User-driven modelling: Visualisation and systematic interaction for end-user programming

This research enables computer literate engineers to model problems in software by minimising code they need to write. Software development is difficult for many engineers as they may have no time, experience, or access to software development tools necessary to model their problems. Using a combination of modelling via use of formulae (equations) and visualisation of the way these formulae interact, it is possible to construct modelling software without requiring code. This technique of user-driven modelling/programming (UDM/P) could be applied to any problem that requires linked equations to be represented and tracked, and results from these calculated. End-user programming could be tackled by many researchers co-operating to create specific solutions to different kinds of end-user programming problems. A stepped ontology based translation process assists with progress towards a generic solution, this is first applied to engineering modelling.

► The research question is the extent to which diagrammatic programming is possible.
► The technique investigated is user-driven modelling.
► A survey provides feedback for this technique.
► The technique is illustrated with examples.
► The technique is most suitable to tree-based problems.