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Hierarchical dialogue structures in interactive computer systems
Author(s) -
Apperley M. D.,
Spence R.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
software: practice and experience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1097-024X
pISSN - 0038-0644
DOI - 10.1002/spe.4380130904
Subject(s) - computer science , hierarchy , simple (philosophy) , computer graphics , human–computer interaction , context (archaeology) , graphics , state (computer science) , interactive computing , extension (predicate logic) , programming language , artificial intelligence , computer graphics (images) , paleontology , philosophy , epistemology , economics , market economy , biology
Abstract A powerful yet simple‐to‐use command dialogue has evolved in the development of an interactive graphics system for the computer‐aided design of electronic circuits. This dialogue overcomes many of the problems typically encountered in systems with a strongly hierarchical command structure; the user is kept constantly aware of the current state within the hierarchy and is able to manoeuvre rapidly about this structure. The rules for the use of the dialogue are few and simple; mistakes are not catastrophic. The dialogue is equally suited to both naïve and experienced users. The dialogue is described in the context of an interactive graphics environment, but the extension of the principles to any interactive computer system should be obvious.