[comp.databases] hiearchical structure -> graphical representation

exnirad@brolga.cc.uq.oz.au (Nirad Sharma) (09/24/90)

I wish to translate a c representation of a hierarchical structure
i.e.	struct info {
		...attributes...
		struct info	*children, *sibling
		}

into PIC statements that will generate visually balanced trees
i.e.			o
		       /  \
		       o   o
		    /  |  \
		   o   o   o

It is not as simple as it looks to get *pleasing* output rather than the
rough-and-ready result of just dumping the branches recursively one by one.
(Note that the example sketched above is a very very simple example and that
 problem of appearance occurs as the trees get more complex. Draw some by hand
 to verify this.)

I am sure that this must have been done by someone already, maybe for computer
science departments printing notes to teach undergrads about hierarchies. If
not, I will have to bash something out (though deadlines are KILLING me!).

Thanks for any help.

Nirad Sharma  (exnirad@brolga.cc.uq.oz.au)
Continuing Education Unit
The University of Queensland
AUSTRALIA