Scope: automated generation of graphical interfaces

Abstract

We describe the design and prototype implementation of Scope, a system that generates graphical user interfaces for applications programmed in C++. The programmer chooses application data objects and functions that define the capabilities of the interface. At runtime, an interface design component, implemented as a set of production system rules, transforms this semantic specification into an interface built using a window system, an associated user interface toolkit, and the hardware input devices available on the system. The rules match application requirements against a semantic description of the toolkit, selecting virtual devices for input, output, and layout. Thus, Scope uses design rules to create interfaces from high-level programming semantics that are customized both for the application and the run-time environment.