Exploring the general-purpose visual alternative

Although it is now universally accepted that graphics should be an integral part of the human-computer interface, the proper role for graphics in programming, if any, remains controversial. Some impressive visual programming systems have been developed for novices, and for specific application domains. But visual environments that support larger-scale general-purpose programming, in the sense of main-line textual languages such as Pascal or C, are not yet available. In this paper, we report on two experiments involving the design and implementation of general-purpose visual programming environments: SunPict and C^2. In each case, we explain the motivation for the project, provide an overview of system capabilities, and discuss and evaluate system advantages and drawbacks. We then draw conclusions, based on our experiences, as to where future efforts in this field should probably be directed.

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