Towards a taxonomy for interactive graphics systems1

It has often been pointed out that the different architecture models proposed for interactive computer graphics were too much imprecise. Global architecture models intended to define the macromodules that constitute such systems do not precise the functional description nor the interface of these modules. Multi-agent models, intended to define the micro-structure of the building blocks of such systems, do not precise the criteria to be used for agent identification and structurization, nor the complete set of relationships that exists between these agents and the domain-specific component that represents the semantic part of the system. In this report we propose a taxonomy for interactive graphics systems through seven orthogonal criteria. These criteria enable to classify every systems during the analysis phase. The possible uses of this taxonomy include the following: facilitating the selection process of a suitable architecture model for a system under design, enabling the architecture model designers to precise the classes of systems that constitute the target application domain of their models, promoting the emergence of precise architecture models that address the requirements of the different categories of interactive graphics systems. 1 paru dans les Proc. of Design, Specification Validation of Interactive Systems, Palanque, P., Bastide R., Eds Springer Computer Science Series, Spronger, 1995, pp. 362-370. Towards a taxonomy for interactive graphics systems