User interface for environment to support program understanding

Abstract

A static analysis of the program to be understood can yield much valuable information. However, to be of value to the programmer involved in an understanding task, the presentation of the static analysis data must not complicate, nor distract from, the task of understanding the program. An appropriate technique for presenting such static analysis data to the programmer engaged in the understanding task is described. This user interface assumes a multiple-window environment and supports an intelligent cursor. The techniques described integrate the presentation of the various types of static analysis data yielding an interface that does not distract the programmer as he or she attempts to understand the program.