Visual Query Systems: A Taxonomy
Carlo Batini, Tiziana Catarci, Maria Francesca Costabile, STEFANO LEVIALDI · 1991
Visual Query Systems (VQS) are query systems using visual representations to denote the domain of interest and express related requests; they may be seen as an evolution of query languages adopted in database management systems. VQS are investigated to solve present day problems of conventional query systems. The most significant needs are: to provide a friendly man-machine interaction, to allow database search by non-technical users, to introduce a mechanism for comfortable navigation even in cases of incomplete and ambiguous queries. In order to explain, compare and evaluate the different features of the existing and suggested VQS, a taxonomy is proposed, based on expressive power, usability and classes of potential users. To clarify some taxonomic criteria, examples of representative VQS are given. 1. INTRODUCTION Many studies have been performed to improve man-machine interaction for allowing fruitful and friendly use of complex programs. Traditionally, in order to teach what speci...