Dmitry A. Vazhenin

Movie-Based multimedia environment for programming and algorithms design

In the presented work, we introduce a concept of the Movie-Based Programming based on movie-like representation of algorithms and methods. It provides correspondence between algorithmic movie frames and problem solution steps that any frame should visualize/animate a part of a program/algorithm execution. The programming process is in manipulating with special movie-program objects (MP-objects) generating automatically a part of an executable code as well as producing frames, which are adequate to the code generated. It also includes a special multimedia language with high-level constructions and operators in order to make the programming process more efficient and comfortable. Both movie and program can synchronously be generated and debugged. A debugging scheme allows visualizing and controlling all references to the structure elements.

Movie-based representation of reduction operations in numerical computing

Movie-based visual programming is an approach for creating computational programs utilizing animation frames of space structure scanning correlated with arithmetic and logical operations. The assignment of the operations on the frame structure nodes is implemented by coloring corresponding structure areas and specifying appropriate formulas on those areas. This programming is based on special acquisition of data/knowledge to generate executable code and to help application programmers in decision making. In this paper, an approach is considered for representing group reduction procedures (reduction and prefix sums, products, maximum/minimum search, etc.) that are widely used in various applications and libraries oriented to parallel and distributed computations. Within a process, new visual constructs and symbols including their syntax and semantics are introduced to define the procedures. In addition, a method of automatic production of template programs supporting the code generation is presented. The applicability of the procedures for high-level visual programming is demonstrated by an algorithm implementing the least-squares fitting method.

WEB-based task management tools in e-learning environment

In the presented paper, we discuss an approach implementing comfortable task management procedures for problems or exercises requiring processing of mathematical expressions, and providing verifications procedures not only for numerical answers but also formulas. An on-line task management teacher-student collaboration scheme is proposed. E-learning task management components are shown including the system database structure, formula engine architecture as well as answers verification strategies. The verifications of formula answers are based on transforming to a unified ordered form using symbolic algebraic conversions. The human/computer interface features are demonstrated including HTML- and GUI-interfaces.

MP-Templates Operating Toolkit in Movie-Based Programming

The movie-based representation of algorithms and programs is in showing their features as a sequence of animation frames. Accordingly, any animation frame should visualize/animate a corresponding stage of a program/algorithm execution. Each movie-program frame (MP-frame) shows highlighted elements of parameterized data structures defining operations on them and reflecting algorithm logic. Each operation is tagged by a unique color. Special control lines allow referencing these colored areas as well as changing dynamically their sizes and placement. The key point is that elements in these areas are coloring not manually by a programmer, but automatically using MP-templates each of which specifies a particular principle depending on formal parameters.In this paper we describe an approach and tools to create and use MP-templates for movie-based programs. An MP-template is the major independent and self-sufficient component same as in conventional programming languages. A special visual technique is proposed for development of an optimal and correct MP-template for various possible parameters like placement coordinates, shape, order of scanning, etc. in order to decrease difficulties and time-consuming userpsilas actions. Also, a various handling concepts are introduced to manage the MP-templates library and use MP-templates in a movie-based programming process. A software toolkit implementing proposed features as well as usage examples will also be presented.

Movie-Based Multimedia Matrix Library

The paper describes a library supporting effective programming and design of matrix algorithms and programs, The important feature of proposed library is the visual algorithm representation using a movie-based approach. The user has a deal with special multimedia objects, each of which can generate an executable code as well as produce animation frames. These objects build an algorithmic skeleton representing the steps of computation. In this paper, we show the main features of movie-based programming as well as describe the movie-based matrix library. Examples of the library usage are also presented

Web-based environment for programming and distance learning

The paper presents the main elements of the WWW-based environment supporting development and execution of a big variety of users applications. The system has universal interface allowing comfortable and unified manipulations with different project data. The system supports different types of the users projects distinguished according to programming platforms and languages, type of a target machine, users specialization, etc. We show also distance learning projects considering as teacher/student programming workplaces as well as supporting non-programming courses.

Web-based platform for multimedia programming

This paper describes basic elements of the Web-based platform for multimedia programming which is designed in the framework of the WWW-oriented workplace of applied programmer (W4AP). The proposed platform hides the insignificant features of software and hardware from the applied programmers and provides a unified style for different programming development tools; a comfortable environment combining visual and multimedia programming technologies. The architecture of the W4AP server is shown supporting a programming process and manipulations with multimedia data. Examples are demonstrated of the practical use of the proposed platform as well as user interface features

Service oriented movie-based programming environment

Movie-based (MB) programming environment is a visual programming platform for creating algorithms and programs applying animation frames with computational and sensible operations. It facilitates the users understanding and debugging of a program by coloring correlated areas of structures, introducing appropriate computational formulas as well as specifying algorithmic and logical behavior of those areas. The goal of the presented work is adapting the current system to Service-oriented Architecture in order to organize a sharable storage and server-based execution of MB-programs and algorithms. Therefore, the MB-programs/algorithms could be shared and reused by different developers. In this paper, features of MB-programming paradigm and the corresponding software are presented, which are used to enhance capabilities for data/knowledge and execution management. In the framework of Virtual-MVC design pattern, the MB-management architecture, components design steps and a prototype of service-oriented MB-programming environment are discussed, including concepts and examples of usage.

Shape-based computations on regular processor networks

Spatial structures are particularly suited to the definition of parallel programs, due to their homogeneity. The Movie-based Programming Framework allows specification of computations on regular networks of processors, and the visualization of the computation progress as processors are activated. Computations over spatial structures are specified by composing independent views on propagation of control flows and formulae defining local computations. A shape pattern indicates which processors have to be active during a specific phase of the computation. A visit pattern defines the law of propagation for actual processor activation. By combining these types of patterns, we achieve sophisticated forms of specification. In particular, one specifies visitors implementing collective communication schemas widely used in parallel programming: broadcast, gather, scatter and reduction. As a result, automatic generation of visit algorithms adapted to different network configurations is made possible, thus facilitating experimentation with different laws and their visualization.