On Expressiveness of Visualization Systems' Interfaces

Abstract

The paper discusses elements of logical models of graphical user interfaces used in both universal and specialized scientific visualization systems. Criteria of expressiveness of programming language that are discussed in "Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs" book are applied to graphical interfaces. It is shown that graphical interfaces allow users to operate on the same digital substance and with the same logical approaches as in textual programming languages. Both give basic elements, allow their combination, and support the procedures of abstraction. Authors suggest considering these aspects when developing graphical interfaces. This perspective is applied to the following presentation of the paper. The idea of modifiers (also known as behaviors or effects) and the idea of extensions (also known as plugins, modules, and applications) are discussed. Some methods of programming of scene dynamics are presented. Also languages and ontologies of scientific visualization are discussed, e.g. models for editing visualization pipeline: adding data to projects, filtering of that data, and methods of description of data representation on screen. Finally, we discuss additional ideas on systems analysis of visualization systems.