An application of template methodology: rapid prototyping of user interface management systems

Probably the most important characteristic of a user interface is its `look and feel'. One can model the `look and feel' of user interfaces via rapid prototyping. However, the behavior of a particular user interface is greatly influenced by the particular user interface management system (UIMS) upon which it is built, so it is necessary to prototype an interface with regard to a particular user interface management system. Moving an application and its user interface to a different UIMS may result in a user interface that behaves in a substantially different manner. The authors describe a methodology that may be used to develop a UIMS prototype using a template. This template will assist developers not only in developing new UIMSs but in evaluating the behavior of user interfaces when the underlying UIMS changes