Abstract: A method of operating a computer causes information to be presented through visual displays using alternate mode of expression. The method is practiced by application software which operates on a general purpose computer. The application software separates concept data from expression data. Concept data identify information which the software intends to present in a visual display, without specifying any particular one of a plurality of forms of expression that might be used to express the concept data. Expression data cause the visual display to form images in accordance with a specific mode of expression. A user specifies the expression modes to utilize while operating the application program. For example, linguistic information may be presented in English, Spanish, German, French, or other languages, and graphic information may be presented in color or in black and white. Expression tables which translate concept data into expression data are loaded into primary storage.

Abstract: A method quickly identifies an irregular graphic shape displayed on a video terminal. In an "off-line" operation, the method associates transparent regular graphic shapes, such as boxes, with the irregular graphic shapes. The regular graphic shapes do not overlap one another and are shaped, sized, and located so that one or more of the regular graphic shapes together approximate each irregular graphic shape. The regular graphic shapes are defined in a data table which includes a single data node for each of the regular graphic shapes. During the execution of an application computer program, the irregular graphic shapes are displayed at the video terminal, but the regular graphic shapes are not displayed. In addition, the application computer program manages a video pointer in real time so that a user may move the video pointer to any location on the display of the video terminal. The program investigates the table of regular graphic shapes to select a node corresponding to a regular graphic shape.