The Code Mini-Map Visualisation: Encoding Conceptual Structures Within Source Code

Ivan Bacher; Brian Mac Namee; John D. Kelleher

doi:10.1109/VISSOFT.2018.00023

The Code Mini-Map Visualisation: Encoding Conceptual Structures Within Source Code

Ivan Bacher, Brian Mac Namee, John D. Kelleher

School of Computer Science

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Modern source code editors typically include a code mini-map visualisation, which provides programmers with an overview of the currently open source code document. This paper proposes to add a layering mechanism to the code mini-map visualisation in order to provide programmers with visual answers to questions related to conceptual structures that are not manifested directly in the code. Details regarding the design and implementation of this scope information layer, which displays additional encodings that correspond to the scope chain and information related to the scope chain within a source code document, is presented. The scope information layer can be used by programmers to answer questions such as: to which scope does a specific variable belong, and in which scope is the cursor of the source code editor currently located in. Additionally, this paper presents a study that evaluates the effectiveness of adding the scope information layer to a code mini-map visualisation in order to help programmers understand scope relationships within source code. The results of the study show that the incorporating additional layers of information onto the code mini-map visualisation can have a positive effect on code understanding.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Proceedings - 6th IEEE Working Conference on Software Visualization, VISSOFT 2018
Publisher	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages	127-131
Number of pages	5
ISBN (Electronic)	9781538682920
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/VISSOFT.2018.00023
Publication status	Published - 9 Nov 2018
Event	6th IEEE Working Conference on Software Visualization, VISSOFT 2018 - Madrid, Spain Duration: 24 Sep 2018 → 25 Sep 2018

Publication series

Name	Proceedings - 6th IEEE Working Conference on Software Visualization, VISSOFT 2018

Conference

Conference	6th IEEE Working Conference on Software Visualization, VISSOFT 2018
Country/Territory	Spain
City	Madrid
Period	24/09/18 → 25/09/18

Keywords

code mini-map
evaluation
software visualisation

Access to Document

10.1109/VISSOFT.2018.00023

https://arrow.tudublin.ie/scschcomcon/257Licence: CC BY-NC-SA

Cite this

Bacher, I., Mac Namee, B., & Kelleher, J. D. (2018). The Code Mini-Map Visualisation: Encoding Conceptual Structures Within Source Code. In Proceedings - 6th IEEE Working Conference on Software Visualization, VISSOFT 2018 (pp. 127-131). Article 8530140 (Proceedings - 6th IEEE Working Conference on Software Visualization, VISSOFT 2018). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/VISSOFT.2018.00023

Bacher, Ivan ; Mac Namee, Brian ; Kelleher, John D. / The Code Mini-Map Visualisation : Encoding Conceptual Structures Within Source Code. Proceedings - 6th IEEE Working Conference on Software Visualization, VISSOFT 2018. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2018. pp. 127-131 (Proceedings - 6th IEEE Working Conference on Software Visualization, VISSOFT 2018).

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title = "The Code Mini-Map Visualisation: Encoding Conceptual Structures Within Source Code",

abstract = "Modern source code editors typically include a code mini-map visualisation, which provides programmers with an overview of the currently open source code document. This paper proposes to add a layering mechanism to the code mini-map visualisation in order to provide programmers with visual answers to questions related to conceptual structures that are not manifested directly in the code. Details regarding the design and implementation of this scope information layer, which displays additional encodings that correspond to the scope chain and information related to the scope chain within a source code document, is presented. The scope information layer can be used by programmers to answer questions such as: to which scope does a specific variable belong, and in which scope is the cursor of the source code editor currently located in. Additionally, this paper presents a study that evaluates the effectiveness of adding the scope information layer to a code mini-map visualisation in order to help programmers understand scope relationships within source code. The results of the study show that the incorporating additional layers of information onto the code mini-map visualisation can have a positive effect on code understanding.",

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doi = "10.1109/VISSOFT.2018.00023",

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Bacher, I, Mac Namee, B & Kelleher, JD 2018, The Code Mini-Map Visualisation: Encoding Conceptual Structures Within Source Code. in Proceedings - 6th IEEE Working Conference on Software Visualization, VISSOFT 2018., 8530140, Proceedings - 6th IEEE Working Conference on Software Visualization, VISSOFT 2018, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., pp. 127-131, 6th IEEE Working Conference on Software Visualization, VISSOFT 2018, Madrid, Spain, 24/09/18. https://doi.org/10.1109/VISSOFT.2018.00023

The Code Mini-Map Visualisation: Encoding Conceptual Structures Within Source Code. / Bacher, Ivan; Mac Namee, Brian; Kelleher, John D.
Proceedings - 6th IEEE Working Conference on Software Visualization, VISSOFT 2018. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2018. p. 127-131 8530140 (Proceedings - 6th IEEE Working Conference on Software Visualization, VISSOFT 2018).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

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Bacher I, Mac Namee B, Kelleher JD. The Code Mini-Map Visualisation: Encoding Conceptual Structures Within Source Code. In Proceedings - 6th IEEE Working Conference on Software Visualization, VISSOFT 2018. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. 2018. p. 127-131. 8530140. (Proceedings - 6th IEEE Working Conference on Software Visualization, VISSOFT 2018). doi: 10.1109/VISSOFT.2018.00023

The Code Mini-Map Visualisation: Encoding Conceptual Structures Within Source Code

Abstract

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Keywords

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