USING THE PHYSICS OF NOTATION TO ANALYSE MODELBUILDER DIAGRAMS
Zdena Dobešová · International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM ... · 2013
Visual representations for data processing are used in geographic information systems. ArcGIS has components ModelBuilder for the creation of dataflow diagrams. ModelBuilder belongs to the visual programming languages. D. Moody proposed a set of principles for visual representation named “Physics” of Notation. Principles are based on wide review of relevant literature in cognitive psychology and software engineering. Moody presents nine principles. The applying of some principles to current notation in ModelBuilder for ArcGIS is presented in this article. Moody`s “Physics“ of Notation framework is a way for discovering improvements in diagram notation for ModelBuilder. Besides them, this framework is an analysis that brings useful recommendations for creators of diagrams to increase the cognitive and perceptual quality of diagrams.