Browsing and editing tool for programming in pictures

  • Authors:

  • Yutaka Watanobe;Nikolay Mirenkov;Rentaro Yoshioka

  • Affiliations:

  • Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Aizu, Aizu-wakamatsu, Fukushima, Japan;Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Aizu, Aizu-wakamatsu, Fukushima, Japan;Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Aizu, Aizu-wakamatsu, Fukushima, Japan

  • Venue:
  • ACS'10 Proceedings of the 10th WSEAS international conference on Applied computer science
  • Year:
  • 2010

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Abstract

A tool that enables programming in pictures based on Filmification of Methods (FIM) is presented. FIM is an approach where pictures and moving pictures are used to specify and program computational algorithms. The key contribution of the tool is the integration of sub-systems for organizing a visual programming environment in which end-users can easily access, through web browsers, special libraries of software components and "algorithmic characters" and create their own components. Using the tool, the users are able to retrieve library components, browse and edit them, generate executable codes, execute them to observe computational results, and upload and share the components. To facilitate the processes of understanding and manipulations with components, the tool is based on a few visual languages and appropriate interfaces. In addition, the tool allows to export the programs in pictures in several formats, including Adobe Flash animations, PNG or JPEG images to create, for example, educational materials. The scalability of the library of algorithmic characters and the library of software components are also discussed.