End-User Programming System with Natural Language Text and Direct Manipulation

Abstract

In this paper, a programming system for text-editing task that uses both natural language text and direct manipulation is proposed. The system is based on the idea of ""programming by paraphrasing"", which enables users with little knowledge of computer programming to make computer program by natural language texts. The case-based reasoning (CBR) method is used for paraphrasing so that the system can acquire the meanings of unknown texts from users. The direct manipulation method is also introduced into the system in order to improve the usability of the system, especially for novice users. The experimental results show that novice users can understand and use the system easily and that novice users can achieve the task as quickly as skilled ones, while novice users employ much more direct manipulations than skilled ones.