The key principle in choosing the notation was that it would be possible to read the
whole speci?¬?cation from the visually represented model. This was a realistic objective
because each concept had relatively little data. The notation applied a visualization
pattern based on the type of concept: similar kinds of language concepts were
represented with the same shape. For example, all switches were represented as
rectangles and locations as rounded rectangles. To further improve the readability,
small icons were used in symbols to illustrate the concept: all switches have an icon
representing choice; for example, the time switch has a small watch icon. Similarly,
the relationships used to mark the Default path and Otherwise path were also
graphically distinguished: the usual default path, including root start and signaling
actions, was represented with a solid line and the Otherwise path was represented with
a dotted line. The relationships also showed the path values, such as choices made for
proxies and location lookups. Root was illustrated using a circle similar to the start
state in many state transition diagrams.
To make the notation aesthetically pleasing, the language was ?¬?nalized by
adding different colors; ?¬?ll colors for the symbols and icons made the notation
easier to read. For example, all signaling actions were represented in light brown.
Pages:
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230