BACKBORD
John Yen, Robert T. Neches, Michael DeBellis · ACM SIGCHI Bulletin · 1988
Several previous systems have utilized a retrieval by reformulation paradigm for query-based retrieval from databases. These systems were not designed to support other applications, such as knowledge base browsing, and lacked provisions for acting upon retrieved data. We describe a multi-purpose browsing interface that extends the retrieval by reformulation paradigm by (1) providing a set of tools for knowledge base browsing and event tracking, (2) supporting a general mechanism that enables application-builders to specify actions applicable to retrieved data, and (3) applying specification by reformulation, an interface paradigm more general than retrieval by reformulation, to actions that involve forms filling. This extends the paradigm's benefits beyond database users to both developers and users of a wide range of knowledge-based systems.