New Boolean Diagram constant design!

[altenbach]

The current boolean diagram constant is potentially confusing and too elaborate.

Confusing, because it almost looks like a toggle switch, so the new user might click on the right half, expecing an unconditional FALSE. However, there are no active areas, and an inversion of the current value occurs no matter where we click.

Too elaborate. All we need to see is the current value! Why do we need to see the "other" value greyed out??? We can guess that by simple elimination. 😉 There is too much redundant information, wasting twice as much diagram space than actually needed to display relevant information. The current design also makes e.g. 2D boolean diagram constant very confusing. Have a look at the image. Can you immediately tell that the 2D array on the left is only true on the diagonal? (I did not think so!). Now look at the suggestion on the right. Ahh... much better! 😄

 Suggestion:

The boolean diagram constant should be smaller, simpler, and cleaner.

The image shows the current design on the left and the suggested design on the right.

What a difference in clarity and economy!!

Message Edited by altenbach on 07-03-2009 02:39 PM

[muks]

And the suggestion is taken!!!! congrats and thank you altenbach

[Wonger]

Aristos: Oh I know... I know 🙂

[SciWare]

Brilliant idea, I like the simplicity of design. Its so easy to quickly glance at it and see the state.

[Fire]

I like this idea very much. Holger

[toniaz]

Christian Altenbach for president... (of NI) 😉

[toniaz]

Christian Altenbach for president... (of NI) 😉

Very, very handy, makes it a whole less confunsing 😄

[LarJMNG2]

You should make the index arrows bigger while you're at it. I spend way too much time trying to click those tiny little buttons...

[RavensFan]

You should really post your comment as a new idea.  It doesn't apply to the boolean constant, but applies to all arrays of any kind of datatype.

[Manzolli]

Loved it! Congratz Altenbac.

[altenbach]

> You should make the index arrows bigger while you're at it.

 The index controls are less important for diagram constants and they might even confuse the programmer if not left at 0,0. Typically, I make the container big enough to show all elements. If this is not reasonable, I add scrollbars. Many times, I hide the index display for diagram constants.

I think the current size is just fine. I don't want big flippers cluttering up the diagram. 🙂