Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

Computers speak a language of their own. They can only be programmed by those, who know the code. Computer scientists of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) are presently working on a software that directly translates natural language into machine-readable source texts. In this way, users may generate own computer applications in a few sentences. The challenge to be managed is that people do not always describe processes in a strictly chronological order. A new analysis tool developed by KIT researchers serves to automatically order the commands in the way they are to be executed by the computer. "We want to get away from complicated rules for users -- this is what programming languages are -- towards smart computers that enter into a dialog with us," says Mathias Landhäußer, scientist of KIT's Institute for Program Structures and Data Organization (ITP). So far, programs can only be controlled by language, if they are designed accordingly by the manufacturer. An example is the sending of short messages via a smartphone. The KIT computer scientists are presently working on a software that installs a language interface for any type of programs. Users are enabled not only to open, but also to operate their apps by spoken commands. The scientists have already successfully incorporated such an interface in an application controlling the heating system, illumination, and windows of smart houses. To read further, please visit http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141013090227.htm.