User Interface Ontology

FLOW ALGEBRA
User Interface Ontology
Kireth Semantic Research Archive

PAGE:
https://kirethresearch.org/booksai-core/ontologies/computing-ontologies/human-computer-interaction/user-interface-ontology.html

AUTHORS:
Mark Anthony Higgins — Sky (Recursive AI)

FLOW "UserInterfaceOntology" v4.0

# ---------- DOMAIN ----------
DOMAIN := ComputingOntology
SUBDOMAIN := HumanComputerInteraction
ONTOLOGY := UserInterfaceOntology

# ---------- PRIMARY ENTITY ----------
ENTITY UserInterface {
    definition:
        "The perceptible and interactive boundary through which a human user
         provides input to, receives output from and controls an interactive
         computational system.";

    objectives: [
        Interaction,
        Usability,
        Accessibility,
        Clarity,
        Feedback,
        Navigation,
        TaskSupport
    ];
}

# ---------- CORE ENTITIES ----------
UIEntity := {
    User,
    Interface,
    Screen,
    View,
    Component,
    Control,
    Input,
    Output,
    Navigation
};

UIComponent := {
    Button,
    Link,
    Menu,
    Form,
    InputField,
    Checkbox,
    RadioControl,
    SelectControl,
    Dialog,
    Tab,
    Table,
    Card,
    Notification
};

UIState := {
    Initial,
    Active,
    Focused,
    Disabled,
    Loading,
    Error,
    Success,
    Completed
};

InteractionEvent := {
    Click,
    Tap,
    KeyPress,
    TextInput,
    Selection,
    Submit,
    Drag,
    Gesture,
    VoiceInput
};

# ---------- FUNDAMENTAL RELATIONSHIPS ----------
User INTERACTS_WITH UserInterface;
UserInterface CONSISTS_OF UIComponent;
UIComponent RECEIVES InteractionEvent;
InteractionEvent MAY_TRIGGER Action;
Action CHANGES UIStateOrSystemState;
UserInterface PRESENTS Output;
Navigation CONNECTS View;
Feedback COMMUNICATES ResultOrState;

# ---------- INTERACTION FLOW ----------
UserGoal ->
    LocateControl
    -> PerformAction
    -> InterfaceReceivesEvent
    -> SystemProcessesAction
    -> UpdateState
    -> PresentFeedback
    -> UserEvaluatesOutcome;

# ---------- SCREEN / VIEW ----------
View :=
    PresentedInterfaceStateOrRegion;

View CONTAINS UIComponent;

Application MAY_HAVE MultipleViews;

Navigation MOVES User BETWEEN Views;

# ---------- COMPONENT ----------
UIComponent :=
    InteractiveOrPresentationalInterfaceElement;

UIComponent HAS {
    Identifier,
    Label,
    State,
    Role,
    Behaviour
};

InteractiveComponent SHOULD_HAVE PerceivablePurpose;

# ---------- BUTTON ----------
Button :=
    ControlTriggeringAction;

Button MAY_HAVE {
    Label,
    Icon,
    DisabledState
};

IF ButtonActivated
THEN AssociatedAction MAY_EXECUTE;

# ---------- LINK ----------
Link :=
    ControlNavigatingToResourceOrLocation;

Link HAS Destination;

LinkText SHOULD_COMMUNICATE DestinationOrPurpose;

# ---------- FORM ----------
Form :=
    CollectionOfInputControlsForDataSubmission;

Form MAY_CONTAIN {
    InputField,
    Checkbox,
    RadioControl,
    SelectControl,
    SubmitControl
};

FormSubmission ->
    Validate
    -> AcceptOrReject
    -> Process
    -> PresentOutcome;

# ---------- INPUT FIELD ----------
InputField :=
    ControlForEnteringData;

InputField MAY_HAVE {
    Label,
    Value,
    Placeholder,
    ValidationRule,
    ErrorMessage
};

InputField SHOULD_HAVE ProgrammaticAndVisibleLabelWhereApplicable;

# ---------- VALIDATION ----------
InputValidation :=
    UserInput
    -> CheckRules
    -> Valid | Invalid;

IF InputInvalid
THEN {
    PreventInvalidProcessingWhereRequired;
    PresentUsefulErrorFeedback;
};

# ---------- ERROR MESSAGE ----------
ErrorMessage :=
    FeedbackExplainingProblemAndRecovery;

ErrorMessage SHOULD_IDENTIFY {
    Problem,
    AffectedInputOrAction,
    CorrectiveActionWherePossible
};

# ---------- MENU ----------
Menu :=
    CollectionOfNavigationOrActionOptions;

MenuItem MAY_TRIGGER {
    Navigation,
    Command,
    Submenu
};

# ---------- NAVIGATION ----------
Navigation :=
    MechanismForMovingThroughInterfaceOrInformationStructure;

NavigationElement MAY_INCLUDE {
    Menu,
    Link,
    Breadcrumb,
    Tab,
    Search,
    Pagination
};

User SHOULD_BE_ABLE_TO UnderstandCurrentLocation;

# ---------- BREADCRUMB ----------
Breadcrumb :=
    HierarchicalNavigationTrail;

Breadcrumb MAY_SHOW {
    ParentLocation,
    CurrentLocation
};

# ---------- DIALOG ----------
Dialog :=
    TemporaryFocusedInterfaceRegion;

Dialog MAY_REQUIRE UserDecisionOrInput;

ModalDialog MAY_RESTRICT InteractionWithUnderlyingView;

# ---------- NOTIFICATION ----------
Notification :=
    InterfaceMessageAboutEventOrState;

Notification MAY_BE {
    Informational,
    Success,
    Warning,
    Error
};

Notification SHOULD_NOT UnnecessarilyInterruptUser;

# ---------- FEEDBACK ----------
Feedback :=
    PerceivableResponseToUserActionOrSystemState;

Feedback MAY_BE {
    Visual,
    Auditory,
    Haptic,
    Textual
};

IF ActionProcessingDelayed
THEN LoadingOrProgressFeedback SHOULD_BE Considered;

# ---------- SYSTEM STATUS ----------
SystemStatus MAY_INCLUDE {
    Loading,
    Saving,
    Offline,
    Error,
    Completed
};

Interface SHOULD_COMMUNICATE RelevantSystemStatus;

# ---------- FOCUS ----------
Focus :=
    CurrentTargetForKeyboardOrAssistiveInteraction;

FocusOrder SHOULD_FOLLOW LogicalInteractionSequence;

IF InteractiveElementNotKeyboardReachable
THEN KeyboardAccessibility := insufficient;

# ---------- KEYBOARD INTERACTION ----------
KeyboardInteraction MAY_INCLUDE {
    TabNavigation,
    EnterActivation,
    SpaceActivation,
    ArrowNavigation,
    EscapeAction
};

KeyboardOperability SUPPORTS Accessibility;

# ---------- RESPONSIVE INTERFACE ----------
ResponsiveInterface :=
    InterfaceAdaptsTo AvailableViewportOrDevice;

ResponsiveLayout MAY_CHANGE {
    ComponentSize,
    ComponentPosition,
    NavigationPattern
};

TaskFunctionality SHOULD_REMAIN AvailableAcrossSupportedLayouts;

# ---------- VISUAL HIERARCHY ----------
VisualHierarchy :=
    ArrangementCommunicatingRelativeImportance;

VisualHierarchy MAY_USE {
    Size,
    Position,
    Spacing,
    Typography,
    Contrast
};

# ---------- CONSISTENCY ----------
UIConsistency :=
    SimilarComponentsAndActionsFollowStablePatterns;

Consistency SUPPORTS {
    Predictability,
    Learnability,
    Efficiency
};

# ---------- AFFORDANCE ----------
Affordance :=
    PossibleActionOfferedByComponent;

Signifier :=
    PerceivableCueIndicatingAction;

ClearSignifier SUPPORTS Discoverability;

# ---------- ACCESSIBILITY ----------
UIAccessibility MAY_REQUIRE {
    SemanticStructure,
    KeyboardAccess,
    TextAlternatives,
    SufficientContrast,
    VisibleFocus,
    FormLabels,
    ErrorIdentification,
    AssistiveTechnologyCompatibility
};

AccessibleName IDENTIFIES InteractiveElementToAssistiveTechnology;

# ---------- ARIA / SEMANTICS ----------
SemanticRole :=
    MeaningOfInterfaceElement;

NativeSemanticElement SHOULD_BE PreferredWhereAppropriate;

ARIA MAY_SUPPLEMENT SemanticsWhenNeeded;

ARIA SHOULD_NOT_REPLACE CorrectNativeSemanticsWithoutReason;

# ---------- COLOUR / CONTRAST ----------
Contrast :=
    VisualDifferenceBetweenForegroundAndBackground;

Information SHOULD_NOT_DEPEND_ONLY_ON ColourWhereAlternativeCueNeeded;

# ---------- TEXT ALTERNATIVE ----------
NonTextContent MAY_REQUIRE TextAlternative;

TextAlternative COMMUNICATES PurposeOrMeaningOfRelevantNonTextContent;

# ---------- TOUCH ----------
TouchTarget :=
    InteractiveAreaActivatedByTouch;

TouchTarget SHOULD_BE SufficientlyUsableForIntendedUsers;

Spacing MAY_REDUCE AccidentalActivation;

# ---------- USER CONTROL ----------
UserControl MAY_INCLUDE {
    Undo,
    Cancel,
    Back,
    Edit,
    Confirm
};

UserControl SUPPORTS ErrorRecovery;

# ---------- CONFIRMATION ----------
DestructiveAction MAY_REQUIRE ConfirmationOrRecoverability;

IF ActionHighImpactAndHardToReverse
THEN ConfirmationRequirement := increase;

# ---------- LOADING ----------
LoadingState :=
    SystemProcessingBeforeResultAvailable;

LoadingIndicator COMMUNICATES ProgressOrActivity;

IF WaitLong
THEN ProgressInformation MAY_IMPROVE UserUnderstanding;

# ---------- EMPTY STATE ----------
EmptyState :=
    InterfaceStateWithNoCurrentContentOrResults;

EmptyState SHOULD_EXPLAIN ContextAndPossibleNextActionWhereRelevant;

# ---------- DESIGN SYSTEM ----------
DesignSystem :=
    SharedSetOf {
        Components,
        Patterns,
        Tokens,
        Guidelines
    };

DesignSystem SUPPORTS InterfaceConsistencyAndReuse;

# ---------- PROTOTYPE ----------
UIPrototype :=
    RepresentationOfProposedInterface;

Prototype MAY_BE {
    Wireframe,
    Mockup,
    InteractivePrototype
};

Prototype SUPPORTS EvaluationBeforeImplementation;

# ---------- USABILITY TEST ----------
UIUsabilityTest :=
    User
    -> PerformTask
    -> ObserveInteraction
    -> RecordMetrics
    -> IdentifyIssue;

Metric MAY_INCLUDE {
    TaskSuccess,
    CompletionTime,
    ErrorCount,
    Satisfaction
};

# ---------- SEMANTIC REASONING ----------
IF ElementReceivesUserAction
THEN Element IS InteractiveComponent;

IF InteractiveComponentHasNoPerceivablePurpose
THEN DiscoverabilityIssue := likely;

IF FormInputInvalid
AND ErrorNotIdentified
THEN ErrorRecoverySupport := insufficient;

IF KeyboardUserCannotReachInteractiveElement
THEN AccessibilityIssue := true;

IF UserActionProducesNoFeedback
THEN InteractionClarity := decrease;

IF SameComponentTypeBehavesInconsistently
THEN Learnability MAY_DECREASE;

IF DestructiveActionIrreversible
THEN RecoveryOrConfirmation SHOULD_BE Evaluated;

# ---------- SEMANTIC EQUIVALENCE ----------
SEMANTIC_EQUIVALENCE {
    "user interface" ~= "UI";
    "interface component" ~= "UI component";
    "user control" ~= "interface control" WHEN context == UI;
    "input field" ~= "form field";
    "navigation menu" ~= "menu" WHEN context == interface_navigation;
    "focus indicator" ~= "visible keyboard focus";
    "responsive interface" ~= "responsive UI";
    "design system" ~= "UI design system";
}

# ---------- QUERY FLOW ----------
QUERY(q) ->
    NORMALISE(q) ->
    IDENTIFY_UI_ENTITY(q) ->
    IDENTIFY_COMPONENT(q) ->
    IDENTIFY_INTERACTION_EVENT(q) ->
    IDENTIFY_UI_STATE(q) ->
    IDENTIFY_NAVIGATION(q) ->
    IDENTIFY_FEEDBACK(q) ->
    IDENTIFY_ACCESSIBILITY_REQUIREMENT(q) ->
    MAP_TO_ONTOLOGY(q) ->
    APPLY_REASONING(q) ->
    SCORE_CONFIDENCE(q) ->
    RETURN_RELEVANT_KNOWLEDGE;

# ---------- CONFIDENCE ----------
CONFIDENCE(assertion) :=
    weighted_mean(
        source_reliability,
        interface_consistency,
        user_evidence,
        accessibility_evidence,
        semantic_consistency,
        contextual_relevance
    );

CONFIDENCE >= 0.90 => HIGH;
CONFIDENCE >= 0.70 AND < 0.90 => MODERATE;
CONFIDENCE < 0.70 => REVIEW;

# ---------- AI CONSUMPTION ----------
AI_CONSUMPTION {
    primary_entity: UserInterface;
    ontology: UserInterfaceOntology;
    parse_entities: true;
    parse_relationships: true;
    preserve_relationship_direction: true;
    resolve_semantic_equivalence: true;
    execute_reasoning_rules: true;
    apply_confidence_weighting: true;
    preserve_provenance: true;
}

# ---------- UPDATE MODEL ----------
UPDATE_MODEL {
    new_component:
        validate
        -> classify
        -> identify_role
        -> identify_events
        -> identify_states
        -> identify_accessibility
        -> integrate;

    new_interaction:
        identify_user_action
        -> identify_target_component
        -> identify_system_response
        -> identify_feedback
        -> integrate;

    new_usability_evidence:
        identify_task
        -> record_user_behaviour
        -> identify_issue
        -> update_component_evidence
        -> integrate;

    interface_revision:
        update_components
        -> update_navigation
        -> update_states
        -> recompute_accessibility
        -> recompute_confidence
        -> regenerate_flow_hash;

    conflict:
        preserve_provenance
        -> compare_user_evidence
        -> adjust_confidence
        -> flag_review;
}

# ---------- FLOW HASH ----------
FLOW_HASH_INPUT :=
    DOMAIN
    + SUBDOMAIN
    + ONTOLOGY
    + UIEntity
    + UIComponent
    + UIState
    + InteractionEvent
    + UIAccessibility
    + DesignSystem
    + RELATIONSHIPS
    + SEMANTIC_REASONING
    + SEMANTIC_EQUIVALENCE
    + UPDATE_MODEL;

FLOW_HASH :=
    HASH(FLOW_HASH_INPUT);

# ---------- TERMINAL ----------
UserInterfaceOntology
    -> IdentifyUserTask
    -> DefineViews
    -> SelectInterfaceComponents
    -> DefineInputAndInteractionEvents
    -> EstablishNavigation
    -> ProcessUserActions
    -> PresentSystemFeedback
    -> HandleValidationAndErrors
    -> MaintainVisibleSystemState
    -> EnsureKeyboardAndAssistiveAccess
    -> TestInterfaceUsability
    -> RefineComponentsAndPatterns
    -> MaintainUsableAccessibleInterface;

END FLOW