GenEd - An Editor with Generic Semantics for Formal Reasoning about Visual Notations

We describe the object-oriented editor GenEd supporting the design of specifications for visual notations. Prominent features of GenEd are (1) it is generic, i.e. domain-specific syntax and semantics are specified by users; (2) built-in parser for actual drawings, driven by formal specifications; (3) powerful reasoning capabilities about diagrams and their specification. GenEd's specification language is based on a fully formalized theory for describing visual notations. Three examples, place-transition petri nets, entity-relationship diagrams, and a small GIS application are presented. Keywords-- Theory of visual languages, formal semantics, diagrammatical reasoning, description logics, visual editor, visual parsing, geographical information systems.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 1996
• Where: VL
• Authors: Volker Haarslev, Michael Wessel
• Keywords: GenEd's Specification Language, Powerful Reasoning Capabilities, Visual Languages, Visual Notations, VL 1996