Accession Number:

ADA326030

Title:

Kaleidoscope: A Model-Based Grammar-Driven Menu Interface for Databases.

Descriptive Note:

Doctoral thesis,

Corporate Author:

STANFORD UNIV CA

Personal Author(s):

• Cha, Sang K.

Report Date:

1991-07-01

Pagination or Media Count:

142.0

Abstract:

This thesis presents the approach of Kaleidoscope, a cooperative query interface for relieving the users burden of learning and recalling. Kaleidoscope provides the user with an English-like query language EnQL for interaction with database systems. It guides the users query formulation actively via a sequence of menu interactions. Based on a grammar specifying the syntax and semantics of EnQL, the interface proposes legitimate query constituents step by step as menu choices. The objective of this grammar-driven menu guidance is to enable users to construct a meaningful query by recognizing choices that match their mental query. The interface provides additional intraquery conceptual guidance to ensure the integrity of a partial query.

Descriptors:

• *DATA BASES
• *PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
• *SEMANTICS
• *GUIDANCE
• *MAN COMPUTER INTERFACE
• *SYNTAX
• MEMORY(PSYCHOLOGY)
• INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
• THESES
• RECOGNITION
• LEARNING
• MENTAL ABILITY

Subject Categories:

• Psychology
• Computer Programming and Software
• Human Factors Engineering and Man Machine Systems

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE