Use of 3D metaphor in programming

John F. Hopkins; Paul A. Fishwick

doi:10.1117/12.389387

23 June 2000 Use of 3D metaphor in programming

John F. Hopkins, Paul A. Fishwick

Proceedings Volume 4026, Enabling Technology for Simulation Science IV; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.389387
Event: AeroSense 2000, 2000, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

The use of metaphor in programming can be a powerful aid to the programmer, inasmuch as it provides concrete properties to abstract ideas. In turn, these concrete properties can aid recognition of, and reasoning about, programming problems. Another potential benefit of the use of metaphor in programming is the improvement of mental retention of facts and solutions to programming problems. Traditionally, programs have been produced in a textual medium. However, a textual medium may be inferior to a 3D medium in the development and use of metaphor, as the concrete properties that metaphors provide are real-world phenomena, which are naturally 3D. An example of the use of 3D metaphors in programming was created. This consisted of a mock operating system task scheduler, along with some associated hardware devices, developed in a VRML environment using VRML PROTO nodes. These nodes were designed as objects based on real- world metaphors. The issues, problems, and novelties involved in programming in this manner were explored.

Citation Download Citation

John F. Hopkins and Paul A. Fishwick "Use of 3D metaphor in programming", Proc. SPIE 4026, Enabling Technology for Simulation Science IV, (23 June 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.389387

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available