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The keyboard model is tied to the use of source code, and source code to the keyboard. This implies wholesale replacement of source code. Probably with an ico
by Hoff 17y ago
The keyboard model is tied to the use of source code, and source code to the keyboard.
This implies wholesale replacement of source code. Probably with an icon-based language and drag and drop development environment. This also implies a substantial library of icons be available for various common tasks; of very substantial task abstractions.
Classic development and debugging and tracing models are all tied to the screen space.
This implies having extra display space available that can be slid into view on demand whether for selecting tasks or for tracking, or a requirement for in-band debugging displays, or removing the need for debugging and tracing.
You will need to build a box of task blocks, an icon drag-n-drop IDE, and icon-based debug and trace. And you will want ancillary pieces, including dump and trace and update tools.
In Apple Xcode terms, a gonzo and finger-based and viewport-constrained IB.
Sounds fun.
- neilk 17y agoPeople have tried to make general-purpose visual programming languages for decades and as far as I know they've failed every time. I believe that real hacking is linguistic, and that's just not isomorphic to anything in two dimensions. There are many specialized tasks which sort of work, like dataflow programming or music sequencing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_%28software%29 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_%28software%29
- Hoff 17y agoYou're not likely to build a web server nor other general application within these constraints, but purpose-targeted applications with capabilities somewhat past an etch-a-sketch UI do seem feasible. Think Pokemon. Not "general purpose". And the vendor can sell "widget packs" for these target applications.