The Latiz Palette Modeling Environment (LPME) provides for the creation of custom event-driven block models using preexisting components as described on the LPME model creation page. The LPME can be thought of as a visual application development environment, where, rather than writing code, the developer "assembles" an application by using the appropriate modeling blocks, setting their inputs, and connecting them to other blocks using I/O data connections. This is a very powerful tool for users who are comfortable with block modeling environments and require the flexibility they provide. However there is no denying that a certain level of expertise is required to effectively use such an environment, and not all users will have or want to have such expertise. This is where the concept of a Latiz Presentation Layer fits in. A presentation layer is a front-end user interface that is designed to interact with the LPME while hiding the LPME from the user. A presentation layer can be designed around a limited set of known LPME models or designed to assemble LPME models from a set of known LPME plugins. Creating a presentation layer can be useful for various circumstances such as when
- There is a requirement to provide an integrated application with tailored input interfaces and output displays and automated model assembly around a set of existing or planned LPME plugins that hides the underlying block model environment
- The planned application requires the use of known components whose number and connections need to be dynamically configurable
- There is a need to integrate various legacy codes into a cohesive application
If one or more of these conditions apply, creating an application by implementing a presentation layer is generally faster and cheaper than writing an independent application because
- Existing LPME plugins can be used to build the application functionality as a set of stored models using the LPME's graphical environment
- The built in LPME runtime logic alleviates the requirement to code new control logic
- The plugin's input parameter panel and output HUD display can often be reused
- The built in LPME graphical I/O data connection features make it easy to reconfigure the application functionality
The Latiz presentation layers concept has been used successfully at MZA Associates Corporation to develop the HELMUSE and SHADE applications. To learn more about these applications, visit the SHADE description page and the HELMUSE description page. Please contact us if your are interested in working with Latiz Technologies, LLC to develop presentation layer applications for your organization.