A Model-Based User Interface Architecture: Enhancing a Runtime Environment with Declarative Knowledge

A model-based user interface environment refers to an interface design and execution environment which utilizes declarative semantic knowledge about application interfaces. We capture in the application model tasks which will be performed by users, their operational constraints, and objects on which these tasks operate. We capture in the interface model interface components, application-independent interface tasks, and operational constraints on these tasks. Mapping from the application to the interface model serves as a means to construct an interface to an application. Modeling components in the interface model are coupled with executable components, thereby forming working interfaces. They also support intelligent behavior such as partially automatic control sequencing, automatic generation of textual and animated help, and recordings of statistical and chronological command usage history. The modeling components in UIDE are task-oriented. Specifying an interface through these components not only eliminates the low-level programming from the interface creation process, but also makes the design process centered around user tasks.