868 |
While the creation of the diagram structure is easier using |
While the creation of the diagram structure is easier using |
869 |
written text than direct manipulation, |
written text than direct manipulation, |
870 |
the layout of the resulting structure would benefit from a click-and-drag interface. |
the layout of the resulting structure would benefit from a click-and-drag interface. |
871 |
|
However, this approach will also lose some expressive power: |
872 |
|
in metapost the user is now allowed to draw anything on the diagram. |
873 |
|
It is possible that this can be solved by another stage after metapost, |
874 |
|
where the locations of the nodes could be interactively defined into |
875 |
|
metapost variables. |
876 |
|
On the other hand, there are also arguments against metapost: |
877 |
|
the error messages receive on erroneous input to the UML tool |
878 |
|
are difficult to decipher due to the translation layer between. |
879 |
|
This might also speed up the compiling process. |
880 |
|
|
881 |
|
The plugin interface for using other documentation tools also needs |
882 |
- UMLTOOL: diagram elements need easier placing (but still not automatic) |
to be firmed up. |
|
|
|
|
- direct maniplation |
|
|
|
|
|
- we can still continue using our UML language for description |
|
|
of diagram elements |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- metapost's erros are fuzzy, when using scripting language for |
|
|
drawing diagrams, we need clearer errors |
|
|
|
|
|
- it's possible that we change metapost for something else |
|
|
|
|
|
- getting rid of problem with fuzzy error messages and slow |
|
|
compiling process |
|
|
|
|
|
- However, less power: with mp, can draw arbitrary stuff on the diagrams |
|
|
is well; this is sometimes useful, but sometimes not desirable. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- plugin interface to enable other documentation tools than javadoc |
|
883 |
|
|
884 |
Once some of these issues are resolved, we are planning |
Once some of these issues are resolved, we are planning |
885 |
to release the glue code as a standalone free software package; |
to release the glue code as a standalone free software package; |
886 |
until then, the code is still publicly accessible at our CVS version |
until then, the code is still publicly accessible at our CVS version |
887 |
control server as part of the larger Gzz project. |
control server as part of the larger Gzz project (note to referees: |
888 |
|
the project will likely be renamed by the final version). |
|
|
|
|
- all in all, this is temporary system: using web pages for the |
|
|
presentation/UI layer of a hypertext system is useful and standard |
|
|
but very limiting. The system we are using these tools to develop is |
|
|
intended for better user interfaces to similar ... |
|
889 |
|
|
890 |
+ antont's note about duplication of data problem |
Finally, we'd like to point out that this tool |
891 |
|
is only intended as a temporary system: using web pages for the |
892 |
|
presentation/UI layer of a hypertext system is useful and standard |
893 |
|
but also very limiting from a UI perspective. |
894 |
|
The system we are using this UML tool to develop is |
895 |
|
intended for better user interfaces to similar structures. |
896 |
|
|
897 |
Acknowledgments |
Acknowledgments |
898 |
=============== |
=============== |