Programming using dynamic system modeling via a 3D-based multimodeling framework

We propose a new approach to visual programming which adopts principles and elements from dynamic multimodeling for structured procedural programming, especially graphics programming. Unlike most traditional visual programming languages which simply replace syntactic parts of program with graphical objects, we applied the principles of dynamic model types in modeling and simulation to create program models and execute/simulate them. With this approach, computer programs are constructed by visual modeling instead of textual writing. The motivation for a method using dynamic model types in graphics programming is also tied to several emerging research areas: novice user interfaces, programming visualization, customized icons, and a broader view of aesthetics within programming. Metaphoric icons are extensively used for the visual representation of program model elements. Rube, a Web and XML-based modeling and simulation framework, provides the necessary environment for the construction, visualization and execution of program models.