Morphic (software)
Encyclopedia
The name "Morphic" was taken from the Greek word "morph", its morphs taking on the role of "forms", the basic graphical building blocks in earlier Self systems and in Smalltalk MVC.
Morphic is a direct-manipulation user interface
(UI) construction kit based on display trees. A Morphic interface is built out of graphical objects known as morphs (from the Greek
word for form or thing), which allow for a great degree of flexibility and dynamicism.
Originally developed by Randy Smith and John Maloney for the Self programming language
system, Morphic was ported to Squeak
Smalltalk
by John Maloney, where it takes the place of the original Model-view-controller
(MVC) architecture as default. (MVC is also available within Squeak
versions 3.8 and earlier.) Morphic is also used in Lively Kernel
, an experimental UI toolkit from Sun Microsystems
which is written in JavaScript
and Scalable Vector Graphics
(SVG). On a higher abstraction level Morphic is also used in the enterprise performance management toolkit of doCOUNT, based on Ruby on Rails
.
The name "Morphic" nowadays is also used in the meaning "allowing for a great degree of flexibility and dynamicism for change".
Morphic is a direct-manipulation user interface
User interface
The user interface, in the industrial design field of human–machine interaction, is the space where interaction between humans and machines occurs. The goal of interaction between a human and a machine at the user interface is effective operation and control of the machine, and feedback from the...
(UI) construction kit based on display trees. A Morphic interface is built out of graphical objects known as morphs (from the Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
word for form or thing), which allow for a great degree of flexibility and dynamicism.
Originally developed by Randy Smith and John Maloney for the Self programming language
Programming language
A programming language is an artificial language designed to communicate instructions to a machine, particularly a computer. Programming languages can be used to create programs that control the behavior of a machine and/or to express algorithms precisely....
system, Morphic was ported to Squeak
Squeak
The Squeak programming language is a Smalltalk implementation. It is object-oriented, class-based and reflective.It was derived directly from Smalltalk-80 by a group at Apple Computer that included some of the original Smalltalk-80 developers...
Smalltalk
Smalltalk
Smalltalk is an object-oriented, dynamically typed, reflective programming language. Smalltalk was created as the language to underpin the "new world" of computing exemplified by "human–computer symbiosis." It was designed and created in part for educational use, more so for constructionist...
by John Maloney, where it takes the place of the original Model-view-controller
Model-view-controller
Model–view–controller is a software architecture, currently considered an architectural pattern used in software engineering. The pattern isolates "domain logic" from the user interface , permitting independent development, testing and maintenance of each .Model View Controller...
(MVC) architecture as default. (MVC is also available within Squeak
Squeak
The Squeak programming language is a Smalltalk implementation. It is object-oriented, class-based and reflective.It was derived directly from Smalltalk-80 by a group at Apple Computer that included some of the original Smalltalk-80 developers...
versions 3.8 and earlier.) Morphic is also used in Lively Kernel
Lively Kernel
The Lively Kernel is an open source web programming environment. It supports desktop-style applications with rich graphics and direct manipulation abilities, but without the installation or upgrade troubles of conventional desktop applications...
, an experimental UI toolkit from Sun Microsystems
Sun Microsystems
Sun Microsystems, Inc. was a company that sold :computers, computer components, :computer software, and :information technology services. Sun was founded on February 24, 1982...
which is written in JavaScript
JavaScript
JavaScript is a prototype-based scripting language that is dynamic, weakly typed and has first-class functions. It is a multi-paradigm language, supporting object-oriented, imperative, and functional programming styles....
and Scalable Vector Graphics
Scalable Vector Graphics
Scalable Vector Graphics is a family of specifications of an XML-based file format for describing two-dimensional vector graphics, both static and dynamic . The SVG specification is an open standard that has been under development by the World Wide Web Consortium since 1999.SVG images and their...
(SVG). On a higher abstraction level Morphic is also used in the enterprise performance management toolkit of doCOUNT, based on Ruby on Rails
Ruby on Rails
Ruby on Rails, often shortened to Rails or RoR, is an open source web application framework for the Ruby programming language.-History:...
.
The name "Morphic" nowadays is also used in the meaning "allowing for a great degree of flexibility and dynamicism for change".