MPL-a graphical programming environment for matrix processing based on logic and constraints

Abstract

The matrix is a commonly used two-dimensional data structure. On a two-dimensional display, 2-D data structures are more suitable for visualization than other linear structures such as lists. A description is given of a graphical programming environment for processing matrices, called MPL, in which matrices are integrated graphically as parts of the program. The system demonstrates that several ideas from programming language research-constraints, logic programming and functionals-can be combined with visual programming techniques to form an efficient mixed graphical-textual notation. It also provides a framework for expressing and prototyping matrix-related algorithms.<>