Architecture-oriented visualization

Abstract

Tracking the changing dynamics of object-oriented frameworks [5], design patterns[7], architectural styles [8], and subsystems during the development and reuse cycle can aid producing complex systems. Unfortunately, current object-oriented programming tools are relatively oblivious to the rich architectural abstractions in a system. This paper shows that architecture-oriented visualization, the graphical presentation of system statics and dynamics in terms of its architectural abstractions, is highly beneficial in designing complex systems. In addition, the paper presents architecture-aware instrumentation, a new technique for building efficient on-line instrumentation to support architectural queries. We demonstrate the effectiveness and performance of the scheme with case studies in the design of the Choices object-oriented operating system.

A Systematic Survey of Program Comprehension through Dynamic Analysis

“…The associated tool, called Scene, offers several abstraction techniques to handle the information overload. Sefika et al [65] reasoned from a higher level of abstraction in their efforts to generate architecture-oriented visualizations.…”

“…Another line of research makes use of architecture-aware probing, and aims at visualizing system dynamics in terms of architectural abstractions, such as connectors, locks, dynamically loaded components, client-server configurations, and so on [65], [64], [29]. While there are not many papers addressing these topics, the initial results do suggest that successful application is possible.…”

Visualizing the Execution of Java Programs

“…Various organizing abstractions have been used to filter execution information or group it into larger units. Sefika, et al [13], use large architectural units, and Walker, et al [14], introduce additional structural units as organizing principles. Dynamic relationships too are frequently used to organize information, for example, into call trees as in OptimizeIt [15].…”

Dynamic Query-Based Debugging

“…Sefika et al [SSC96] implemented a system allowing limited, unoptimized selection queries about high-level objects in the Choices operating system. The system dynamically shows program state and run-time statistics at various levels of abstraction.…”