Graphical Program Generation from Prototyping Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prototyping environments often require users to master traditional text-based programming languages, which creates a barrier in efficiently utilizing computer systems and limits the ability to customize solutions, as they are specialized for ease of use in specific domains but lack flexibility for integration with other applications.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for automatically generating graphical programs from prototyping environments, allowing users to create solutions as graphical programs that can be run independently, enabling integration with various applications and environments without requiring expertise in text-based programming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users master traditional text-based programming languages to use prototyping environments, then the ability to create customized solutions is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the complexity and learning curve of text-based programming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a translation system that acts as an intermediary between the prototyping environment and text-based programming languages. This translator automatically converts prototypes created in the visual environment into executable text-based code, allowing users to benefit from both the ease of visual prototyping and the versatility of text-based programming without needing to manually learn programming syntax
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the prototype's functionality in text-based code through automatic translation. The generated code replicates the behavior and logic of the visual prototype, enabling the solution to be executed in environments that require traditional programming languages while maintaining the original ease of creation
2Ease of operation
If prototyping environments are specialized for specific domains to improve ease of use, then the ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability to integrate with other applications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The translation system provides multi-functionality by enabling prototypes created in domain-specific environments to be translated and executed in multiple different target environments. This allows a single specialized prototyping environment to serve multiple purposes and integrate with various applications through code generation, bridging the gap between domain specialization and general adaptability
3Adaptability or versatility
If users manually code solutions in text-based programming languages to achieve customization, then the adaptability is improved, but the productivity deteriorates due to the time required to master and write code
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically generating the text-based code before the user would need to write it manually. The translation process creates ready-to-use code that implements the prototype's functionality, eliminating the time-consuming process of manual coding while preserving the ability to customize through the prototype design phase
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for automatically generating a graphical program from a prototyping environment application. By utilizing an application specialized for developing solutions to problems in a particular domain, i.e., a prototyping environment, a user may develop a solution to a problem, i.e., a prototype. The prototype may comprise a series of functions that form an algorithm or process. Once the user has developed the desired prototype, the user may request the prototyping environment to automatically, i.e., programmatically, generate a graphical program implementing the prototype, e.g., in order to run the program independently of the prototyping environment. In various embodiments, the prototyping environment may be operable to generate any of various types of graphical programs. Once the graphical program has been generated, the program may be modified as desired, e.g., in order to include features not available from the prototyping environment that generated the program.