Dynamic reconfigurability for fast prototyping of user interfaces

Nowhere in software engineering is the need for fast prototyping more widely accepted than in the design of effective user interfaces to interactive systems. This paper reviews the rationale and methods for prototyping of interfaces, and argues the importance of dynamic reconfigurability in achieving fast convergence on a satisfactory solution. A prototype dialogue design system with this property is described, and the results of initial experience in its use are reported.

[1]  T. R. Palmer GRAPE programming environment , 1987 .

[2]  David J. Kasik Controlling user interaction , 1976, SIGGRAPH '76.

[3]  G Cockton Where do we draw the line? - Derivation and evaluation of user interface software separation rules , 1986 .

[4]  I. N. Larkin The user is always right , 1987 .

[5]  Paul R. Hanau,et al.  Prototyping and simulation tools for user/computer dialogue design , 1980, SIGGRAPH '80.

[6]  Gilbert Cockton,et al.  Interaction ergonomics, control and separation: open problems in user interface management , 1987 .

[7]  P. J. W. ten Hagen,et al.  Parallel input and feedback in dialogue cells , 1985 .

[8]  Adele Goldberg,et al.  Smalltalk-80 - the interactive programming environment , 1984 .

[9]  Günther Pfaff,et al.  Constructing User Interfaces Based on Logical Input Devices , 1982, Computer.

[10]  Mark D. Apperley,et al.  Hierarchical dialogue structures in interactive computer systems , 1983, Softw. Pract. Exp..

[11]  P. P. Tanner,et al.  Some Issues in Future User Interface Management System (UIMS) Development , 1985 .

[12]  Philip D. Gray,et al.  Experience with Chisl, a Configurable Hierarchical Interface Specification Language , 1988, Comput. Graph. Forum.

[13]  David J. Kasik,et al.  A user interface management system , 1982, SIGGRAPH.

[14]  William Buxton,et al.  Lexical and pragmatic considerations of input structures , 1983, COMG.

[15]  Murray Hill,et al.  Yacc: Yet Another Compiler-Compiler , 1978 .