Applying the entity-component-system model to interaction programming

Abstract

This paper introduces a new GUI framework based on the Entity-Component-System model (ECS), where interactive elements (Entities) can acquire any data (Components). Behaviors are managed by continuously running processes (Systems) which select entities by the components they possess. This model facilitates the handling and reuse of behaviors. It allows to define the interaction modalities of an application globally, by formulating them as a set of Systems. We present Polyphony, an experimental toolkit implementing this approach, detail our interpretation of the ECS model in the context of GUIs, and demonstrate its use with a sample application.