VALUATION LINKS: FORMALLY EXTENDING THE COMPUTATIONAL POWER OF HYPERTEXT

Abstract

We view hypertext as an inherently dynamic concept to incorporate in the interface of dynamic information systems. What challenges does hypertext face in a constantly changing environment? In this paper, we discuss the benefits and the problems we face in our research into hypertext-oriented decision support systems. Then we focus on a new hypertext construct beneficial to this domain: valuation links. Valuation links support the dynamic spreading of computation via a well defined link traversal operation. We present two classes of such links: static and dynamic, and specify an algorithm for their traversal. We also show how these constructs can be used in sophisticated DSS environments.