Model-driven development of augmented reality-based editors for domain specific languages

Abstract

Designing visual models to describe and conceptualize objects and systems requires abstraction skills and a predisposition for visual interactions. Readily available modeling tools rely on the users’ logical-mathematical and visual-spatial abilities to support modeling design. However, they fall short of mechanisms to tap into the users’ bodily-kinesthetic abilities. This research presents a model-driven framework to automatically develop visual editors to work with Domain Specific Languages in tangible interaction environments. The framework is illustrated through the development of an editor of entity-relationship models supported by augmented reality. The editor usability evaluation indicates good acceptance by users as well as potential to support alternative interactions and to learn database concepts.