Abstraction as a means for end-user computing in creative applications

ion as a Means for End-User Computing in Creative Applications Mira Balaban ([email protected]) Eli Barzilay ([email protected]) Michael Elhadad ([email protected]) Abstract— End-User computing is needed in creative artistic applications or integrated editing environments, where the activity cannot be planned in advance. Following [1], Concrete abstractions (abstractions from examples), are suggested as a new mode for function definition, appropriate for end-user editor programmability. For certain applications, the direct, associative, not planned in advance character of concrete abstraction plays a qualitative role in the mere ability to specify abstractions. In this paper we propose to use concrete abstraction as a general tool for end-user programmability in editors. We distinguish two kinds of abstractions: value abstraction and structure abstraction, and explain how they can be combined. We describe a framework of historical editing that is based on a double view, in which the two abstraction kinds are combined. Finally, BOOMS [2], an implemented prototype for such an editing framework is described. BOOMS is a domain independent toolkit, with three sample instantiations. We believe that the proposed framework captures the conceptualization operation that characterizes creative, associative work types, and addresses the needs for end-user computing in integrated environments. End-User computing is needed in creative artistic applications or integrated editing environments, where the activity cannot be planned in advance. Following [1], Concrete abstractions (abstractions from examples), are suggested as a new mode for function definition, appropriate for end-user editor programmability. For certain applications, the direct, associative, not planned in advance character of concrete abstraction plays a qualitative role in the mere ability to specify abstractions. In this paper we propose to use concrete abstraction as a general tool for end-user programmability in editors. We distinguish two kinds of abstractions: value abstraction and structure abstraction, and explain how they can be combined. We describe a framework of historical editing that is based on a double view, in which the two abstraction kinds are combined. Finally, BOOMS [2], an implemented prototype for such an editing framework is described. BOOMS is a domain independent toolkit, with three sample instantiations. We believe that the proposed framework captures the conceptualization operation that characterizes creative, associative work types, and addresses the needs for end-user computing in integrated environments.