OpenBlocks : an extendable framework for graphical block programming systems
Name
220927290-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
1.42 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
a3342275bf27c7130dd5131c3229bbc1
Author(s)
Roque, Ricarose Vallarta
Advisor(s)
Eric Klopfer.
Alternative Title
Extendable framework for graphical block programming systems
Date Issued
2007
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
Graphical programming systems have been built to lower the threshold to programming for beginners. However, because these systems were designed to make programming more accessible to novices, they were developed with narrower intentions for their users and applications. For example, in StarLogo TNG, a graphical block programming environment, users may create games and simulations, but they cannot use this same system to create programs that can automate their computer processes, like the text-based scripting system AppleScript. Application developers can create their own programming systems, but doing so can take a significant amount of time to design and implement. This thesis describes an extendable framework called OpenBlocks that enables application developers to build and iterate their own graphical block programming systems by specifying a single XML file. Application developers can focus more on the design of their systems instead of oil the details of implementation. The design and implementation of OpenBlocks are described, along with a user study conducted to test its usability and extendability.
Description
Thesis (M. Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2007.
This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 60-61).
Subjects
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
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