Metabuilder: the diagrammer's diagrammer

Ferguson, Robert Ian and Hunter, Andrew and Hardy , Colin (2000) Metabuilder: the diagrammer's diagrammer. In: First International Conference, Diagrams 2000, 1-3 September 2000, Edinburgh, Scotland UK.

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Abstract

A software tool named MetaBuilder is described. MetaBuilder’s purpose is to enable the rapid creation of computerised diagram editing tools for structured diagrammatic notations. At its heart is an object-oriented, graphical metamodelling technique - a diagrammatic notation for describing other diagrammatic notations. The notation is based upon the concept of a mathematical graph consisting of nodes and edges. Construction of a “target tool” proceeds by drawing a metamodel of the target notation. Items in the target notation are modelled as “classes” and the syntax of the target notation such as connectivity between elements are expressed as “relationships” between the classes. Once the metamodel is complete, a new tool can be generated automatically. Thus the time to develop such notation specific drawing tools can be dramatically reduced. As the design of a piece of software can be expressed diagrammatically, the MetaBuilder software can be used to build itself!

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Additional Information: A software tool named MetaBuilder is described. MetaBuilder’s purpose is to enable the rapid creation of computerised diagram editing tools for structured diagrammatic notations. At its heart is an object-oriented, graphical metamodelling technique - a diagrammatic notation for describing other diagrammatic notations. The notation is based upon the concept of a mathematical graph consisting of nodes and edges. Construction of a “target tool” proceeds by drawing a metamodel of the target notation. Items in the target notation are modelled as “classes” and the syntax of the target notation such as connectivity between elements are expressed as “relationships” between the classes. Once the metamodel is complete, a new tool can be generated automatically. Thus the time to develop such notation specific drawing tools can be dramatically reduced. As the design of a piece of software can be expressed diagrammatically, the MetaBuilder software can be used to build itself!
Keywords: MetaCASE
Subjects: G Mathematical and Computer Sciences > G400 Computer Science
Divisions: College of Sciences > Faculty of Science > Lincoln School of Computer Science
Depositing User: Rosaline Smith
Date Deposited: 09 Jul 2010 12:36
Last Modified: 13 Mar 2013 08:41
URI: http://eprints.lincoln.ac.uk/id/eprint/2829

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