A Declarative Formalism for Specifying Graphical Layout

This paper describes a new approach to specifying graphical layouts of arbitrary objects, which is based on a TEXlike notation. Our simplest scheme offers specifications similar to TEX's box-and-glue metaphor. Size and position of boxes and glue can be specified by constraints. Advantages of this TEX-like formalism are its expressiveness, user-predictable layouts, and efficient implementation schemes for the underlying layout algorithms. We extend and generalize this forms-oriented scheme for specifying advanced graphical user interfaces (e.g. CLOS class browser).

• Type: Conference
• Year: 1990
• Where: VL
• Authors: Volker Haarslev, Ralf Möller
• Keywords: Graphical Layouts, Scheme Offers Specifications, TEX's Box-and-glue Metaphor, Visual Languages, VL 1990