Visual meta-programming language graphical user interface for generative programming

Abstract

A Visual Meta-Programming Language allows the user to see a graphic representation of the data flow between components. Like the visual programming concepts for common programming languages in use today, this language makes it easier to build software by putting together graphical elements that correspond to larger and more complex pieces of code. This research will develop the implementation of a visual meta-programming language graphical user interface for program generation. The objective is to create an interface that represents programming data flow using the visual meta-programming language, allows the user to add, modify, and delete elements of the program, and generates formatted output that can be used by generative programs to produce code. Areas of study will include efficient data structure design to capture the nature and characteristics of visual elements of the language and translation of visual design to a format suitable for use by other programs.