Using diagrammatic explorations to understand code
Name
243866068-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
51.06 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
6f0960d2d72b206f4e9ffe6113eac0c1
Author(s)
Sinha, Vineet, 1978-
Advisor(s)
David R. Karger and Robert C. Miller.
Date Issued
2008
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
Understanding code is a significant challenge for developers. This thesis examines the limitations of current tools that use diagrams to assist code comprehension and demonstrates the value of four design principles: * That diagrams should be based on familiar models such as UML class diagrams and layered architectural diagrams, so that developers can understand them without additional training. * That the familiar diagrams must be able to focus on specific parts of a codebase relevant to the developer's task, to prevent users from getting overwhelmed with irrelevant information. * That the focused diagrams need to support exploration of the codebase by directly interacting with the existing diagram. * That the focused diagrams can be created by users' exploration as needed for their tasks in traditional code editors. This thesis shows that understanding for software developers can be effectively supported by interactive exploration using focused diagrams of familiar representations of code. These ideas have been combined to build two tools: Strata, which displays using the popular layered architectural diagrams, and Relo, which is based on UML class diagrams. The tools have been evaluated using both controlled lab studies and field deployments. Study results have been positive, indicating merit in these ideas.
Description
Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2008.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 139-145).
Subjects
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
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reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written
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