Textual diagram layout language and visualization algorithm

Graphical diagrams are an excellent source of information for understanding models. On the other hand, editing, storing and versioning models are more efficient in textual representations. In order to combine the advantages of these two representations, diagrams have to be generated from models defined in text. The generated diagrams are usually created by autolayout algorithms based on heuristics.

I. Introduction

Textual modeling has many advantages compared to graphical one: It is faster for experienced developers to edit models in text rather than to edit graphics, which is partly the consequence of the maturity of text editors compared to graphical model editors. Model storage and version control is also easier for plain text. On the other hand, graphical visualization of certain kinds of models, like UML for example, is essential: Understanding a model is much easier by looking at an expressive diagram than reading text.