A framework for the automated drawing of data structure diagrams

Data structure diagrams are two-dimensional figures made up of lines that aim to pictorially indicate the interrelationships of the elements of a data structure. The various rules and factors of aesthetics that go into the way data structure diagrams are drawn are collected together. The various subjective factors are formulated into computable objectives and numeric parameters. These are distilled from a large number of data structure drawings found in various textbooks. The rules used have not reached a level of acceptance comparable to that of the relevant rules in engineering graphics. The internal architecture of a (sub)system that helps draw data structure diagrams is outlined.<>