Cognitive dimensions of notations

Cognitive dimensions or cognitive dimensions of notations^[1]^[2] are design principles for notations, user interfaces and programming languages, described by researcher Thomas R.G. Green^[3] and further researched with Marian Petre.^[1] The dimensions can be used to evaluate the usability of an existing information artifact, or as heuristics to guide the design of a new one, and are useful in Human-Computer Interaction design.^[4]

Cognitive dimensions are designed to provide a lightweight approach to analyse the quality of a design, rather than an in-depth, detailed description. They provide a common vocabulary for discussing many factors in notation, UI or programming language design. Also, cognitive dimensions help in exploring the space of possible designs through design maneuvers, changes intended to improve the design along one dimension.

^ ^a ^b Green, T. R. G.; Petre, M. (1996). "Usability analysis of visual programming environments: A 'cognitive dimensions' framework". Journal of Visual Languages & Computing. 7 (2): 131–174. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.22.1477. doi:10.1006/jvlc.1996.0009. S2CID 11750514.
^ Green, T. R. G. (2000). "Instructions and Descriptions: some cognitive aspects of programming and similar activities". CiteSeerX 10.1.1.32.8003.
^ Green, Thomas RG (1989). "Cognitive Dimensions of Notations". People and Computers. V: 443–460. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.128.270.
^ A. F. Blackwell, C. Britton, A. Cox, T. R. G. Green, C. Gurr, G. Kadoda, M. S. Kutar, M. Loomes, C. L. Nehaniv, M. Petre, C. Roast, C. Roe, A. Wong, R. M. Young, "Cognitive Dimensions of Notations: Design Tools for Cognitive Technology", Springer Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 2117, 325-341, 2001. doi:10.1007/3-540-44617-6_31

[:0-1] Green, T. R. G.; Petre, M. (1996). "Usability analysis of visual programming environments: A 'cognitive dimensions' framework". Journal of Visual Languages & Computing. 7 (2): 131–174. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.22.1477. doi:10.1006/jvlc.1996.0009. S2CID 11750514.

[2] Green, T. R. G. (2000). "Instructions and Descriptions: some cognitive aspects of programming and similar activities". CiteSeerX 10.1.1.32.8003.

[3] Green, Thomas RG (1989). "Cognitive Dimensions of Notations". People and Computers. V: 443–460. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.128.270.

[4] A. F. Blackwell, C. Britton, A. Cox, T. R. G. Green, C. Gurr, G. Kadoda, M. S. Kutar, M. Loomes, C. L. Nehaniv, M. Petre, C. Roast, C. Roe, A. Wong, R. M. Young, "Cognitive Dimensions of Notations: Design Tools for Cognitive Technology", Springer Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 2117, 325-341, 2001. doi:10.1007/3-540-44617-6_31

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