There is good reason that several programmers have referred to GUIs as “point-and-grunt” interfaces. And actually programming requires even more flexibility. An intuitive and functional “intuitive” programming system is going to be based around natural language, not pretty pictures. That isn’t to say images won’t be used, most likely in structuring the sub-components of the overall program, but LabView already shows the strengths and weaknesses of that if the programmer doesn’t have sufficient linguistic control at a lower level.
ADDED:
Point and Grunt
Better known as “see and point,” the point and grunt principle is simply the principle that users interact with on-screen objects with the pointer. I have a low opinion of this principle because I blame it for lowering the cognitive functioning of users. It reduces users to the same level as children who have not yet learned to speak. While simple, it lacks expressiveness.
There is good reason that several programmers have referred to GUIs as “point-and-grunt” interfaces. And actually programming requires even more flexibility. An intuitive and functional “intuitive” programming system is going to be based around natural language, not pretty pictures. That isn’t to say images won’t be used, most likely in structuring the sub-components of the overall program, but LabView already shows the strengths and weaknesses of that if the programmer doesn’t have sufficient linguistic control at a lower level.
ADDED:
CS345 / Graphical User Interfaces: Principles of Graphical User Interface Design