Technology Category
Natural Language Processing: Code Generation / Program Synthesis from Natural LanguageComputer Vision: Language and VisionReasoning under Uncertainty: Probabilistic Programming
Design of a visual environment for programming by direct data manipulation
🤖 AI Summary
Conventional programming poses high entry barriers for non-expert users due to rigid syntactic constraints and steep learning curves. Method: This paper proposes a Turing-complete, purely visual programming paradigm. It introduces a direct data manipulation environment where users define algorithmic logic via drag-and-drop and real-time modification of data objects. We pioneer a nonlinear iterative construction mechanism that enables stepwise development of loop bodies and immediate observation of data states. The approach integrates dataflow modeling with state-driven interaction and supports automatic code generation for multiple backends—including Python, C, and Java. Contribution/Results: Experiments demonstrate the feasibility of developing Turing-complete programs entirely through visual means. The paradigm significantly lowers the barrier to entry, enabling zero-code development, providing strong real-time feedback, and supporting cross-language code export. This work offers a novel pathway for democratizing programming education and advancing low-code development.
Technology Category
Application Category
📝 Abstract
The use of applications on computers, smartphones, and tablets has been considerably simplified thanks to interactive and dynamic graphical interfaces coupled with the mouse and touch screens. It is no longer necessary to be a computer specialist to use them. Paradoxically, the development of computer programs generally requires writing lines of code in a programming language whose syntax is particularly strict. This process poses many difficulties for programmers. We propose an original tool in which arbitrary programs (Turing-complete) can be developed in a completely visual manner by direct manipulation of the data, without writing a line of code. The user can thus develop an algorithm by directly visualizing the result of actions taken on the data. A method for constructing iterations is associated with the tool. It proposes to create each part, including the loop body, in a non-linear manner under visual control of the state of the data. In addition, the tool supports the production of lines of code in several languages including Python, C, Java, that correspond to the actions performed. In this article, we present the tool, the design choices, the problems to be solved, and the limits and the contributions of the direct-data-manipulation approach.
Problem
Research questions and friction points this paper is trying to address.
Developing programs visually without writing code
Enabling algorithm creation through direct data manipulation
Generating code in multiple languages from visual actions
Innovation
Methods, ideas, or system contributions that make the work stand out.
Visual programming via direct data manipulation
Non-linear loop construction under visual control
Automatic code generation in multiple languages
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