GRIFFIN : an automated grcpg and IFS processing tool : research article
Nicole Boden, Bradley Atcheson, Sigrid Ewert · South African Computer Journal · 2004
We discuss the design and development of GRIFFIN, a tool for the automated processing of generalized random context picture grammars (grcpgs) and iterated function systems (IFSs) that have been converted to grcpgs. GRIFFIN was initially developed to empirically verify recent research results that show a relationship between grcpgs and IFSs. It has subsequently evolved to facilitate further research into grcpgs and to assist university students in studying grcpg theory. Its design was challenging, due to a diverse set of requirements: the inherent complexities of grcpgs imposed the need for fast, automated application of grammar rules, while flexibility requirements demanded that the user be able to control the direction in which processing develops. GRIFFIN also needed to support a wide range of IFS functions, which are not normally found in grammar processing tools. Furthermore, it needed to be designed in a way that made it easy to maintain and extend. This paper presents the approach adopted to overcome these difficulties. We also confirm the success of this approach by presenting examples of the tool's use in grcpg research.