A model for user interaction in grammar-based systems

Grammar-based production systems are considered potentially powerful design tools by their ability to generate sets of designs adhering to user-specified constraints. However, development of such tools has been slow, partly because of the lack of good interaction between user and system. This paper describes modes of user interaction and control possible with grammar-based design systems and presents issues to be examined in the development of models that represent the locus of interactions possible with such systems. The examination of existing grammar-based systems provides empirical evidence to support the validity of such models.