A Transformation-Based Metamodel Approach to the Definition of Syntax and Semantics of Diagrammatic Languages

2011 ◽  
pp. 51-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Bottoni ◽  
Dino Frediani ◽  
Paolo Quattrocchi
Keyword(s):  
Visual Languages ◽  
Semantic Roles ◽  
Integrated Framework ◽  
Visual Elements ◽  
Interactive Environment ◽  
Concrete Syntax ◽  
Definition Of

The definition of visual languages, of their semantics, and of the interactions with them, can all be referred to a notion of transformation of multisets of resources. Moreover, the concrete syntax for a particular language can be obtained in a semi-automatic way, by declaring the conformity of the language to some family of languages, specified by a metamodel. In a similar way, the generation of the associated semantics can take advantage of the identification of the variety of the semantics being expressed. According to the associated metamodel, one can obtain an abstract view of the semantic roles that visual elements can play with respect to the process being described. We propose here an integrated framework and interactive environment, based on a collection of metamodels, in which to express both syntactical characterizations of diagrammatic sentences and their semantic interpretations.

Integrating Measures and Redesigns in the Definition of Domain Specific Visual Languages

2009 ◽  
pp. 119-146
Author(s):  
Esther Guerra ◽  
Juan de Lara ◽  
Paloma Díaz
Keyword(s):  
Graph Transformation ◽  
Success Factor ◽  
Visual Languages ◽  
Model Quality ◽  
Web Engineering ◽  
Product Metrics ◽  
Model Driven ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Modelling Environment ◽  
Definition Of

The goal of this work is to facilitate the task of integrating measurement and redesign tools in modelling environments for Domain Specific Visual Languages (DSVLs), reducing or eliminating the necessity of coding. With this purpose, we have created a DSVL called SLAMMER that includes generalizations of some of the more used types of product metrics and frequent model manipulations, which can be easily customised for any other DSVL in a graphical way. The metric customisation process relies on visual patterns for the specification of the elements that should be measured in each metric type, while redesigns (as well as other actions) can be specified either personalizing generic templates or by means of graph transformation systems. The provided DSVL also allows creating new metrics, composing metrics, and executing actions guided by measurement values. The approach has been empirically validated by its implementation in a meta-modelling tool, which has been used for several DSVLs. In this way, together with the DSVL specification, a SLAMMER model can be provided containing a suite of metrics and actions that will become available in the final modelling environment. In this chapter we show a case study for a notation in the web engineering domain. As ensuring model quality is a key success factor in many computer science areas, even crucial in model-driven development, we believe that the results of this work benefit all of them by providing automatic support for the specification, generation and integration of measurement and redesign tools with modelling environments.

Meta-Modelling and Graph Transformation for the Definition of Multi-View Visual Languages

2011 ◽  
pp. 74-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Guerra ◽  
Juan de Lara
Keyword(s):  
Whole Language ◽  
Model Simulation ◽  
Graph Transformation ◽  
Software Systems ◽  
Small Subset ◽  
Consistency Checking ◽  
Visual Languages ◽  
Meta Model ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
High Level

In this chapter, we present our approach for the definition of Multi-View Visual Languages (MVVLs). These are languages made of a set of different diagram types, which are used to specify the different aspects of a system. A prominent example of this kind of languages is UML, which defines a set of diagrams for the description of the static and dynamic elements of software systems. In the multi-view approach, consistency checking is essential to verify that the combination of the various system views yields a consistent description of the system. We use two techniques to define environments for MVVLs: meta-modelling and graph transformation. The former is used to describe the syntax of the whole language. In addition, we define a meta-model for each diagram type of the language (that we call viewpoint) as a restriction of the complete MVVL meta-model. From this high-level description, we can generate a customized environment supporting the definition of multiple system views. Consistency between views is ensured by translating each one of them into a unique repository model which is conformant to the meta-model of the whole language. The translation is performed by automatically generated graph transformation rules. Whenever a change is performed in a view, some rules are triggered to update the repository. These updates may trigger other rules to propagate the changes from the repository to the rest of the views. In our approach, graph transformation techniques are also used for other purposes, such as model simulation, optimization and transformation into other formalisms. In this chapter, we also discuss the integration of these concepts in the AToM3 tool, and show some illustrative examples by generating an environment for a small subset of UML.

Visual Notation Interpretation and Ambiguities

2011 ◽  
pp. 117-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arianna D’Ulizia ◽  
Grifoni Patrizia
Keyword(s):  
Query Languages ◽  
Visual Language ◽  
Visual Languages ◽  
Visual Query ◽  
Visual Query Languages ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Comprehensive Classification ◽  
Visual Notation

This chapter introduces a classification of ambiguities in Visual Languages and discusses the ambiguities that occur in Spatial Visual Query Languages. It is adopted the definition of Visual Language, given in (Bottoni et al. 1995), as a set of Visual Sentence, each formed by an image, a description, an interpretation function and a materialization function. It is proposed a distinction between ambiguities produced by 1-n relationship between an image and its description, and ambiguities due to imprecision produced by the user’s behaviour during the interaction. Furthermore, the authors hope that this comprehensive classification of ambiguities may assist in the definition of Visual Languages, in order to allow the user to communicate through visual notations by avoiding to formulate sentences that have multiple interpretations.

Topology: A Very Short Introduction

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Earl
Keyword(s):  
Formal Definition ◽  
Mathematical Study ◽  
Short Introduction ◽  
Visual Elements ◽  
Eye Opening ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Modern Mathematics

Topology, the mathematical study of the properties that are preserved through the deformations, twistings, and stretchings of objects, is an important area of modern mathematics. Topology: A Very Short Introduction provides a sense of the more visual elements of topology (looking at surfaces) as well as covering the formal definition of continuity. Considering some of the eye-opening examples that led mathematicians to recognize a need for studying topology, it pays homage to the historical people, problems, and surprises that have propelled the growth of this field. As broad and fundamental as algebra and geometry, its study has important implications for science more generally, especially physics.

scholarly journals Application of Ergonomics Theory Based on Color Perception Theory in Business Design

2020 ◽  
Vol 179 ◽  
pp. 02053
Author(s):  
Chen Ni ◽  
Li Wang
Keyword(s):  
Real World ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Basic Unit ◽  
Design Practice ◽  
Visual Elements ◽  
The World ◽  
Perception Theory ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Point Line ◽  
Business Design

There is an obvious difference between the real world and the world we perceive, and we are constantly updating the definition of color. Color, like point, line, and plane, is the basic unit of our visual information. However, compared with other visual elements, our research on color has obvious shortcomings. We can solve many specific problems in our design practice through new analysis methods.

scholarly journals Development of custom notation for XML-based language: A model-driven approach

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 939-958 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergej Chodarev ◽  
Jaroslav Porubän
Keyword(s):  
User Experience ◽  
Explicit Representation ◽  
Abstract Syntax ◽  
Iterative Design ◽  
Model Driven ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Concrete Syntax ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Model Driven Approach

In spite of its popularity, XML provides poor user experience and a lot of domain-specific languages can be improved by introducing custom, more humanfriendly notation. This paper presents an approach for design and development of the custom notation for existing XML-based language together with a translator between the new notation and XML. The approach supports iterative design of the language concrete syntax, allowing its modification based on users feedback. The translator is developed using a model-driven approach. It is based on explicit representation of language abstract syntax (metamodel) that can be augmented with mappings to both XML and the custom notation. We provide recommendations for application of the approach and demonstrate them on a case study of a language for definition of graphs.

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