HyperDocument Model for Design Standards Documentation

Abstract

The present paper describes a HyperDocument model for the documentation of design standards. The HyperDocument model consists of a document base and a navigation system. The document base contains the electronic documents stored in the computer. A document can have pointers to reference other documents. The navigation system provides a set of generic facilities, including pointers, queries, and browsers for document retrieval. In the present paper, the issue of storing background information (such as commentaries and research reports) related to the design provisions is addressed. The HyperDocument model provides an organizational model to store and access heterogeneous documents, including design provisions, their background information and data, and external programs. This model can be used as a large heterogeneous document‐storage and manipulation system, useful for developing and revising design standards. The documentation system can also serve as a means to provide explanations and background information that are needed to support design applications.