Standard Interfaces

Figure: Standard Interfaces

Figure Standard Interfaces gives an overview of the standard interface provided by layout algorithm modules. Methods defined in base classes are inherited by derived classes, e.g., the complete standard interface of AGDModule for retrieving general information about a module is inherited by LayoutModule.

The base classes AGD and AGDModule implement the handling of preconditions and postconditions. Furthermore, AGDModule defines the standard interface to retrieve general information, e.g, the name or the author of the algorithm.

LayoutModule is the base class for layout algorithms and defines the interface to check the precondition of a layout algorithm given a specific graph, and to call the layout algorithm. There are special calls for passing a plane graph (represented by a planar map). Each call() function does not change the input graph, i.e., the input is a const parameter.

GridLayoutModule provides further support for layout algorithms that place the vertices and edge bends on an integer grid, i.e, the function call_grid() computes the grid layout. There is also an extended interface for passing a plane graph.

Figure Module Overview gives an overview of all modules contained in AGD. Some modules allow to use other modules for particular subtasks. The particular implementation used for this subtask can be exchanged at run time. We call these optional parameters of a module module options. The figure lists the module options for each module and shows which type of module has to be used.

Figure: Module Overview