using visual programming to extend the power of spreadsheet
We describe a new means for representing computations in spreadsheets based on the visual, object-oriented data-flow language, Prograph, rather than textual arithmetic formulae. This mechanism is illustrated using various examples to show how common spreadsheet operation such as copying and extending formulae is more naturally represented. A formal syntax and semantics is presented. Suggestions are made for how this mechanism may be used to extend the range of applications of spreadsheets from the standard numerical calculations to areas such as symbolic computations and multimedia.
visual programming visualization power spreadsheet object-oriented language examples formalism semantic applications standardization multimedia flow data