calculations with the possibility of ambiguity. Hence, automation of the code compliance checking process has become on-demand within the BIM environment. The objective is to develop a Visual Programming Language (VPL)-based script for automating the OTTV rule-based code compliance checking process. The applied method is to integrate BIM, VPL, and OTTV requirements; and develop a visual script that is responsible for extracting parameters from the BIM model, performing OTTV calculation, comparing output with assigned standard values of OTTV aiming answering the research question whether automated code compliance checking process can contribute to code compliance facilitation effectively. The results indicate that integrating VPL into the code compliance checking process has promising signs in facilitating the compliance checking process, increasing the accuracy and reliability of outcomes.

Block-Based Object-Oriented Programming

Object-oriented programming (OOP) is not only an integral part of computing degrees but also a requirement in non-computing majors such as engineering. Understanding OOP concepts can be difficult for novice programmers, and often leads to the development of misconceptions. This is exacerbated when the discipline requires students to learn a technical low-level language such as C++, as is the case in many engineering disciplines. We propose a block-based programming language extension, Blockly-OOP, to help students learn core OOP concepts without the technical complexities associated with traditional textual languages. The Blockly-OOP Learning Environment was developed by integrating Blockly-OOP with learning activities that guide students through programming exercises that target popular OOP misconceptions. An evaluation ( <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">n</i> = 238) in a second-year programming course (CS2) showed that a block-based programming language helps students improve their understanding of object-oriented concepts, warranting further research in this area.

A Software System for A Finite State Machine (FSM)

Abstract: A finite-state machine (FSM) is a computational mathematical model. For design and analysis, circuits and system operations can be represented in a variety of ways. FSM is one of the methods for using a drawing to represent the operations of many circuits and systems in electronic engineering, computer engineering, and so on. In terms of design, the finite state machine is a very simple machine. It is made up of a set of input symbols, output symbols, and states that must be designed. Furthermore, a function of input and output symbols with the current state to give the next state must be present. To simulate the Finite State machine, a software simulator is implemented in this paper using the Visual Basic programming language (in terms of design and operation).Several general examples are represented in this model. However, the software can be used to teach students about FSM and how it works.

Parametric and Visual Programming BIM Applied to Museums, Linking Container and Content

In recent years we have been experiencing an ever-increasing number of Building Modeling Modeling (BIM) and Visual Programming Language (VPL) approaches in the architectural design field. These experiments have inspired new research strictly focused on exploring values, criticalities, and the advantages of applying these combined methodologies in the Cultural Heritage domain. This integrated approach has emphasized the benefits derived from HBIM. The next step is to critically evaluate the application of BIM and VPL processes used in the management and valorisation of museum heritage, pursuing both parametric and algorithmic approaches. The research group worked on building a model that shared the BIM hierarchical structure and the flexibility of the VPL methodologies. Semi-automatic procedures were developed within a rigorous BIM workflow, with the help of Autodesk and McNeel tools, to show and manage complex museum management phenomena. These procedures aimed to respond to three different objectives. First, the need to associate information from the Facility Report to the individual BIM components to predict and monitor the conditions in which museum collections are found. Second, the intention to measure the attractiveness of the artifacts within the exhibition project and the design effects for a correct prefiguration of visitor flows. Third, the elements involved included the exhibition area obtained from an HBIM model (converted into a visual field through interoperable processes), the digitized collections (the attractive elements), the users and, finally, the numerical evaluation of the visibility of specific objects within collections by simulating the human point of view. Once automated, the devised procedures can be considered a prototype to support curators in controlling and improving the efficiency of the exhibition layout.

Book Catalog Application In Man 2 Bengkulu City Using The Levenstein Distance Algorithm

MAN 2 Bengkulu City is one of the public madrasah aliyah schools in Bengkulu City. The school already has a library which is used as a medium for library members or users to search for books, read books, and borrow books. So far, the library at MAN 2 Bengkulu City is still conventional and has not used related applications in terms of searching book catalogs. Members/librarians come to the library and look directly at each shelf to pick up the desired book. In addition, the data processing of the book catalog has not utilized the office application package, all book data is processed using double polio paper that has been prepared. The book catalog application at MAN 2 Bengkulu City is an application that can be used to facilitate the library in managing book data, members, borrowing, and returning books and can print the output needed in archiving library data. The book catalog application at MAN 2 Bengkulu City has applied the Levenstein Distance Algorithm which is used to facilitate the search for books when the book borrowing process is carried out. The book catalog application at MAN 2 Bengkulu City was made using the Visual Basic programming language.

SCRATCH to R: Toward an Inclusive Pedagogy in Teaching Coding

SCRATCH, developed by the Media Lab at MIT, is a kid-friendly visual programming language, designed to introduce programming to children and teens in a “more thinkable, more meaningful, and more social” way. Although it was initially intended for K-12 students, educators have used it for higher education as well, and found it particularly helpful for those who haven’t had the privilege of learning coding before college. In this article, we propose using SCRATCH to create an interactive and fun project for introduction as a gateway to learn R in introductory or intermediate statistics courses. We begin with a literature review on recent K-12 computing education, as well as how visual coding has been used in college classrooms as an aid for teaching syntax-based coding. Then, we explain the design of the proposed project and share the observations from a pilot study in a liberal arts college with 39 students who had diverse coding experiences. We find that the most disadvantaged students are not those with no coding experience, but those with poor prior coding experience or with low coding self-efficacy. This innovative SCRATCH-to-R approach also offers us a pathway toward an inclusive pedagogy in teaching coding.

Engaging girls in computer science: gender differences in attitudes and beliefs about learning scratch and python

ABSTRACT Background and Context A continued gender disparity has driven a need for effective interventions for recruiting girls to computer science. Prior research has demonstrated that middle school girls hold beliefs and attitudes that keep them from learning computer science, which can be mitigated through classroom design. Objective This study investigated whether programming environment design has a similar effect, to assess the potential utility of block-based programming (Scratch) for recruiting girls to computer science compared to traditional text-based programming (Python). Method One hundred and eighty-seven upper elementary and middle school students were surveyed to understand stereotype concern, sense of belonging, interest, and self-efficacy at baseline and after being shown each programming environment. Findings Results indicated that stereotype concern was high for girls across all three conditions. Significantly more girls than boys showed interest in learning computer science in Scratch compared to Python. Belonging, interest, and self-efficacy were inter-correlated for both genders. Implications Although girls demonstrated low self-efficacy across all conditions, more girls showed interest in learning to program through Scratch. Additionally, both girls and boys demonstrated higher self-efficacy in Scratch than in Python. This suggests that using block-based programming languages may be effective for recruiting girls to study computer science.

Impact of Web-Based Learning Tools in Instructional Delivery of Computer Programming in Universities in Developing Countries

This research is focused on determining the impact of web-based learning tools in computer programming language for instructional delivery in computer education in universities in Enugu State. 74 second-year students from Enugu State University and University of Nigeria participated in this research. Due to the manageable size of the population, a total population sampling technique was adopted. The Visual Basic Programming Achievement Test (VBPAT), devised by the researcher, was utilized to collect data for this research. This research adopted Cronbach's Alpha coefficient to test the reliability. Statistic package for social science was used to test the pre-test and post-test. The test scores generated from the pre-test and post-test were analyzed using VBPAT. Mean was used to answer the research questions and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to test the three hypotheses formulated that guided the study at a 0.5 level of significance (SPSS). Students in the experimental group were given a structured questionnaire to gauge their interest in learning Visual Basic Programming Language when taught via a web-based learning strategy. Students show a high interest level in learning visual basic programming language utilizing a web-based learning technique. Furthermore, results of the hypothesis test demonstrated a major distinction in mean achievement scores between learners that were trained on Visual Basic Programming via a web-based learning strategy and those trained via traditional teaching technique. For this reason, it was recommended that a web-based learning technique is more effective than traditional teaching methods in enhancing students' Visual Basic Programming achievement.

Construction of a Landscape Design and Greenery Maintenance Scheduling System Based on Multimodal Intelligent Computing and Deep Neural Networks.

Digitalization brings challenges and new opportunities to the development of landscape gardening, “smart gardening,” which is a product of landscape gardening in response to the development of the digital era. Based on the multimodal intelligent computing method and deep neural network machine learning algorithm, this paper adopts “digital landscape design logic” to analyze and research smart gardens and digital design. The digital landscape design process and methods are discussed based on design logic, design basis, environment analysis, and results presentation, and the greenery maintenance scheduling system is constructed. The paper focuses on the digital implementation of the environmental analysis of the site and uses Rhino software and Grasshopper visual programming language to build parametric logic, establish parametric analysis models, and conduct a comprehensive analysis of the current environment. The main theme of the whole paper is a logical approach to digital landscape design for smart gardens, using digital technology tools from the perspective of smart garden thinking, combining quantitative analysis and qualitative design, and intervening in digital landscape garden planning and design to explore the application of digital technology and tools.

Designed an Inactive Archives Management Information System Using Visual Basic 2010 at The Department of Community Empowerment and Village West Java Province

In the field of archive depots, the West Java Province Village and Community Empowerment Service offers inactive archive management as one of its services. The West Java Province Village and Community Empowerment Service is responsible for keeping, organizing, and safeguarding archives that have been in the processing unit for more than two years. The goal of this research is to help archivists manage inactive archives more effectively and efficiently. Material gathering tactics included interviews and the addition of inactive archive data based on data collected in each field. Software is designed using the waterfall process. According to the findings, there are a number of issues that impede the archive management system that still employs the manual method. As a result, in this study, an inactive records management information system was designed using the Unified Modeling Language (UML) and implemented using the Visual Basic programming language with the.NET framework 4.0 and Ms. Access as the database. An approach for testing applications is called black box testing. The goal of this application is to make archive administration more effective and efficient.

Virtual reality content creation based on self-contained components in the e-learning domain: Re-using pattern-based vr content in different authoring toolkits

In the context of e-learning, it is challenging to incorporate emerging technologies, such as alternate reality games or Virtual Reality (VR), within current learning trends. Microlearning is such a current trend. It divides large and complex chunks of content into small and elementary learning nuggets. These single self-contained nuggets are then composed to overarching lessons or courses. The concept of VR nuggets dovetails this educational trend. VR nuggets are standalone, self-contained, and rather short VR experiences that can be combined with other learning nuggets. By using initial implementations of VR nuggets, they can be used to let authors create VR earning content, for example, to let learners experience alternate realities. In this paper, we further investigate the VR nugget authoring concept and extent it. We introduce two novel authoring toolkits that rely on VR nuggets – one based on context-related module interaction (CoNMoD) and one based on visual scripting (ViNS Tiles). In two separate user studies, we examine the acceptance of the toolkits and compare them to existing authoring environments that also rely on VR nuggets but utilize different interface techniques. These studies’ results emphasize the importance of exchanging content between different established tools and indicate the acceptance of our tools regarding their hedonic and pragmatic qualities, also compared to existing tools from related work. As a conclusion, we propose an exchange format for VR nuggets that supports their reusability. It enables authors that use different toolkits to work together. They can utilize VR nuggets created with other toolkits and still use their own preferred toolkit. By means of an expert survey, we draw conclusions on technical aspects and a suitable platform to make VR nuggets available to the community. This survey indicates that potential authors would use such an exchange-approach for creating and presenting VR content and that they are willing to share their work and to contribute in a VR nugget authoring community.

Applied Methodology for Designing and Calculating a Family of Spur Gear Pumps

The paper presents in an applicative manner a parameter-based methodology about design, modeling and optimization of a spur gear pump, currently under production in a Romanian company. Wanting to expand their product range, the company asked for a parameter-based design of this type of pump, FEM simulations and optimization of its conception to cover a wider range of flow rates, as required by current beneficiaries. The purpose of this research was to find improved alternative solutions via parametric design, mathematical validation and finite element simulation of the manufacturing solutions. The pump model is well known and has been manufactured for decades in many countries, under various licenses and constructive variants. The research process analyzed the functional role of the gear pump, its structure, its 3D model, which was reconstructed from the last manufactured solution, while identifying certain dimensions to be optimized and used in parametric design relations. The author used the CATIA V5 software and Visual Basic programing language. By mathematical computation, there were identified the pressure values and forces generated in the pump’s gears, applied later in FEM simulations to check the behavior of the pump components at the loads generated by these forces and pressures. The paper identifies and presents in a summary table the maximum stress values, deformations and percentages of computation errors for each pump’s constructive solution.

Student ability and difficulties with transfer from a block-based programming language into other programming languages: a case study in Colombia

ABSTRACT Background and context Transfer is a process where students apply their learning to different contexts. This process includes using their knowledge to solve problems with similar complexity, and in new contexts. In the context of programming, transfer also includes being able to understand and use different programming languages. Objective This study explores: (a) student ability to transfer from a block-based programming language into another block-based programming language; (b) student ability to transfer from a block-based programming language to a text-based programming language; (d) student ability to transfer their learning within the same programming language; and (d) the difficulties students had to transfer in these contexts. Method A group of students participating in a program called Coding For Kids explained three different programs in different programming languages during an interview protocol. The students used the programming language MakeCode, and worked on transfer activities in Scratch and Python. Findings The results suggest that while most students are able to transfer between block-based programming languages, most of them struggle to explain a program in a text-based programming language, and to solve a new coding challenge. Implications Instructional designers should consider different strategies to facilitate student transfer into professional programming languages, which is particularly difficult for non-English speakers.

Транслятор мови візуального програмування Петрі-об’єктних моделей

High-level programming tools are aimed at increasing the development speed of complex programs due to automation within the routine actions of the programmer, reducing the number of coding errors and reducing the code in general. Visual programming involves coding based on a visual representation of a task for the computational process instead of a textual one. The translator of the visual programming language of Petri-object models is designed and built according to the defi ned formal grammar of the language and Petri-object model formalism. It performs the transformation of the visual representation of the model into the calculation of the simulation algorithm. The advantages of the developed language are a small alphabet of symbols, the opportunity for replication of objects and connections between them, and the versatile application for the discrete-event systems models development.