Embedding Spatial Software Visualization in the IDE: an Exploratory Study

Kuhn, Adrian; Erni, David; Nierstrasz, Oscar (2010). Embedding Spatial Software Visualization in the IDE: an Exploratory Study. In: SOFTVIS 2010 (pp. 113-122). ACM 10.1145/1879211.1879229

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Software visualization can be of great use for understanding and exploring a software system in an intuitive manner. Spatial representation of software is a promising approach of increasing interest. However, little is known about how developers interact with spatial visualizations that are embedded in the IDE. In this paper, we present a pilot study that explores the use of Software Cartography for program comprehension of an unknown system. We investigated whether developers establish a spatial memory of the system, whether clustering by topic offers a sound base layout, and how developers interact with maps. We report our results in the form of observations, hypotheses, and implications. Key findings are a) that developers made good use of the map to inspect search results and call graphs, and b) that developers found the base layout surprising and often confusing. We conclude with concrete advice for the design of embedded software maps

Item Type:

Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)

Division/Institute:

08 Faculty of Science > Institute of Computer Science (INF)
08 Faculty of Science > Institute of Computer Science (INF) > Software Composition Group (SCG) [discontinued]

UniBE Contributor:

Kuhn, Adrian, Nierstrasz, Oscar

ISBN:

978-1-4503-0028-5

Publisher:

ACM

Language:

English

Submitter:

Factscience Import

Date Deposited:

04 Oct 2013 14:17

Last Modified:

02 Mar 2023 23:20

Publisher DOI:

10.1145/1879211.1879229

Web of Science ID:

000286919500014

Additional Information:

Publikation veröffentlicht in "Proceedings of the 5th international symposium on Software visualization"

BORIS DOI:

10.7892/boris.4953

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/4953 (FactScience: 209611)

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