Papers


  • The Smart Persistence Layer
    Papers, Plik
    525 415 bajtów
    2011-11-03 10:40
    2011-11-03 11:02
    141

    Presented on the Sixth International Conference on Software Engineering Advances (ICSEA 2011). October 23-29, 2011 - Barcelona, Spain. ISBN: 978-1-61208-165-6. pp. 206-212.

    Abstract

    We present an approach to solve the impedance mismatch problem caused by incompatibility between two models: object-oriented and relational ones. We believe that it cannot be unraveled by creating new Object-Relational Mappers (ORMs) like most of the software industry does. It is caused by some inherent differences between those two worlds. In our method we assume that both a programming language and a data source should be based on the same data model. Thus we propose a persistence layer for native data structures of a programming language. The presented idea is supported by a working prototype called the Smart Persistence Layer, which also supports extent management and bidirectional links. The prototype together with LINQ,  the native query language for the .NET platform, formulates an easy-to-use yet powerful solution.


  • GCL – An Easy Way for Creating Graphical User Interfaces
    Papers, Plik
    525 322 bajtów
    2010-07-09 19:06
    2010-07-09 19:06
    326

    Presented on the the 14th World Multi-Conference on Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics: WMSCI 2010. Orlando, USA. June 29 - July 2, 2010. pp. 403 - 410. ISBN-13: 978-1-934272-98-5.

    Session’s Best Paper Award 

     

    Abstract

    Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) can be created using several approaches. Beside using visual editors or a manually written source code, it is possible to employ a declarative method. Such a solution usually allows working on a higher abstraction level which saves the developers’ time and reduces errors. The approach can follow many ideas. One of them is based on utilizing a Domain Specific Language (DSL). In this paper we present the results of our research concerning a DSL language called GCL (GUI Creating Language). The prototype is implemented  as a library for Java with an API emulating the syntax and semantics of a DSL language. A programmer, using a few keywords, is able to create different types of GUIs, including forms, panels, dialogs, etc. The widgets of the GUI are built automatically during the run-time phase based on a given data instance (an ordinary Java object) and optionally are to be customized by the programmer. The main contribution of our work is delivering a working library for a popular platform. The library could be easily ported for other programming languages such the MS C#.


  • Automatically Creating Graphical User Interfaces Using Extended senseGUI Library
    Papers, Plik
    187 504 bajtów
    2008-11-22 15:13
    2010-03-11 15:43
    210

    Presented on the Ninth IASTED International Conference on Software Engineering and Applications (SEA’08). November 16 – 18, 2008, Orlando, Florida, USA. ISBN: 978-0-88986-776-5. pp. 112-117.

    Abstract

    Creating GUIs for data-intense application is a time consuming task. A promising approach, saving the developer’s time, assumes a declarative way of generating such interfaces. In this paper we present an extended version of our library called the senseGUI. Using simple annotations of the source code, the library is able to automatically generate common business-oriented windows. As a result, an application’s user is able to create, update or just see appropriate parts of the data model. Moreover, the extended version of the library gives a programmer an easy way to internationalize the application’s interface, validate the input or create GUIs which are not connected to a formal model (a particular class). The simplest usage scenario requires only marking attributes or methods for which widgets should be created. It is also possible to define a more detailed description including different widgets for particular data items, the order of items, labels, etc. Contrary to many existing solutions, our proposal does not require complicated tools. The implemented prototype is dedicated for the Java language but could be easily ported to other languages like, for example, Microsoft C#.


  • Automatyczne generowanie graficznych interfejsów użytkownika
    Papers, Plik
    205 377 bajtów
    2008-11-22 15:08
    2010-03-11 15:43
    193

    Przedstawiony na X Krajowej Konferencji Inżynierii Oprogramowania 2008 (KKIO'2008). Szklarska Poręba, Polska, 08 - 11 września 2008. ISBN: 978-83-206-1703-0. pp. 125-134.

    Streszczenie

    Deklaratywne tworzenie Graficznych Interfejsów Użytkownika jest również znane jako generowanie oparte na modelu. Większość tego typu rozwiązań wymaga wykorzystania dedykowanych narzędzi oraz dość dużego zasobu wiedzy. Zaproponowane podejście jest inne. Zdecydowaliśmy się opracować rozwiązanie, które znacząco ułatwia tworzenie typowych interfejsów dla istniejących popularnych języków programowania. Wykorzystaliśmy system adnotacji występujący we współczesnych językach takich jak Java, czy C#. W efekcie, programista jest w stanie określić, dla których elementów modelu, powinien zostać wygenerowany interfejs użytkownika. W najprostszej postaci, wystarczy tylko oznaczyć inwarianty klasy dla których powinny być stworzone komponenty GUI. Przedstawione podejście umożliwia również bardziej wyrafinowane opisywanie poszczególnych elementów, włączając w to etykiety, podpowiedzi, kolejność elementów, czy różne kontrolki. Po wygenerowaniu formatki przez programistę, użytkownik aplikacji jest w stanie tworzyć nowe jednostki danych oraz edytować już istniejące. Prezentowane badania są wsparte przez działającą prototypową bibliotekę dla języka Java. Jest ona częścią większego frameworku realizującego zarządzanie obiektami znacząco zmniejszającego pracę programisty wykonywaną w celu stworzenia aplikacji.


  • senseGUI - a Declarative Way of Generating Graphical User Interfaces
    Papers, Plik
    225 464 bajtów
    2008-11-22 15:01
    2010-03-17 18:39
    196

    Presented on the Third International Conference on Software and Data Technologies (ICSOFT 2008). Volume PL/DPS/KE, Porto, Portugal, July 5-8, 2008. INSTICC Press 2008, ISBN 978-989-8111-51-7. pp. 71-76.

    Abstract

    A declarative way of creating GUIs is also known as model-based generation. Most of existing solutions require dedicated tools and quite complicated knowledge from the programmer. They also use special languages. In contrast, we propose a method which utilizes annotations existing in present programming languages. The method greatly improves generating common GUIs for popular languages. Annotations allow the programmer for marking particular parts of a source code defining class structures. Using such simple annotations, the programmer can describe basic properties of the desired GUI. In the simplest form it is enough just to mark attributes (or methods) for which widgets should be created. There is also a way to define more detailed description including labels, the order of items, different widgets for particular data items, etc. Using a generated form, the application user can create, edit and see instances of data objects. Our research is supported by a working prototype library called senseGUI (Java).


  • Mavigator - a Flexible Graphical User Interface to Data Sources
    Papers, Plik
    119 040 bajtów
    2006-06-05 18:36
    2010-03-17 18:40
    177

    Presented on Advanced Visual Interfaces (AVI?2006), ACM Press, 23-26 May, 2006, Venezia, Italy.

    Abstract

    We present Mavigator, a prototype of a graphical user interface to databases. The system is dedicated to naive users (computer non-professionals) and allows them to retrieve information from any data source, including object-oriented and XML-oriented databases. The system extends its core functionalities by the Active Extensions (AE) module, which assumes a trade-off between simplicity of user retrieval interfaces and complexity of output formatting functions. In AE the latter are to be done by a programmer using a fully-fledged programming language (currently C#). Thus the retrieved data can be post-processed or presented in any conceivable visual form. Another novel feature of the Mavigator is the Virtual Schemas module, which allows customization of a database schema, in particular, changing some names, adding new associations or hiding some classes.


  • Evaluation of the Mavigator
    Papers, Plik
    316 700 bajtów
    2006-06-05 18:33
    2010-03-11 15:43
    163

    Presented on Visual Information Expert Workshop (VIEW?2006), Springer Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 24-25 April, 2006, Paris, France.

    Abstract
    Mavigator is a graphical querying and browsing tool dedicated to naive users (computer non-professionals). It allows them to retrieve and analyse information from various data sources, in particular, from object-oriented and XML-oriented databases, providing a corresponding wrapper is implemented. Mavigator key concepts related to information retrieval include: intensional navigation, extensional navigation, and persistent baskets for recording temporary and final results. A basic problem related to end-user visual interfaces concerns final presentation and further processing of retrieval results. The Mavigator Active Extensions (AE) module allows the programmer to extend ad hoc the existing core functionalities through a program written in C#. Thus the retrieved data can be presented and analysed in any conceivable visual form. Another novel feature of Mavigator is Virtual Schemas, which make it possible to customize database schema, in particular, changing some names, adding virtual associations or hiding some classes. Virtual Schemas allow creating a customized version of an existing database schema and navigate within the database according to this schema. In this paper we present results of usability tests, which have been conducted within three independent student groups. The results of the tests suggest improvements to the prototype.


  • Active Extensions in a Visual Interface to Databases
    Papers, Plik
    219 736 bajtów
    2006-06-05 18:30
    2010-03-11 15:43
    179

    Presented on Fourteenth International Conference on Information Systems Development (ISD?2005), Kluwer/Plenum Press, 14-17 August, 2005, Karlstad, Sweden.


  • Virtual Schemas in Visual Interfaces to Databases
    Papers, Plik
    392 853 bajtów
    2005-10-28 10:23
    2010-03-11 15:43
    159

    Paper presented on the "I Krajowa Konferencja Naukowa Technologie Przetwarzania Danych, Poznań, 26-28.09.2005".

    Abstract
    Virtual Schemas are part of the visual information retrieval system called Mavigator. The system is dedicated to naive users (computer non-professionals) and allows them to retrieve information from any data source, in particular, from object-oriented and XML-oriented databases. A significant problem related to all browsing tools is a way of presenting database schema graph. In many cases, there is a need to customize data-base schema, in particular, changing some names, adding new associations or removing some classes. Virtual Schemas allow creating a virtual customized version of existing database schema and navigate within the database according to this schema. Schema customization options include creating virtual association and virtual attributes, hiding/showing particular classes and renaming some schema items.


  • Mavigator - summary
    Papers, Plik
    1 046 806 bajtów
    2005-03-25 17:34
    2010-03-11 15:43
    15

    File contains up-to-date summary about Mavigator.