THE rube METHODOLOGY FOR 3-D SOFTWARE ENGINEERING

We discuss a strategy to allow developers to create their own aesthetic and cultural modeling frameworks without being tied down to a set of predefined symbols or objects. Toward this end, the rube paradigm presents a modeling and programming methodology that promotes three-dimensional visualization of model architecture and operation based on user-specified metaphors. The rationale behind rube, its general approach to modeling and representation, and some example products are presented. We have found this approach provides great flexibility to the novice modeler and those wishing to learn about the structure and function of dynamic models, including those found in software engineering.