Visual languages have long been a pursuit of effective communication between human and machine. With rapid advances of the Internet and Web technology, human-human communication through the Web or electronic mobile devices is becoming more and more prevalent. Visual Languages and Applications is a comprehensive introduction to diagrammatical visual languages. This book discusses what visual programming languages are, and how such languages and their underlying foundations can be usefully applied to other fields in computer science. It also covers a broad range of contents from the underlying theory of graph grammars to the applications in various domains. Pointers to related topics and further readings are provided as well. Visual Languages and Applications is designed as a secondary text book for upper-undergraduate-level students and graduate-level students in computer science and engineering. This volume is also suitable for practitioners and researchers in industry as a professional book.
The interface between the user of a computer-based information system and the system itself has been evolving at a rapid rate. The use of a video screen, with its color and graphics capabilities, has been one factor in this evolution. The development of light pens, mice, and other screen image manipulation devices has been another. With these capabilities has come a natural desire to find more effective ways to make use of them. In particular, much work has gone into the development of interface systems that add visual elements such as icons and graphics to text. The desire to use these visual elements effectively in communication between the user and the system has resulted in a healthy competition of ideas and discussion of the principles governing the development and use of such elements. The present volume chronicles some of the more significant ideas that have recently been presented. The first volume in this series on the subject [Visual Languages (Chang, Ichikawa, and Ligomenides, eds. ), Plenum, 1986] covered work done in the early days of the field of visual languages. Here we represent ideas that have grown out of that early work, arranged in six sections: Theory, Design Systems, Visual Programming, Algorithm Animation, Simulation Animation, and Applications. I THEORY Fundamental to the concept of visual languages is the convIctIOn that diagrams and other visual representations can aid understanding and communication of ideas. We begin this volume with a chapter by Fanya S.
The interface between the user of a computer-based information system and the system itself has been evolving at a rapid rate. The use of a video screen, with its color and graphics capabilities, has been one factor in this evolution. The development of light pens, mice, and other screen image manipulation devices has been another. With these capabilities has come a natural desire to find more effective ways to make use of them. In particular, much work has gone into the development of interface systems that add visual elements such as icons and graphics to text. The desire to use these visual elements effectively in communication between the user and the system has resulted in a healthy competition of ideas and discussion of the principles governing the development and use of such elements. The present volume chronicles some of the more significant ideas that have recently been presented. The first volume in this series on the subject [Visual Languages (Chang, Ichikawa, and Ligomenides, eds. ), Plenum, 1986] covered work done in the early days of the field of visual languages. Here we represent ideas that have grown out of that early work, arranged in six sections: Theory, Design Systems, Visual Programming, Algorithm Animation, Simulation Animation, and Applications. I THEORY Fundamental to the concept of visual languages is the convIctIOn that diagrams and other visual representations can aid understanding and communication of ideas. We begin this volume with a chapter by Fanya S.
This book is intended as both an introduction to the state-of-the-art in visual languages, as well as an exposition of the frontiers of research in advanced visual languages. It is for computer scientists, computer engi neers, information scientists, application programmers, and technical managers responsible for software development projects who are inter ested in the methodology and manifold applications of visual languages and visual programming. The contents of this book are drawn from invited papers, as well as selected papers from two workshops: the 1985 IEEE Workshop on Lan guages for Automation-Cognitive Aspects in Information Processing, which was held in Mallorca, Spain, June 28-30, 1985; and the 1984 IEEE Workshop on Visual Languages, which was held in Hiroshima, Japan, December 7-9, 1984. Panos Ligomenides and I organized the technical program of LFA '85, and Tadao Ichikawa and I organized the techni cal program of VL '84. Both workshops have now become successful annual events in their own right. The intersecting area of visual languages and visual programming especially has become a fascinating new research area. It is hoped that this book will focus the reader's attention on some of the interesting research issues as well as the potential for future applications. After reading this book, the reader will undoubtedly get an impression that visual languages and the concept of generalized icons can be studied fruitfully from many different perspectives, including computer graphics, formal language theory, educational methodology, cognitive psychology and visual design.
Presents problems and methodologies related to the syntax, semantics, and ambiguities of visual languages. Defines and formalizes visual languages for interactive computing, as well as visual notation interpretation.
The power of a visual image is determined by a complex array of elements. Anyone who creates a page for a magazine, makes a PowerPoint presentation, designs a brochure, prepares a poster, or dreams up an idea for an infographic is faced with some important questions: Why is it better to position this photograph here rather than there? What background color should be used for a presentation? What is necessary to bear in mind when creating an internet page? Is it better to use a table, a graph, or an infographic as a visual aid? Should permission be sought to use an image for a weblog? These are the kinds of questions that Visual Language will answer. Following an introduction to the subject, the book explains three important theories relating to visual images: Gestalt, semiotics, and visual rhetoric. Using these theories, the book then explores the fundamental elements of visual language: composition, typography, perspective, and color. Additionally, it presents applications from everyday practice: photos, graphs and tables, infographics, web pages, and magazine pages. The combination of theory and practice makes this guide an excellent reference work for both academic programs and vocational studies. *** "Recommended". - Choice, Vol. 50, No. 08, April 2013.
Praise for The Visual Basic .NET Programming Language "There is no substitute to getting the inside scoop directly from a book written by the father of a programming language such as Bjarne Stroustrup for C++, James Gosling for Java and Alan Cooper for the original version of Visual Basic. Paul Vick, the father of Visual Basic .NET, explains the whys and hows of this exciting new language better than any other human being on the planet." --Ted Pattison, Barracuda.NET "The Visual Basic .NET Programming Language includes nuances that in all my use and study of VB .NET, I haven''t seen discussed anywhere else. For example, I learned that you can use the Imports statement to import an Enum name, so that you needn''t refer to the enum in all its uses. In addition, I learned that the dictionary lookup operator, ''!'', works in VB .NET--I thought this one had been retired. In any case, if you''re searching for a book that covers all the language syntax issues, and more, Paul Vick''s book is a great place to look." --Ken Getz, Senior Consultant, MCW Technologies, LLC "This book is an excellent stepping stone for Visual Basic developers wanting to get their toes wet in the .NET waters. Paul''s presentation of the core topics all VB developers should tackle first is clear, concise, and unlike other books in the genre, does not overwhelm the reader. The VB6 vs. VB.NET task-oriented approach guides you through the new language and OO features, and then moves to basic threading and other CLR topics--as well as to the key points in the COM to .NET transition--in a well thought-out sequence. If you''ve been holding out on VB .NET, this is a great book to get you started." --Klaus H. Probst, Sr. Consultant/Architect, Spherion Technology Services, Microsoft MVP "There is no shortage of VB .NET books in the market, but this is the only book straight from the creators. While that is an excellent reason in itself for reading this book, it is the brevity and clarity of the content, along with the examples, that makes this book a must-have." --Amit Kalani, Developer "Overall, I liked this book and it definitely benefited me. I learned new things I didn''t see anywhere else and I''ll certainly put these to good use in the future. Paul''s book makes a great reference manual for intermediate and advanced VB .NET developers." --Philip Williams, System Engineer, LDC Direct "This book contains a lot of great information I have seen nowhere else and addresses issues that other books do not." --Ethan Roberts, .NET Architect, General Casualty "This book is full of useful information and provides a good historical background for the Visual Basic .NET Language." --Dave Vitter, Technical Lead Developer and author of Designing Visual Basic .NET Applications (Coriolis, 2001) The definitive Microsoft Visual Basic .NET reference--authored by Visual Basic .NET''s lead architect If you want to leverage all of VB .NET''s immense power, get this book. It''s the definitive VB .NET reference and tutorial, and the first Visual Basic book written by one of VB .NET''s lead architects. No other book offers this much behind-the-scenes insight about why VB .NET works the way it does, how it evolved, and how you can make the most of it. The Visual Basic .NET Programming Language is a superb learning tool for new VB .NET programmers and a must-have reference for developers at every level. Paul Vick presents precise language descriptions, essential reference materials, practical insights, and hundreds of code samples, straight from Microsoft''s VB .NET design team. Just some of the features include: A history and overview of Visual Basic''s evolution into VB .NET Complete coverage of the language syntax Transitioning from COM to the CLR and leveraging the .NET platform Runtime functions Taking full advantage of VB .NET''s object-oriented features Notes on style, design, and compatibility throughout the text Notes for the advanced user throughout the text Vick exposes VB .NET''s most powerful capabilities with unprecedented depth and clarity, and packs this book with information you simply won''t find anywhere else. Whether you''re an experienced VB .NET programmer, upgrading from earlier versions of Visual Basic, or coming to Visual Basic and .NET for the first time, you''ll find this book indispensable.
Imagine how much easier creating web and mobile applications would be if you had a practical and concise, hands-on guide to visual design. Visual Usability gets into the nitty-gritty of applying visual design principles to complex application design.You'll learn how to avoid common mistakes, make informed decisions about application design, and elevate the ordinary. We'll review three key principles that affect application design – consistency, hierarchy, and personality – and illustrate how to apply tools like typography, color, and layout to digital application design. Whether you're a UI professional looking to fine-tune your skills, a developer who cares about making applications beautiful and usable, or someone entirely new to the design arena, Visual Usability is your one-stop, practical guide to visual design. - Discover the principles and rules that underlie successful application design - Learn how to develop a rationale to support design strategy and move teams forward - Master the visual design toolkit to increase user-friendliness and make complicated processes feel straightforward for your product
The practical guide to C# .NET development for experienced programmers. Running case study covers the entire .NET development process. .NET attributes, collections, threading, security, versioning, remoting, and more.