Classification of Interactive Functions of the Electronic Atlas: Theoretical and Methodological Basis of Creation

Abstract

In the more than 30-year history of electronic atlases, only two classifications of interactive functions designed directly for the electronic atlas are widely known. In addition, the theoretical aspects of the development of these classifications have been insuf­ficiently covered, which makes it difficult to improve them further. The purpose of the article is to develop the theoretical and methodological basis of creating the classification system of inter­active functions of the electronic atlas. To achieve this purpose, four intermediate goals were set: finding out whether it is neces­sary to create a new classification or refine existing ones; formation of the terminological apparatus of the object of research and classification system; formation of a set of classification objects—interactive functions; development of the methodological basis of the classification system. The place of interactive functions in the system of notions of interactive and atlas cartography was determined, which included consideration of such notions as electronic atlas elements, atlas interaction, electronic atlas representation, electronic atlas inter­activity, atlas interaction operator, electronic atlas functionality, and interactive tool. The following basic notions of the interactive functions classification system were established: classification element, classification object, general principle of classifying, and the main feature (basis) of classifying. Essential (interactivity, resultative, visibility, duration, unambiguity) and non-essential (pas­sivity, extensibility) properties of interactive function, its characteristics and varieties are determined. One hundred seventy-nine interactive functions of the electronic atlas have been preliminarily identified, which will be divided into classification groups based on their purpose. The classification will be intended for developers of atlas platforms and authors of electronic atlases. Its devel­opment will help solve such tasks as systematization of experience in creating and implementing interactive functions of electronic atlases; evaluation of interactivity and functionality of electronic atlases; review of the theoretical provisions of atlas cartography, finding new interactive functions and connections between existing ones; accelerating the development of electronic atlases by authors-users of the atlas platform; and demonstration of the interactive capabilities of the atlas platform. The research results can be used at the theoretical level of designing the classification of interactive functions not only for the electronic atlas but also for other applications where the classification object is the interactive function. The proposed terminolog­ical apparatus may be of interest to the whole of interactive cartography because such general theoretical notions as interactive function, interactivity, and interaction are considered.