Visual programming, also known as visual programming, has always been a much-discussed "hot technology". On the one hand, programmers resist it and feel that it is better to develop with code. On the other hand, for amateurs who know a little bit about development, such as product managers, it does provide value. So, what exactly is it? This article will introduce the definition, application, and advantages of visual programming from three aspects.
1. Visual programming definition
Visual programming refers to the development method in which developers use various controls provided by the development platform to build various interfaces of the application in a "building block style" without programming. Visual programming has two typical characteristics:
1. Visual programming is based on object-oriented thinking, introducing two concepts of "control" and "event-driven"
(1) Object-oriented:
Object-oriented is a programming paradigm that encapsulates data and methods of manipulating data to form objects. In visual programming, the idea of object-oriented is adopted, and the application program or system is regarded as composed of various objects, and each object has its own properties and methods.
(2) Controls:
Controls are the basic building blocks in visual programming, referring to visual elements on a graphical interface, such as buttons, text boxes, list boxes, and so on. Each control has its own characteristics and behaviors, and they can be manipulated and controlled through property settings and method calls.
(3) Event driven:
Event-driven in visual programming refers to the interaction between controls and users. When the user interacts with the control, such as clicking a button or entering text, these actions trigger specific events. The program will respond to these events according to the pre-set event handlers, and perform corresponding operations or functions.
By introducing the concept of controls and event-driven mechanism, visual programming realizes the interaction between users and applications. The user triggers an event by operating the control, and performs corresponding processing and logic operations in the event handler, making the behavior of the application more flexible and customizable.
2. In visual programming, the interface is generally built first, and then the program code is written based on the event, and the configuration responds to the interactive action.
Throughout the process, developers need to master several basic concepts: components, attributes, events, and methods.
(1) Components
Components are the parts that make up the page, such as check boxes, radio buttons, etc.
(2) attributes
The properties of components are properties, such as size, color, whether it is visible, whether it is valid, and so on.
(3) Events
The operation on the component is an event, for example, the action of clicking the mouse is called "Click event".
(4) method
A method is a specific operation to be performed after a certain event occurs. For example, when the "Exit" button is clicked, the program will end after executing a command. This execution process is a method.
2. Visual programming application
Visual programming has a wide range of applications. It can be mainly used in data analysis and data visualization, software application development, game development, machine learning and artificial intelligence. Let's take the low-code development platform - Jiema as an example to introduce visual programming Applications in software development.
The Jiema low-code platform is a rapid development platform owned by Yuantiao. It can quickly build a front-end interface through "drag and drop" components, and complete data access through configuration databases, java services, and third parties.
The software development process of Magma is shown in the figure
The design interface of Magma is as follows, which consists of three parts: canvas, components, and page properties:
(1) Canvas: The main area for user visual design and configuration, which integrates a series of visual editing operations and functions such as product rendering, dragging, and selection.
(2) Components: Atomically encapsulate the elements used in the page, and enable components to be adaptively adjusted through configuration options, which can be dragged from the component list to the canvas of the designer.
(3) Page properties: You can set the properties of the components here, and set the interaction between components.
In addition, Magma also provides rich page templates to support developers to develop directly on the templates.
3. Advantages of visual programming
(1) Improve development efficiency
Visual programming reduces the workload and learning costs of coding, making the development process more efficient. Developers can complete complex logic and function realization through intuitive operations.
(2) Lower technical threshold
Visual programming does not require in-depth study of complex programming languages and technical details, which reduces the requirements for technical background. This enables non-technical personnel to participate in application development, promoting collaboration and innovation across departments.
(3) Provide a more intuitive visual display
Visual programming displays the logic and functions of the program through a graphical interface, making it easier for developers and users to understand and communicate. Visual display can also provide users with a better user experience, increasing the attractiveness and ease of use of the application.
Today, with the wave of digitalization sweeping the world, the rapid digital transformation of industries has become the primary proposition of all countries. In terms of quickly completing digital transformation, visual programming technology provides a way to improve work efficiency. Therefore, although most programmers are still denying the value of visual programming technology today, its importance in the history of software development cannot be denied.