Evaluating Cognitive Dimensions when applied to the user interface framework SwiftUI

Sammanfattning: The Cognitive Dimensions of Notations (CDs) is an evaluation framework consisting of a set of heuristics meant to be used as discussion tools for usability evaluation of notational systems. Programming languages and frameworks are examples of notational systems, and the development of new such languages and frameworks could improve by analysing the properties with CDs. However, the CDs framework has been criticized for not truly being a scientific method as well as being unfit to be used in certain specific research fields, even though the general nature of the framework allows for it. In this paper, the CDs are applied to evaluate SwiftUI, a declarative user interface framework for iOS. The possibilities and limitations of CD is discussed in relation to this CD example, as well as previous criticism and other evaluation frameworks. The paper concludes with visions for the future of the CDs framework.