From boxes to worlds

In this paper we show an innovative way to represent graphic designs 01 systems and to verify design properties. The graphic designs are thought as models of an extended modal logic; and the methods used to verify properties are developed from techniques typical of classic modal logic, extended to cover the differences in the underlying formalism. We present the procedures orlogical tools to derive the modal model associated to a given design, the filtration of models and the construction 01 modal descriptions. A higher level of abstraction is obtained in this way, and it lets us reason over designs in a strictly formal manner. The power of formal provability is also achieved. We use a working example to show how our tools help to veri1y properties 01 design like the detection of cycles (self loops).Eje: Diseño de softwareRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

From boxes to worlds

In this paper we show an innovative way to represent graphic designs 01 systems and to verify design properties. The graphic designs are thought as models of an extended modal logic; and the methods used to verify properties are developed from techniques typical of classic modal logic, extended to cover the differences in the underlying formalism. We present the procedures orlogical tools to derive the modal model associated to a given design, the filtration of models and the construction 01 modal descriptions. A higher level of abstraction is obtained in this way, and it lets us reason over designs in a strictly formal manner. The power of formal provability is also achieved. We use a working example to show how our tools help to veri1y properties 01 design like the detection of cycles (self loops).Eje: Diseño de softwareRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Formulation interactive des requêtes pour l’analyse et la compréhension du code source

Nous proposons une approche basée sur la formulation interactive des requêtes. Notre approche sert à faciliter des tâches d’analyse et de compréhension du code source. Dans cette approche, l’analyste utilise un ensemble de filtres de base (linguistique, structurel, quantitatif, et filtre d’interactivité) pour définir des requêtes complexes. Ces requêtes sont construites à l’aide d’un processus interactif et itératif, où des filtres de base sont choisis et exécutés, et leurs résultats sont visualisés, changés et combinés en utilisant des opérateurs prédéfinis. Nous avons évalués notre approche par l’implantation des récentes contributions en détection de défauts de conception ainsi que la localisation de fonctionnalités dans le code. Nos résultats montrent que, en plus d’être générique, notre approche aide à la mise en œuvre des solutions existantes implémentées par des outils automatiques.We propose an interactive querying approach for program analysis and comprehension tasks. In our approach, an analyst uses a set of basic filters (linguistic, structural, quantitative, and user selection) to define complex queries. These queries are built following an interactive and iterative process where basic filters are selected and executed, and their results displayed, changed, and combined using predefined operators. We evaluated our querying approach by implementing recent state-of-the-art contributions on feature location and design defect detection. Our results show that, in addition to be generic; our approach helps improving existing solutions implemented by fully-automated tools

Navigating and querying code without getting lost

A development task related to a crosscutting concern is chal-lenging because a developer can easily get lost when explor-ing scattered elements of code and the complex tangle of re-lationships between them. In this paper we present a source browsing tool that improves the developer’s ability to work with crosscutting concerns by providing better support for exploring code. Our tool helps the developer to remain ori-ented while exploring and navigating across a code base. The cognitive burden placed on a developer is reduced by avoiding disorienting view switches and by providing an ex-plicit representation of the exploration process in terms of exploration paths. 1

Visualising software in cyberspace

The problems of maintaining software systems are well documented. The increasing size and complexity of modern software serves only to worsen matters. Software maintainers are typically confronted with very large and very complex software systems, of which they may have little or no prior knowledge. At this stage they will normally have some maintenance task to perform, though possibly little indication of where or how to start. They need to investigate and understand the software to some extent in order to begin maintenance. This understanding process is termed program comprehension. There are various theories on program comprehension, many of which put emphasis on the construction of a mental model of the software within the mind of the maintainor. These same theories hypothesise a number of techniques employed by the maintainer for the creation and revision of this mental model. Software visualisation attempts to provide tool support for generating, supplementing and verifying the maintainer’s mental model. The majority of software visualisations to date have concentrated on producing two dimensional representations and animations of various aspects of a software system. Very little work has been performed previously regarding the issues involved in visualising software within a virtual reality environment. This research represents a significant first step into this exciting field and offers insight into the problems posed by this new media. This thesis provides an identification of the possibilities afforded byU3D graphics for software visualisation and program comprehension. It begins by defining seven key areas of 3D software visualisation, followed by the definition of two terms, visualisation and representation. These two terms provide a conceptual division between a visualisation and the elements of which it is comprised. This division enables improved discussion of the properties of a 3D visualisation and particularly the idenfification of properties that are desirable for a successful visualisation. A number of such desirable properties are suggested for both visualisations and representations, providing support for the design and evaluation of a 3D software visualisation system. Also presented are a number of prototype visualisations, each providing a different approach to the visualisation of a software system. The prototypes help demonstrate the practicalities and feasibility of 3D software visualisation. Evaluation of these prototypes is performed using a variety of techniques, the results of which emphasise the fact that there is substantial potential for the application of 3D graphics and virtual reality to software visualisation