GENIUS: A Generator for Graphical User Interfaces

GENIUS (GENerator for user Interfaces Using Software ergonomic rules) is a system that generates ergonomically designed graphical user interfaces from extended data models. GENIUS is based on a methodology to develop graphical user interfaces in a stepwise procedure starting from standard data models of a specific application system (e.g. production planning and control systems). The GENIUS system transforms these models in a series of consecutive operations into an operational graphical user interface (GUI). The methodology introduces the definition of views for the specification of the data and functions required by the users. In addition, the derivation of the dialogue structure from the data model is presented. Based on the defined views, the automatic generation of the user interface is carried out by a rule-based system using explicit design rules derived from existing guidelines. Output is generated for an existing user interface management system. The approach supports rapid prototyping while using the advantages of standard software engineering methods and ensures the integration of these methods with user interface design. GENIUS has been tested for the development of a series of graphical user interfaces for production planning and control systems. It has been used in typical migration situations from alphanumerical systems to be migrated into client/server solutions with graphical user interfaces as well as for the development of new systems for different platforms.