ZigZag (software)

ZigZag was a hypertext system developed by Ted Nelson, building upon his earlier work on Xanadu. It represents a radical departure from traditional file and folder-based operating systems, and even conventional hypertext structures like the World Wide Web. Instead of a hierarchy or graph of documents, ZigZag uses a structure of cells connected along multiple dimensions, allowing for a much more flexible and potentially complex organization of information.

The core concept behind ZigZag is the "zigzagging" of information through a multi-dimensional space. Data is stored in cells, and these cells are linked to other cells along different named dimensions. A user can then "zigzag" through the information space by navigating along these dimensions, effectively creating different views and relationships between the same data.

One key feature of ZigZag is its potential for managing complexity. By allowing cells to be connected along multiple dimensions, it becomes possible to represent complex relationships between pieces of information that would be difficult or impossible to represent in a traditional hierarchical or graph-based system. This makes it potentially suitable for managing large and complex datasets, knowledge bases, or even software projects.

Ted Nelson envisioned ZigZag as a foundation for a new kind of computing environment, one that would be more flexible, intuitive, and powerful than existing systems. While ZigZag has not achieved widespread adoption, it remains an influential concept in the fields of hypertext, information architecture, and knowledge management. Its ideas continue to inspire researchers and developers seeking new ways to organize and interact with information.

One criticism of ZigZag lies in its steep learning curve and abstract conceptual model, making it difficult for new users to grasp and apply effectively. The lack of a widely adopted and user-friendly implementation has also hindered its broader acceptance.