Implementing Complex Calendar Systems in Java
Problem
In conventional systems, time-oriented data is modelled using a time stamp in each data element. However, time has an inherent structure that influences the data as well as its correct interpretation. One of the most important aspects of the structure of time involves calendric systems. To model this aspect, the concept of granularities has been introduced [Bettini et al., 2000].
Figure 1: The Calendar Aspect in a Visualization from [Aigner, 2012]
Other aspects of the structure of time, like scope and determinacy, can be modelled using time primitives [Allen, 1983]. To include granularities in Java applications, the τZaman sytem has been developed [Urgun et al., 2007]. Our framework based on Java and prefuse [Heer, 2005] includes time primitives using the further advanced temporal objects [Aigner, 2011]. However, our current support for granularities is only based on the default calendric functions by Java.
Aim
We are looking for an eager advanced student who is interested in connecting the τZaman system to our CalendarManager interface as part of his or her master thesis. The thesis itself should be a treatise of how the concept of granularities can be implented in software development, with a comparison of conventional calendar implementations and τZaman.
Other information
References
Aigner, W., S. Miksch, H. Schumann, and C. Tominski, "Visualization of Time-Oriented Data", Springer Verlag London, 2011.