Graph Description Language (GDL)

GDL is an ASCII text representation of a graph. It describes a graph in terms of nodes, edges, subgraphs and attributes. A subgraph is described as a normal graph except that it is specified inside another graph, meaning that graph specifications can be nested. aiSee provides special operations for subgraphs such as folding to a summary node, boxing, clustering, or wrapping.

Graphs, nodes and edges may have attributes that specify details of their appearance such as colors, sizes, shapes etc.

There is always only one top-level graph.

It is also possible to specify regions that are to be initially folded after starting aiSee.

aiSee also accepts the #line directives of the C preprocessor. The macro processing facilities of the C preprocessor offer some tricky possibilities for graph specifications. For example, using a macro directive would enable different languages for node labels to be chosen.

Free GDL syntax highlighting packages are available for a number of major open-source text editors/viewers.

GDL » Graph format » Node format » Edge format » Attribute format » Region format » Graph attributes » Node attributes » Edge attributes » Colors » Icons and bitmap fonts » User Actions » Character set » GDL's grammar

For novices »  GDL in a Nutshell Learn the basics of GDL in a few steps »  GDL in a Nutshell: Slides Learn GDL by viewing this slide show »  GDL examples Understand how to create your own GDL files by viewing these example sources »  Commented GDL examples with step-by-step explanations » A cyclic graph » Control flow graph » The effect of the layout algorithms » Tree layout » Combination of features

» Next: Graph format
» Prev: Reducing layout time

Last modified on 28 May 2005 by webmaster. © 2000-2005 AbsInt.
URL: http://www.aisee.com/manual/unix/33.htm

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