Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!bellcore!dduck!hammy From: hammy@dduck.ctt.bellcore.com (john g. smith) Newsgroups: comp.cog-eng Subject: Re: Visual Languages Message-ID: <17604@bellcore.bellcore.com> Date: 13 Sep 89 12:47:18 GMT References: Sender: news@bellcore.bellcore.com Reply-To: hammy@dduck.UUCP (john g. smith) Distribution: comp Organization: Bellcore, Piscataway, NJ Lines: 19 The discussion of universal icons doesn't necessarily apply to that of visual programming languages. As you pointed out, VPL's are most likely to be useful in bounded, specialized, domains. It is probably safe to assume that a user of such a language will be fluent in the language of that domain. So if the language is, say, for building programs to simulate telephone networks, the users will be familiar with what telephone networks are, what is typically found in a central office, etc. In addition, they will be familiar with certain "icons" - in most network diagrams, a central office is represented by a box with an inscribed circle containing the letters CO. My advice is to know your target audience, get familiar with their language, and then use that language. John. _____ John G. Smith email : hammy@ctt.bellcore.com RRC 1H-213 voice : (201) 699-4530