Forms-based user interfaces are widely used means for human-computer interaction. However, it is difficult to exploit software reuse in forms-based systems because the systems tend to be dependent upon the particular display technologies used. This paper introduces the Family of Retargetable User Interface Tools (FRUIT) that aims to solve this problem. FRUIT adapts the device-independent XForms technology to deliver a family of products capable of supporting a variety of display technologies. This paper presents the architecture for the FRUIT product line and illustrates the design methodology used--a methodology based on stepwise refinement and commonality and variability analysis; it also describes two members of the FRUIT family and shows how their designs and implementations are refinements of the family architecture.
Yi Liu, H. Conrad Cunningham, Hui Xiong