Geoinformatics USING THE “PHYSICS” OF NOTATION TO ANALYSE MODELBUILDER DIAGRAMS Ing. Zdena Dobesova, Ph.D. Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic ABSTRACT Visual representations for data processing are used in geographic information systems. ArcGIS has components ModelBuilder for the creation of dataflow diagrams. ModelBuilder belongs to the visual programming languages. D. Moody proposed a set of principles for visual representation named “Physics” of Notation. Principles are based on wide review of relevant literature in cognitive psychology and software engineering. Moody presents nine principles. The applying of some principles to current notation in ModelBuilder for ArcGIS is presented in this article. Moody`s “Physics“ of Notation framework is a way for discovering improvements in diagram notation for ModelBuilder. Besides them, this framework is an analysis that brings useful recommendations for creators of diagrams to increase the cognitive and perceptual quality of diagrams. Keywords: geoinformatics, notation, visual programming language, diagram, cognition, perception, INTRODUCTION ArcGIS GIS product has the component for visual programming ModelBuilder. This component is aimed mainly for easy programming of the data batch processing by graphical way. Advantage is storing the program of batch processing for the repetitive running on various spatial data sets. The conversion of a visual program to a textual program can be used as introducing to the textual programing in Python for a novice programmer, in case of ArcGIS [1]. For all that purposes, it is necessary to use cognitively effective visual notations. Cognitively effective means optimized for processing by the human mind. That optimized notation help to user very quickly understand to the diagram. Different methods for the evaluation of visual languages were published. Blackwell [2], [3] designed The Cognitive Dimensions Questionnaire with open questions. The Daniel Moody theory is newer theory especially for graphical languages and arose from scientific background. The Mood’s theory of Physics of Notation was synthesized from theory and empirical evidence drawn from a wide range of fields, including communication, semiotics, graphic design, visual perception, psychophysics, cognitive psychology, education, HCI, linguistics, information systems, cartography and diagrammatic reasoning [4]. Physics of Notations, as it focuses on the physical (perceptual) properties of notations rather than their logical (semantic) properties. Semantic properties of symbol in ArcGIS ModelBuilder are described in software help and in several articles [5], [6], [7].