Methods and systems for animating the interaction of objects in an object oriented program

Abstract

Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide an improved software development tool that allows a developer to animate the execution of compiled source code as a diagram. The developer may choose to stepwise animate one line of source code at a time. The developer may alternatively indicate at which line of source code the animation should end. In a further embodiment, the software development tool may end the animation when it detects an error.

Description

[0002] The following identified U.S. patent applications are also relied upon and are incorporated by reference in this application:

[0003] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/680,065, entitled “Method And System For Displaying Changes Of Source Code,” filed on Oct. 4, 2000;

[0004] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/680,030, entitled “Method And System For Generating, Applying, And Defining A Pattern,” filed on Oct. 4, 2000;

[0005] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/680,064, entitled “Method And System For Collapsing A Graphical Representation Of Related Elements,” filed on Oct. 4, 2000;

[0006] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Methods and Systems for Generating Source Code for Object Oriented Elements,” bearing attorney docket no. 30013630-0008, and filed on the same date herewith;

[0007] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Methods and Systems for Relating Data Structures and Object Oriented Elements for Distributed Computing,” bearing attorney docket no. 30013630-0009, and filed on the same date herewith;

[0008] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Methods and Systems for Finding Specific Line Of Source Code,” bearing attorney docket no. 30013630-0011, and filed on the same date herewith;

[0009] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Methods and Systems for Finding and Displaying Linked Objects,” bearing attorney docket no. 30013630-0012, and filed on the same date herewith;

[0010] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Methods and Systems for Supporting and Deploying Distributed Computing Components,” bearing attorney docket no. 30013630-0014, and filed on the same date herewith;

[0011] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Diagrammatic Control of a Software in a Version Control System,” bearing attorney docket no. 30013630-0015, and filed on the same date herewith;

[0012] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Navigation Links in Generated Documentation,” bearing attorney docket no. 30013630-0016, and filed on the same date herewith;

[0013] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Methods and Systems for Identifying Dependencies Between Object-Oriented Elements,” bearing attorney docket no. 30013630-0019, and filed on the same date herewith; and

[0014] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Methods and Systems for Relating a Data Definition File and a Data Model for Distributed Computing,” bearing attorney docket no. 30013630-0020, and filed on the same date herewith.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention relates to a method and system for developing software. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and system for animating the execution of compiled code as a diagram.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Computer instructions are written in source code. Although a skilled programmer can understand source code to determine what the code is designed to accomplish, with highly complex software systems, a graphical representation or model of the source code is helpful to organize and visualize the structure and components of the system. Using models, the complex systems are easily identified, and the structural and behavioral patterns can be visualized and documented.

[0017] The well-known Unified Modeling Language (UML) is a general-purpose notational language for visualizing, specifying, constructing, and documenting complex software systems. UML is used to model systems ranging from business information systems to Web-based distributed systems, to real-time embedded systems. UML formalizes the notion that real-world objects are best modeled as self-contained entities that contain both data and functionality. UML is more clearly described in the following references, which are incorporated herein by reference: (1) Martin Fowler, UML Distilled Second Edition: Applying the Standard Object Modeling Language, Addison-Wesley (1999); (2) Booch, Rumbaugh, and Jacobson, The Unified Modeling Language User Guide, Addison-Wesley (1998); (3) Peter Coad, Jeff DeLuca, and Eric Lefebvre, Java Modeling in Color with UML: Enterprise Components and Process, Prentice Hall (1999); and (4) Peter Coad, Mark Mayfield, and Jonathan Kern, Java Design: Building Better Apps & Applets (2nd Ed.), Prentice Hall (1998).

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, conventional software development tools 100 allow a programmer to view UML 102 while viewing source code 104. The source code 104 is stored in a file, and a reverse engineering module 106 converts the source code 104 into a representation of the software project in a database or repository 108. The software project comprises source code 104 in at least one file which, when compiled, forms a sequence of instructions to be run by the data processing system. The repository 108 generates the UML 102. If any changes are made to the UML 102, they are automatically reflected in the repository 108, and a code generator 110 converts the representation in the repository 108 into source code 104. Such software development tools 100, however, do not synchronize the displays of the UML 102 and the source code 104. Rather, the repository 108 stores the representation of the software project while the file stores the source code 104. A modification in the UML 102 does not appear in the source code 104 unless the code generator 110 re-generates the source code 104 from the data in the repository 108. When this occurs, the entire source code 104 is rewritten. Similarly, any modifications made to the source code 104 do not appear in the UML 102 unless the reverse engineering module 106 updates the repository 108. As a result, redundant information is stored in the repository 108 and the source code 104. In addition, rather than making incremental changes to the source code 104, conventional software development tools 100 rewrite the overall source code 104 when modifications are made to the UML 102, resulting in wasted processing time. This type of manual, large-grained synchronization requires either human intervention, or a “batch” style process to try to keep the two views (the UML 102 and the source code 104) in sync. Unfortunately, this approach, adopted by many tools, leads to many undesirable side-effects; such as desired changes to the source code being overwritten by the tool. A further disadvantage with conventional software development tools 100 is that they are designed to only work in a single programming language. Thus, a tool 100 that is designed for Java™ programs cannot be utilized to develop a program in C++. There is a need in the art for a tool that avoids the limitations of these conventional software development tools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide an improved software development tool that overcomes the limitations of conventional software development tools. The improved software development tool of the present invention allows a developer to simultaneously view a graphical and a textual display of source code. The graphical and textual views are synchronized so that a modification in one view is automatically reflected in the other view. In addition, the software development tool is designed for use with more than one programming language.

[0020] Contrary to a conventional debugger, that provides a textual display of the executed lines of code, methods and systems consistent with the present invention animate the graphical representation of the source code as the software development tool steps through the code. The animation may proceed through the entire source code without interruption. Alternatively, the animation may continue until the software development tool prompts the animation to end. For example, the software development tool may proceed through each line of source code until the next line causes an object or a link to be displayed in a visually distinctive manner, e.g., the object or link may be highlighted, the color of the object or link may change, the font of the text within the object may change, or the thickness of the link may change. In another embodiment, the developer may indicate at which line the animation should end. In yet another embodiment, the software development tool compiles and debugs the line of code, and the animation proceeds until the software development tool detects an error in the source code.

[0021] In accordance with methods consistent with the present invention, a method is provided in a data processing system. The data processing system comprises source code, and the source code comprises a plurality of lines. The method comprises the steps of displaying a graphical representation of the source code, wherein the graphical representation has portions that correspond to the lines, initiating an automated process that processes each of the lines, and while the automated process processes each of the lines, displaying the portion of the graphical representation that corresponds to the line in a visually distinctive manner such that it visually appears that progression of the automated process is animated.

[0022] In accordance with methods consistent with the present invention, a method is provided in a data processing system. The data processing system comprises source code, and the source code comprises a plurality of lines. The method comprises the steps of displaying a graphical representation of the source code, wherein the graphical representation has portions that correspond to the lines, and for each of the lines, displaying the portion of the graphical representation that corresponds to the line in a visually distinctive manner such that it appears that progression through the code is animated.

[0023] In accordance with methods consistent with the present invention, a method is provided in a data processing system. The data processing system comprises source code, and the source code comprises a plurality of lines. The method comprises the steps of displaying a graphical representation of the plurality of lines such that at least one of the lines is not represented in the graphical representation, initiating an automated process on each of the lines of the source code, receiving an indication to suspend the automated process when the automated process encounters one of the lines that is represented in the graphical representation, and while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, determining whether the line is represented in the graphical representation, and when it is determined that the line is represented in the graphical representation, suspending the automated process.

[0024] In accordance with methods consistent with the present invention, a method is provided in a data processing system. The data processing system comprises source code, and the source code comprises a plurality of lines. The method comprises the steps of displaying a graphical representation of the source code, initiating an automated process to be performed on each of the lines of the source code, receiving an indication to suspend the automated process when the automated process encounters a selected one of the lines, and while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, determining whether the line is the selected line, and when it is determined that the line is the selected line, suspending the automated process.

[0025] In accordance with methods consistent with the present invention, a method is provided in a data processing system. The data processing system comprises source code, and the source code comprises a plurality of lines. The method comprises the steps of displaying a graphical representation of the source code, receiving an indication of a first of the plurality of lines of the source code, selecting a second of the plurality of lines of the source code, determining whether the second line is the same as the first line, and when it is determined that the second line is not the same as the first line, displaying the graphical representation of the second line in a visually distinctive manner.

[0026] In accordance with methods consistent with the present invention, a method is provided in a data processing system. The data processing system comprises source code, and the source code comprises a plurality of lines. The method comprises the steps of displaying a graphical representation of the plurality of lines such that at least one of the lines is not represented in the graphical representation, initiating an automated process on each of the lines of the source code, while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, compiling the line, determining whether the compiled line produces an error, and when it is determined that the compiled line produces the error, suspending the automated process.

[0027] In accordance with methods consistent with the present invention, a method is provided in a data processing system. The data processing system comprises source code, and the source code comprises a plurality of lines. The method comprises the steps of displaying a graphical representation of the source code, selecting one of the plurality of lines of the source code, compiling the selected line, determining whether the compiled line produces an error, and when it is determined that the compiled line does not produce an error, displaying the graphical representation of the selected line in a visually distinctive manner.

[0028] In accordance with articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention, a computer-readable medium is provided. The computer-readable medium contains instructions for controlling a data processing system to perform a method. The data processing system comprises source code, and the source code comprises a plurality of lines. The method comprises the steps of displaying a graphical representation of the source code, wherein the graphical representation has portions that correspond to the lines, initiating an automated process that processes each of the lines, and while the automated process processes each of the lines, displaying the portion of the graphical representation that corresponds to the line in a visually distinctive manner such that it visually appears that progression of the automated process is animated.

[0029] In accordance with articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention, a computer-readable medium is provided. The computer-readable medium contains instructions for controlling a data processing system to perform a method. The data processing system comprises source code, and the source code comprises a plurality of lines. The method comprises the steps of displaying a graphical representation of the source code, wherein the graphical representation has portions that correspond to the lines, and for each of the lines, displaying the portion of the graphical representation that corresponds to the line in a visually distinctive manner such that it appears that progression through the code is animated.

[0030] In accordance with articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention, a computer-readable medium is provided. The computer-readable medium contains instructions for controlling a data processing system to perform a method. The data processing system comprises source code, and the source code comprises a plurality of lines. The method comprises the steps of displaying a graphical representation of the plurality of lines such that at least one of the lines is not represented in the graphical representation, initiating an automated process on each of the lines of the source code, receiving an indication to suspend the automated process when the automated process encounters one of the lines that is represented in the graphical representation, and while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, determining whether the line is represented in the graphical representation, and when it is determined that the line is represented in the graphical representation, suspending the automated process.

[0031] In accordance with articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention, a computer-readable medium is provided. The computer-readable medium contains instructions for controlling a data processing system to perform a method. The data processing system comprises source code, and the source code comprises a plurality of lines. The method comprises the steps of displaying a graphical representation of the source code, initiating an automated process to be performed on each of the lines of the source code, receiving an indication to suspend the automated process when the automated process encounters a selected one of the lines, and while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, determining whether the line is the selected line, and when it is determined that the line is the selected line, suspending the automated process.

[0032] In accordance with articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention, a computer-readable medium is provided. The computer-readable medium contains instructions for controlling a data processing system to perform a method. The data processing system comprises source code, and the source code comprises a plurality of lines. The method comprises the steps of displaying a graphical representation of the source code, receiving an indication of a first of the plurality of lines of the source code, selecting a second of the plurality of lines of the source code, determining whether the second line is the same as the first line, and when it is determined that the second line is not the same as the first line, displaying the graphical representation of the second line in a visually distinctive manner.

[0033] In accordance with articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention, a computer-readable medium is provided. The computer-readable medium contains instructions for controlling a data processing system to perform a method. The data processing system comprises source code, and the source code comprises a plurality of lines. The method comprises the steps of displaying a graphical representation of the plurality of lines such that at least one of the lines is not represented in the graphical representation, initiating an automated process on each of the lines of the source code, while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, compiling the line, determining whether the compiled line produces an error, and when it is determined that the compiled line produces the error, suspending the automated process.

[0034] In accordance with articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention, a computer-readable medium is provided. The computer-readable medium contains instructions for controlling a data processing system to perform a method. The data processing system comprises source code, and the source code comprises a plurality of lines. The method comprises the steps of displaying a graphical representation of the source code, selecting one of the plurality of lines of the source code, compiling the selected line, determining whether the compiled line produces an error, and when it is determined that the compiled line does not produce an error, displaying the graphical representation of the selected line in a visually distinctive manner.

[0035] Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an implementation of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings,

[0037] FIG. 1 depicts a conventional software development tool;

[0038] FIG. 2 depicts an overview of a software development tool in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the present invention;

[0039] FIG. 3 depicts a data structure of the language-neutral representation created by the software development tool of FIG. 2;

[0040] FIG. 4 depicts representative source code;

[0041] FIG. 5 depicts the data structure of the language-neutral representation of the source code of FIG. 4;

[0042] FIG. 6 depicts a data processing system suitable for practicing the present invention;

[0043] FIG. 7 depicts an architectural overview of the software development tool of FIG. 2;

[0044] FIG. 8A depicts a user interface displayed by the software development tool depicted in FIG. 2, where the user interface displays a list of predefined criteria which the software development tool checks in the source code;

[0045] FIG. 8B depicts a user interface displayed by the software development tool depicted in FIG. 2, where the user interface displays the definition of the criteria which the software development tool checks in the source code, and an example of source code which does not conform to the criteria;

[0046] FIG. 8C depicts a user interface displayed by the software development tool depicted in FIG. 2, where the user interface displays an example of source code which conforms to the criteria which the software development tool checks in the source code;

[0047] FIG. 9 depicts a flow diagram of the steps performed by the software development tool depicted in FIG. 2;

[0048] FIGS. 10A and 10B depict a flow diagram illustrating the update model step of FIG. 9;

[0049] FIG. 11 depicts a flow diagram of the steps performed by the software development tool in FIG. 2 when creating a class;

[0050] FIG. 12 depicts a user interface displayed by the software development tool depicted in FIG. 2, where the user interface displays a use case diagram of source code;

[0051] FIG. 13 depicts a user interface displayed by the software development tool depicted in FIG. 2, where the user interface displays both a class diagram and a textual view of source code;

[0052] FIG. 14 depicts a user interface displayed by the software development tool depicted in FIG. 2, where the user interface displays a sequence diagram of source code;

[0053] FIG. 15 depicts a user interface displayed by the software development tool depicted in FIG. 2, where the user interface displays a collaboration diagram of source code;

[0054] FIG. 16 depicts a user interface displayed by the software development tool depicted in FIG. 2, where the user interface displays a statechart diagram of source code;

[0055] FIG. 17 depicts a user interface displayed by the software development tool depicted in FIG. 2, where the user interface displays an activity diagram of source code;

[0056] FIG. 18 depicts a user interface displayed by the software development tool depicted in FIG. 2, where the user interface displays a component diagram of source code;

[0057] FIG. 19 depicts a user interface displayed by the software development tool depicted in FIG. 2, where the user interface displays a deployment diagram of source code;

[0058] FIG. 20 depicts a flow diagram of the steps performed by the software development tool depicted in FIG. 2 using a first embodiment of the animation feature, in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the present invention;

[0059] FIG. 21 depicts a user interface displayed by the software development tool depicted in FIG. 2, where the user interface displays a sequence diagram of source code;

[0060] FIG. 22 depicts the user interface of FIG. 21 after a first step of the animation;

[0061] FIG. 23 depicts the user interface of FIG. 22 after a second step of the animation;

[0062] FIG. 24 depicts the user interface of FIG. 23 after a third step of the animation;

[0063] FIG. 25 depicts the user interface of FIG. 24 after a fourth step of the animation;

[0064] FIG. 26 depicts the user interface of FIG. 25 after a fifth step of the animation;

[0065] FIG. 27 depicts a flow diagram of the steps performed by the software development tool depicted in FIG. 2 using a second embodiment of the animation feature, in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the present invention;

[0066] FIG. 28 depicts a flow diagram of the steps performed by the software development tool depicted in FIG. 2 using a third embodiment of the animation feature, in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the present invention; and

[0067] FIG. 29 depicts a flow diagram of the steps performed by the software development tool depicted in FIG. 2 using a fourth embodiment of the animation feature, in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0068] Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide an improved software development tool that creates a graphical representation of source code regardless of the programming language in which the code is written. In addition, the software development tool simultaneously reflects any modifications to the source code to both the display of the graphical representation as well as the textual display of the source code.

[0069] As depicted in FIG. 2, source code 202 is being displayed in both a graphical form 204 and a textual form 206. In accordance with methods and systems consistent with the present invention, the improved software development tool generates a transient meta model (TMM) 200 which stores a language-neutral representation of the source code 202. The graphical 204 and textual 206 representations of the source code 202 are generated from the language-neutral representation in the TMM 200. Although modifications made on the displays 204 and 206 may appear to modify the displays 204 and 206, in actuality all modifications are made directly to the source code 202 via an incremental code editor (ICE) 208, and the TMM 200 is used to generate the modifications in both the graphical 204 and the textual 206 views from the modifications to the source code 202.

[0070] The improved software development tool provides simultaneous round-trip engineering, i.e., the graphical representation 204 is synchronized with the textual representation 206. Thus, if a change is made to the source code 202 via the graphical representation 204, the textual representation 206 is updated automatically. Similarly, if a change is made to the source code 202 via the textual representation 206, the graphical representation 204 is updated to remain synchronized. There is no repository, no batch code generation, and no risk of losing code.

[0071] The data structure 300 of the language-neutral representation is depicted in FIG. 3. The data structure 300 comprises a Source Code Interface (SCI) model 302, an SCI package 304, an SCI class 306, and an SCI member 308. The SCI model 302 is the source code organized into packages. The SCI model 302 corresponds to a directory for a software project being developed by the user, and the SCI package 304 corresponds to a subdirectory. The software project comprises the source code in at least one file that is compiled to form a sequence of instructions to be run by a data processing system. The data processing system is discussed in detail below. As is well known in object-oriented programming, the class 306 is a category of objects which describes a group of objects with similar properties (attributes), common behavior (operations or methods), common relationships to other objects, and common semantics. The members 308 comprise attributes and/or operations.

[0072] For example, the data structure 500 for the source code 400 depicted in FIG. 4 is depicted in FIG. 5. UserInterface 402 is defined as a package 404. Accordingly, UserInterface 402 is contained in SCI package 502. Similarly, Bank 406, which is defined as a class 408, is contained in SCI class 504, and Name 410 and Assets 412, which are defined as attributes (strings 414), are contained in SCI members 506. Since these elements are in the same project, all are linked. The data structure 500 also identifies the language in which the source code is written 508, e.g., the Java™ language.

[0073] FIG. 6 depicts a data processing system 600 suitable for practicing methods and systems consistent with the present invention. Data processing system 600 comprises a memory 602, a secondary storage device 604, an I/O device 606, and a processor 608. Memory 602 includes the improved software development tool 610. The software development tool 610 is used to develop a software project 612, and create the TMM 200 in the memory 602. The project 612 is stored in the secondary storage device 604 of the data processing system 600. One skilled in the art will recognize that data processing system 600 may contain additional or different components.

[0074] Although aspects of the present invention are described as being stored in memory, one skilled in the art will appreciate that these aspects can also be stored on or read from other types of computer-readable media, such as secondary storage devices, like hard disks, floppy disks or CD-ROM; a carrier wave from a network, such as Internet; or other forms of RAM or ROM either currently known or later developed.

[0075] FIG. 7 illustrates an architectural overview of the improved software development tool 610. The tool 610 comprises a core 700, an open application program interface (API) 702, and modules 704. The core 700 includes a parser 706 and an ICE 208. The parser 706 converts the source code into the language-neutral representation in the TMM, and the ICE 208 converts the text from the displays into source code. There are three main packages composing the API 702: Integrated Development Environment (IDE) 708; Read-Write Interface (RWI) 710; and Source Code Interface (SCI) 712. Each package includes corresponding subpackages. As is well known in the art, a package is a collection of attributes, notifications, operations, or behaviors that are treated as a single module or program unit.

[0076] IDE 708 is the API 702 needed to generate custom outputs based on information contained in a model. It is a read-only interface, i.e., the user can extract information from the model, but not change the model. IDE 708 provides the functionality related to the model's representation in IDE 708 and interaction with the user. Each package composing the IDE group has a description highlighting the areas of applicability of this concrete package.

[0077] RWI 710 enables the user to go deeper into the architecture. Using RWI 710, information can be extracted from and written to the models. RWI not only represents packages, classes and members, but it may also represent different diagrams (class diagrams, use case diagrams, sequence diagrams and others), links, notes, use cases, actors, states, etc.

[0078] SCI 712 is at the source code level, and allows the user to work with the source code almost independently of the language being used.

[0079] There are a variety of modules 704 in the software development tool 610 of the present invention. Some of the modules 704 access information to generate graphical and code documentation in custom formats, export to different file formats, or develop patterns. The software development tool also includes a quality assurance (QA) module which monitors the modifications to the source code and calculates the complexity metrics, i.e., the measurement of the program's performance or efficiency, to support quality assurance. The types of metrics calculated by the software development tool include basic metrics, cohesion metrics, complexity metrics, coupling metrics, Halstead metrics, inheritance metrics, maximum metrics, polymorphism metrics, and ratio metrics. Examples of these metrics with their respective definitions are identified in Tables 1-9 below.

TABLE 1
Basic Metrics
Basic Metrics        Description
Lines Of Code        Counts the number of code lines.
Number Of Attributes Counts the number of attributes. If a class
                     has a high number of attributes, it may be
                     appropriate to divide it into subclasses.
Number Of Classes    Counts the number of classes.
Number Of Import     Counts the number of imported packages/classes.
Statement            This measure can highlight excessive importing,
                     and also can be used as a measure of coupling.
Number Of Members    Counts the number of members, i.e., attributes
                     and operations. If a class has a high number of
                     members, it may be appropriate to divide it into
                     subclasses.
Number Of Operations Counts the number of operations. If a class has a
                     high number of operations, it may be appropriate
                     to divide it into subclasses.

[0080]

TABLE 2
Cohesion Metrics
Cohesion Metrics    Description
Lack Of Cohesion Of Takes each pair of methods in the class
Methods 1           and determines the set of fields they each access.
                    A low value indicates high coupling between
                    methods, which indicates potentially low
                    reusability and increased testing because
                    many methods can affect the same attributes.
Lack Of Cohesion Of Counts the percentage of methods that
Methods 2           do not access a specific attribute averaged over
                    all attributes in the class. A high value of
                    cohesion (a low lack of cohesion) implies that
                    the class is well designed.
Lack Of Cohesion Of Measures the dissimilarity of methods
Methods 3           in a class by attributes. A low value indicates
                    good class subdivision, implying simplicity and
                    high reusability. A high lack of cohesion
                    increases complexity, thereby increasing the
                    likelihood of errors during the development
                    process.

[0081]

TABLE 3
Complexity Metrics
Complexity Metrics   Description
Attribute Complexity Defined as the sum of each attribute’s value in
                     the class.
Cyclomatic           Represents the cognitive complexity of the class.
Complexity           It counts the number of possible paths through an
                     algorithm by counting the number of distinct
                     regions on a flowgraph, i.e., the number of ‘if,’
                     ‘for’ and ‘while’ statements in the
                     operation’s body.
Number Of Remote     Processes all of the methods and constructors, and
Methods              counts the number of different remote methods
                     called. A remote method is defined as a method
                     which is not declared in either the class itself
                     or its ancestors.
Response For Class   Calculated as ‘Number of Local Methods’ +
                     ‘Number of Remote Methods.’ A class which
                     provides a larger response set is considered
                     to be more complex and requires more testing
                     than one with a smaller overall design
                     complexity.
Weighted Methods Per The sum of the complexity of all methods for
Class 1              a class, where each method is weighted by
                     its cyclomatic complexity. The number of
                     methods and the complexity of the methods
                     involved is a predictor of how much time
                     and effort is required to develop and
                     maintain the class.
Weighted Methods Per Measures the complexity of a class, assuming
Class 2              that a class with more methods than another is
                     more complex, and that a method with more
                     parameters than another is also likely to be
                     more complex.

[0082]

TABLE 4
Coupling Metrics
Coupling Metrics Description
Coupling Between Represents the number of other classes to which a
Objects          class is coupled. Counts the number of reference
                 types that are used in attribute declarations, formal
                 parameters, return types, throws declarations and
                 local variables, and types from which attribute
                 and method selections are made. Excessive coupling
                 between objects is detrimental to modular design
                 and prevents reuse. The more independent a class
                 is, the easier it is to reuse it in another
                 application. In order to improve modularity and
                 promote encapsulation, inter-object class couples
                 should be kept to a minimum. The larger the number
                 of couples, the higher the sensitivity to changes
                 in other parts of the design, and therefore
                 maintenance is more difficult. A measure of
                 coupling is useful to determine how complex
                 the testing of various parts of a design is
                 likely to be. The higher the inter-object class
                 coupling, the more rigorous the testing needs to be.
Data Abstraction Counts the number of reference types used in the
Coupling         attribute declarations.
FanOut           Counts the number of reference types that are used
                 in attribute declarations, formal parameters, return
                 types, throws declarations and local variables.

[0083]

TABLE 5
Halstead Metrics
Halstead Metrics    Description
Halstead Difficulty This measure is one of the Halstead Software
                    Science metrics. It is calculated as (‘Number of
                    Unique Operator’/‘Number of Unique
                    Operands’) * (‘Number of Operands’/
                    ‘Number of Unique Operands’).
Halstead Effort     This measure is one of
                    the Halstead Software Science metrics. It
                    is calculated as ‘Halstead Difficulty’ *
                    ‘Halstead Program Volume.’
Halstead Program    This measure is one of the Halstead Software
Length              Science metrics. It is calculated as ‘Number of
                    Operators’ + ‘Number of Operands.’
Halstead Program    This measure is one of the Halstead Software
Vocabulary          Science metrics. It is calculated as ‘Number of
                    Unique Operators’ + ‘Number of Unique
                    Operands.’
Halstead Program    This measure is one of the Halstead Software
Volume              Science metrics. It is calculated as ‘Halstead
                    Program Length’ * Log2(‘Halstead Program
                    Vocabulary’).
Number Of Operands  This measure is used as an input to the Halstead
                    Software Science metrics. It counts the number of
                    operands used in a class.
Number Of Operators This measure is used as an input to the Halstead
                    Software Science metrics. It counts the number of
                    operators used in a class.
Number Of Unique    This measure is used as an input to the Halstead
Operands            Software Science metrics. It counts the number of
                    unique operands used in a class.
Number Of Unique    This measure is used as an input to the Halstead
Operators           Software Science metrics. It counts the number of
                    unique operators used in a class.

[0084]

TABLE 6
Inheritance Metrics
Inheritance Metrics  Description
Depth Of Inheritance Counts how far down the inheritance hierarchy
Hierarchy            a class or interface is declared. High values
                     imply that a class is quite specialized.
Number Of Child      Counts the number of classes which inherit from a
Classes              particular class, i.e., the number of classes
                     in the inheritance tree down from a class. Non-
                     zero value indicates that the particular class
                     is being re-used. The abstraction of the class
                     may be poor if there are too many child classes.
                     It should also be stated that a high value of
                     this measure points to the definite amount of
                     testing required for each child class.

[0085]

TABLE 7
Maximum Metrics
Maximum Metrics   Description
Maximum Number Of Counts the maximum depth of ‘if,’ ‘for’ and
Levels            ‘while’ branches in the bodies of methods.
                  Logical units with a large number of nested
                  levels may need implementation simplification
                  and process improvement because groups that
                  contain more than seven pieces of information
                  are increasingly harder for people to understand
                  in problem solving.
Maximum Number Of Displays the maximum number of parameters
Parameters        among all class operations. Methods with many
                  parameters tend to be more specialized and,
                  thus, are less likely to be reusable.
Maximum Size Of   Counts the maximum size of the operations
Operation         for a class. Method size is determined in terms
                  of cyclomatic complexity, i.e., the number of
                  ‘if,’ ‘for’ and ‘while’ statements
                  in the operation’s body.

[0086]

TABLE 8
Polymorphism Metrics
Polymorphism
Metrics            Description
Number Of Added    Counts the number of operations added by a class. A
Methods            large value of this measure indicates that the
                   functionality of the given class becomes increasingly
                   distinct from that of the parent classes. In this
                   case, it should be considered whether this class
                   genuinely should be inheriting from the parent, or
                   if it could be broken down into several smaller
                   classes.
Number Of          Counts the number of inherited operations which a
Overridden Methods class overrides. Classes without parents are
                   not processed. High values tend to indicate design
                   problems, i.e., subclasses should generally add to
                   and extend the functionality of the parent classes
                   rather than overriding them.

[0087]

TABLE 9
Ratio Metrics
Ratio Metrics         Description
Comment Ratio         Counts the ratio of comments to total lines of
                      code including comments.
Percentage Of Package Counts the percentage of package members in a
Members               class.
Percentage Of Private Counts the percentage of private members in a
Members               class.
Percentage Of         Counts the percentage of protected members in a
Protected Members     class.
Percentage Of Public  Counts the proportion of vulnerable members in
Members               a class. A large proportion of such members
                      means that the class has high potential to be
                      affected by external classes and means that
                      increased efforts will be needed to test such
                      a class thoroughly.
True Comment Ratio    Counts the ratio of comments to total lines
                      of code excluding comments.

[0088] The QA module also provides audits, i.e., the module checks for conformance to predefined or user-defined styles. The types of audits provided by the module include coding style, critical errors, declaration style, documentation, naming style, performance, possible errors and superfluous content. Examples of these audits with their respective definitions are identified in Tables 10-17 below.

TABLE 10
Coding Style Audits
Coding Style Audits    Description
Access Of Static       Static members should be referenced through
Members Through        class names rather than through objects.
Objects
Assignment To Formal   Formal parameters should not be assigned.
Parameters
Complex Assignment     Checks for the occurrence of multiple
                       assignments and assignments to variables within
                       the same expression. Complex assignments
                       should be avoided since they decrease
                       program readability.
Don’t Use the          The negation operator slows down the readability
Negation Operator      of the program. Thus, it is recommended that it
Frequently             not be used frequently.
Operator ‘?:’ May Not  The operator ‘?:’ makes the code harder to
Be Used                read than the alternative form with an if-
                       statement.
Provide Incremental In Checks if the third argument of the ‘for’-
For-Statement or use   statement is missing.
while-statement
Replacement For        Demand import-declarations must be replaced by
Demand Imports         a list of single import-declarations that are
                       actually imported into the compilation unit.
                       In other words, import-statements may not end
                       with an asterisk.
Use Abbreviated        Use the abbreviated assignment operator in order
Assignment Operator    to write programs more rapidly. Also some
                       compilers run faster with the abbreviated
                       assignment operator.
Use ‘this’ Explicitly  Tries to make the developer use ‘this’ explicitly
To Access Class        when trying to access class members. Using
Members                the same class member names with parameter
                       names often makes what the developer is
                       referring to unclear.

[0089]

TABLE 11
Critical Errors Audits
Critical Errors
Audits                  Description
Avoid Hiding            Detects when attributes declared in child classes
Inherited Attributes    hide inherited attributes.
Avoid Hiding            Detects when inherited static operations are
Inherited Static        hidden by child classes.
Methods
Command Query           Prevents methods that return a value from a
Separation              modifying state. The methods used to query the
                        state of an object must be different from the
                        methods used to perform commands (change the
                        state of the object).
Hiding Of Names         Declarations of names should not hide other
                        declarations of the same name.
Inaccessible            Overload resolution only considers constructors
Constructor Or          and methods that are visible at the point of the
Method Matches          call. If, however, all the constructors and methods
                        were considered, there may be more matches.
                        This rule is violated in this case.
                        Imagine that ClassB is in a different package than
                        ClassA. Then the allocation of ClassB violates
                        this rule since the second constructor is not visible
                        at the point of the allocation, but it still matches
                        the allocation (based on signature). Also the call
                        to open in ClassB violates this rule since the
                        second and the third declarations of open are not
                        visible at the point of the call, but it still matches
                        the call (based on signature).
Multiple Visible        Multiple declarations with the same name must
Declarations With       not be simultaneously visible except for over-
Same Name               loaded methods.
Overriding a Non-       Checks for abstract methods overriding non-
Abstract Method With    abstract methods in a subclass.
an Abstract Method
Overriding a Private    A subclass should not contain a method with the
Method                  same name and signature as in a superclass if
                        these methods are declared to be private.
Overloading Within a    A superclass method may not be overloaded
Subclass                within a subclass unless all overloading in the
                        superclass are also overridden in the subclass. It
                        is very unusual for a subclass to be overloading
                        methods in its superclass without also overriding
                        the methods it is overloading. More frequently
                        this happens due to inconsistent changes between
                        the superclass and subclass—i.e., the intention
                        of the user is to override the method in the
                        superclass, but due to the error, the subclass
                        method ends up overloading the superclass
                        method.
Use of Static Attribute Non-final static attributes should not be used in
for Initialization      initializations of attributes.

[0090]

TABLE 12
Declaration Style Audits
Declaration
Style Audits          Description
Badly Located Array   Array declarators must be placed next to the type
Declarators           descriptor of their component type.
Constant Private      Private attributes that never get their values
Attributes Must Be    changed must be declared final. By explicitly
Final                 declaring them in such a way, a reader of the
                      source code get some information of how the
                      attribute is supposed to be used.
Constant Variables    Local variables that never get their values
Must Be Final         changed must be declared final. By explicitly
                      declaring them in such a way, a reader of the
                      source code obtains information about how the
                      variable is supposed to be used.
Declare Variables In  Several variables (attributes and local variables)
One Statement Each    should not be declared in the same statement.
Instantiated Classes  This rule recommends making all instantiated
Should Be Final       classes final. It checks classes which are present
                      in the object model. Classes from search/classpath
                      are ignored.
List All Public And   Enforces a standard to improve readability.
Package Members       Methods/data in your class should be ordered
First                 properly.
Order Of Appearance   Checks for correct ordering of modifiers. For
Of Modifiers          classes, this includes visibility (public, protected
                      or private), abstract, static, final. For attributes,
                      this includes visibility (public, protected or
                      private), static, final, transient, volatile. For
                      operations, this includes visibility (public,
                      protected or private), abstract, static, final,
                      synchronized, native.
Put the Main Function Tries to make the program comply with various
Last                  coding standards regarding the form of the class
                      definitions.

[0091]

TABLE 13
Documentation Audits
Documentation
Audits               Description
Bad Tag In JavaDoc   This rule verifies code against accidental use of
Comments             improper JavaDoc tags.
Distinguish Between  Checks whether the JavaDoc comments in your
JavaDoc And Ordinary program ends with ‘**/’ and ordinary C-style
Comments             ones with ‘*/.’

[0092]

TABLE 14
Naming Style Audits
Naming Style Audits Description
Class Name Must     Checks whether top level classes or interfaces
Match Its File Name have the same name as the file in which they
                    reside.
Group Operations    Enforces standard to improve readability.
With Same Name
Together
Naming Conventions  Takes a regular expression and item name and
                    reports all occurrences where the pattern does not
                    match the declaration.
Names Of Exception  Names of classes which inherit from Exception
Classes             should end with Exception.
Use Conventional    One-character local variable or parameter names
Variable Names      should be avoided, except for temporary and
                    looping variables, or where a variable holds an
                    undistinguished value of a type.

[0093]

TABLE 15
Performance Audits
Performance Audits     Description
Avoid Declaring        This rule recommends declaring local variables
Variables Inside Loops outside the loops since declaring variables inside
                       the loop is less efficient.
Append To String       Performance enhancements can be obtained by
Within a Loop          replacing String operations with StringBuffer
                       operations if a String object is appended within a
                       loop.
Complex Loop           Avoid using complex expressions as repeat
Expressions            conditions within loops.

[0094]

TABLE 16
Possible Error Audits
Possible Error Audits  Description
Avoid Public And       Declare the attributes either private or protected,
Package Attributes     and provide operations to access or change them.
Avoid Statements       Avoid statements with empty body.
With Empty Body
Assignment To For-     ‘For’-loop variables should not be assigned.
Loop Variables
Don't Compare          Avoid testing for equality of floating point
Floating Point Types   numbers since floating-point numbers that should
                       be equal are not always equal due to rounding
                       problems.
Enclosing Body         The statement of a loop must always be a block.
Within a Block         The ‘then’ and ‘else’ parts of ‘if’ statements must
                       always be blocks. This makes it easier to add
                       statements without accidentally introducing bugs
                       in case the developer forgets to add braces.
Explicitly Initialize  Explicitly initialize all variables. The only reason
All Variables          not to initialize a variable is where it's declared is
                       if the initial value depends on some computation
                       occurring first.
Method finalize()      Calling of super.finalize() from finalize() is good
Doesn't Call           practice of programming, even if the base class
super.finalize()       doesn't define the finalize() method. This makes
                       class implementations less dependent on each
                       other.
Mixing Logical         An expression containing multiple logical
Operators Without      operators should be parenthesized properly.
Parentheses
No Assignments In      Use of assignment within conditions makes the
Conditional            source code hard to understand.
Expressions
Use ‘equals’ Instead   The ‘==’ operator used on strings checks if two
Of ‘==’                string objects are two identical objects. In most
                       situations, however, one likes to simply check if
                       two strings have the same value. In these cases,
                       the ‘equals’ method should be used.
Use ‘L’ Instead Of ‘l’ It is better to use uppercase ‘L’ to distinguish the
at the end of integer  letter ‘l’ from the number ‘1.’
constant
Use Of the             The ‘synchronized’ modifier on methods can
‘synchronized’         sometimes cause confusion during maintenance as
Modifier               well as during debugging. This rule therefore
                       recommends against using this modifier, and
                       instead recommends using ‘synchronized’
                       statements as replacements.

[0095]

TABLE 17
Superfluous Content Audits
Superfluous
Content Audits         Description
Duplicate Import       There should be at most one import declaration
Declarations           that imports a particular class/package.
Don't Import the       No classes or interfaces need to be imported from
Package the Source     the package to which the source code file belongs.
File Belongs To        Everything in that package is available without
                       explicit import statements.
Explicit Import Of the Explicit import of classes from the package
java.lang Classes      ‘java.lang’ should not be performed.
Equality Operations    Avoid performing equality operations on Boolean
On Boolean             operands. ‘True’ and ‘false’ literals should not be
Arguments              used in conditional clauses.
Imported Items Must    It is not legal to import a class or an interface and
Be Used                never use it. This rule checks classes and
                       interfaces that are explicitly imported with their
                       names—that is not with import of a complete
                       package, using an asterisk. If unused class and
                       interface imports are omitted, the amount of
                       meaningless source code is reduced—thus the
                       amount of code to be understood by a reader is
                       minimized.
Unnecessary Casts      Checks for the use of type casts that are not
                       necessary.
Unnecessary            Verifies that the runtime type of the left-hand side
‘instanceof’           expression is the same as the one specified on the
Evaluations            right-hand side.
Unused Local           Local variables and formal parameter declarations
Variables And Formal   must be used.
Parameters
Use Of Obsolete        The modifier ‘abstract’ is considered obsolete and
Interface Modifier     should not be used.
Use Of Unnecessary     All interface operations are implicitly public and
Interface Member       abstract. All interface attributes are implicitly
Modifiers              public, final and static.
Unused Private Class   An unused class member might indicate a logical
Member                 flaw in the program. The class declaration has to
                       be reconsidered in order to determine the need of
                       the unused member(s).

[0096] If the QA module determines that the source code does not conform, an error message is provided to the developer. For example, as depicted in FIG. 8A, the software development tool checks for a variety of coding styles 800. If the software development tool were to check for “Access Of Static Members Through Objects” 802, it would verify whether static members are referenced through class names rather than through objects 804. Further, as depicted in FIG. 8B, if the software development tool were to check for “Complex Assignment” 806, the software development tool would check for the occurrence of multiple assignments and assignments to variables within the same expression to avoid complex assignments since these decrease program readability 808. An example of source code having a complex assignment 810 and source code having a non-complex assignment 812 are depicted in FIGS. 8B and 8C, respectively. The QA module of the software development tool scans the source code for other syntax errors well known in the art, as described above, and provides an error message if any such errors are detected.

[0097] The improved software development tool of the present invention is used to develop source code in a project. The project comprises a plurality of files and the source code of a chosen one of the plurality of files is written in a given language. The software development tool determines the language of the source code of the chosen file, converts the source code from the language into a language-neutral representation, uses the language-neutral representation to textually display the source code of the chosen file in the language, and uses the language-neutral representation to display a graphical representation of at least a portion of the project. The source code and the graphical representation are displayed simultaneously.

[0098] The improved software development tool of the present invention is also used to develop source code. The software development tool receives an indication of a selected language for the source code, creates a file to store the source code in the selected language, converts the source code from the selected language into a language-neutral representation, uses the language-neutral representation to display the source code of the file, and uses the language-neutral representation to display a graphical representation of the file. Again, the source code and the graphical representation are displayed simultaneously.

[0099] Moreover, if the source code in the file is modified, the modified source code and a graphical representation of at least a portion of the modified source code are displayed simultaneously. The QA module of the software development tool provides an error message if the modification does not conform to predefined or user-defined styles, as described above. The modification to the source code may be received from the display of the source code, the display of the graphical representation of the project, or via some other independent software to modify the code. The graphical representation of the project may be in Unified Modeling Language; however, one skilled in the art will recognize that other graphical representations of the source code may be displayed. Further, although the present invention is described and shown using the various views of the UML, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other views may be displayed.

[0100] FIG. 9 depicts a flow diagram of the steps performed by the software development tool to develop a project in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the present invention. As previously stated, the project comprises a plurality of files. The developer either uses the software development tool to open a file that contains existing source code, or to create a file in which the source code will be developed. If the software development tool is used to open the file, determined in step 900, the software development tool initially determines the programming language in which the code is written (step 902). The language is identified by the extension of the file, e.g., “.java” identifies source code written in the Java™ language, while “.cpp” identifies source code written in C++. The software development tool then obtains a template for the current programming language, i.e., a collection of generalized definitions for the particular language that can be used to build the data structure (step 904). For example, the definition of a new Java™ class contains a default name, e.g., “Class1,” and the default code, “public class Class1 {}.” Such templates are well known in the art. For example, the “Microsoft Foundation Class Library” and the “Microsoft Word Template For Business Use Case Modeling” are examples of standard template libraries from which programmers can choose individual template classes. The software development tool uses the template to parse the source code (step 906), and create the data structure (step 908). After creating the data structure or if there is no existing code, the software development tool awaits an event, i.e., a modification or addition to the source code by the developer (step 910). If an event is received and the event is to close the file (step 912), the file is saved (step 914) and closed (step 916). Otherwise, the software development tool performs the event (step 918), i.e., the tool makes the modification. The software development tool then updates the TMM or model (step 920), as discussed in detail below, and updates both the graphical and the textual views (step 922).

[0101] FIGS. 10A and 10B depict a flow diagram illustrating the update model step of FIG. 9. The software development tool selects a file from the project (step 1000), and determines whether the file is new (step 1002), whether the file has been updated (step 1004), or whether the file has been deleted (step 1006). If the file is new, the software development tool adds the additional symbols from the file to the TMM (step 1008). To add the symbol to the TMM, the software development tool uses the template to parse the symbol to the TMM. If the file has been updated, the software development tool updates the symbols in the TMM (step 1010). Similar to the addition of a symbol to the TMM, the software development tool uses the template to parse the symbol to the TMM. If the file has been deleted, the software development tool deletes the symbols in the TMM (step 1012). The software development tool continues this analysis for all files in the project. After all files are analyzed (step 1014), any obsolete symbols in the TMM (step 1016) are deleted (step 1018).

[0102] FIG. 11 depicts a flow diagram illustrating the performance of an event, specifically the creation of a class, in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the present invention. After identifying the programming language (step 1100), the software development tool obtains a template for the language (step 1102), creates a source code file in the project directory (step 1104), and pastes the template onto the TMM (step 1106). The project directory corresponds to the SCI model 302 of FIG. 3. Additional events which a developer may perform using the software development tool include the creation, modification or deletion of packages, projects, attributes, interfaces, links, operations, and the closing of a file.

[0103] The software development tool is collectively broken into three views of the application: the static view, the dynamic view, and the functional view. The static view is modeled using the use-case and class diagrams. A use case diagram 1200, depicted in FIG. 12, shows the relationship among actors 1202 and use cases 1204 within the system 1206. A class diagram 1300, depicted in FIG. 13 with its associated source code 1302, on the other hand, includes classes 1304, interfaces, packages and their relationships connected as a graph to each other and to their contents.

[0104] The dynamic view is modeled using the sequence, collaboration and statechart diagrams. As depicted in FIG. 14, a sequence diagram 1400 represents an interaction, which is a set of messages 1402 exchanged among objects 1404 within a collaboration to effect a desired operation or result. In a sequence diagram 1400, the vertical dimension represents time and the horizontal dimension represents different objects. A collaboration diagram 1500, depicted in FIG. 15, is also an interaction with messages 1502 exchanged among objects 1504, but it is also a collaboration, which is a set of objects 1504 related in a particular context. Contrary to sequence diagrams 1400 (FIG. 14), which emphasize the time ordering of messages along the vertical axis, collaboration diagrams 1500 (FIG. 15) emphasize the structural organization of objects.

[0105] A statechart diagram 1600 is depicted in FIG. 16. The statechart diagram 1600 includes the sequences of states 1602 that an object or interaction goes through during its life in response to stimuli, together with its responses and actions. It uses a graphic notation that shows states of an object, the events that cause a transition from one state to another, and the actions that result from the transition.

[0106] The functional view can be represented by activity diagrams 1700 and more traditional descriptive narratives such as pseudocode and minispecifications. An activity diagram 1700 is depicted in FIG. 17, and is a special case of a state diagram where most, if not all, of the states are action states 1702 and where most, if not all, of the transitions are triggered by completion of the actions in the source states. Activity diagrams 1700 are used in situations where all or most of the events represent the completion of internally generated actions.

[0107] There is also a fourth view mingled with the static view called the architectural view. This view is modeled using package, component and deployment diagrams. Package diagrams show packages of classes and the dependencies among them. Component diagrams 1800, depicted in FIG. 18, are graphical representations of a system or its component parts. Component diagrams 1800 show the dependencies among software components, including source code components, binary code components and executable components. As depicted in FIG. 19, Deployment diagrams 1900 are used to show the distribution strategy for a distributed object system. Deployment diagrams 1900 show the configuration of run-time processing elements and the software components, processes and objects that live on them.

[0108] Although discussed in terms of class diagrams, one skilled in the art will recognize that the software development tool of the present invention may support these and other graphical views.

Animation of Diagrams

[0109] To assist a developer in debugging source code, the software development tool displays the source code as well as a graphical display of the source code, and as the software development tool compiles each line of source code, the portion of the graphical representation corresponding to the compiled source code is displayed in a visually distinct manner, e.g., highlighted. This allows a developer to visually track the execution of the compiled code. As a result, the software development tool animates the execution of the source code. The animation may proceed through the entire source code without interruption. Alternatively, the animation may continue until the software development tool stops the animation. For example, the software development tool may proceed through each line of source code until the next line causes an object or a link to be displayed in a visually distinctive manner. In another embodiment, the developer may indicate at which line the animation should end. In yet another embodiment, the software development tool compiles and debugs the line of code, and the animation proceeds until the software development tool detects an error in the source code.

[0110] FIG. 20 depicts a flow diagram illustrating the steps performed by the software development tool during the animation of the source code. In this embodiment, the software development tool initiates an automated process that processes each of the lines. While the automated process processes each of the lines, the software development tool displays the portion of the graphical representation that corresponds to the line in a visually distinctive manner so that it visually appears that progression of the automated process is animated.

[0111] As discussed above, the software development tool uses the source code to generate the TMM, which stores a language-neutral representation of the source code. The first step performed by the software development tool is to display a portion of the source code in a project (step 2000). As discussed above, the text of the source code may be obtained directly from the source code file, or it may be generated from the language-neutral representation in the TMM. The software development tool uses the TMM to generate the graphical representation of the source code in the project so that it is simultaneously displayed with the source code (step 2002). For example, FIG. 21 depicts user interface 2100 with both a graphical representation 2102 and a portion of the text of the source code 2104. The graphical representation 2102 depicted in FIG. 21 is a sequence diagram. As is well known, a sequence diagram depicts object interactions arranged in a time sequence. In particular, it shows the objects participating in the interaction and the sequence of messages exchanged by or between the objects. The messages indicate the methods performed by or between the objects. Thus, in FIG. 21, the sequence diagram shows the interaction of Object1 2106 and CashSale 2108. As depicted, Object1 2106 sends a message, “calcTotal( ):BigDecimal” 2110, to CashSale 2108. Thus, the software development tool performs the method calcTotal( ) between Object1 2106 and CashSale 2108. The sequence diagram also illustrates that CashSale 2108 performs self-calls, i.e., messages that an object sends to itself. The self-calls performed by CashSale 2108 are calcSubtotal( ):BigDecimal 2112, getDetails( ):Enumeration 2114, and [iter.hasMoreElements( )]calcTotal( ):BigDecimal 2116. These messages indicate methods performed by CashSale. The “[iter.hasMoreElements( )]” indicates that CashSale repeatedly calls the method calcTotal( ). CashSale 2108 also sends the message “calcPriceForQty(qty):BigDecimal” 2118 to the next object (not within view of the window). Thus, the software development tool performs the method calcPriceForQty(qty) between CashSale 2108 and the next object (not within view of the window).

[0112] After displaying the source code, the software development tool selects the first line of source code and compiles it into object code (step 2004). Alternatively, the software development tool may obtain the object code from an external tool, such as a debugger. After the software development tool compiles each line of source code, the software development tool displays the portion of the graphical representation that corresponds to the compiled line just compiled in step 2004 in a visually distinctive manner (step 2006). For example, the graphical representation may be highlighted, the color of the graphical representation may change, the font of the text within the graphical representation may change, or the thickness of the links may change. Each line of source code typically represents either part of an object, or it represents the link between objects. Thus, the graphical representation of a line of source code refers to the graphical representation of the object containing the line of code or the graphical representation of the interaction between objects. For example, the source code displayed in FIG. 21 includes the following code in Java™ programming language:

public class CashSale {
public final static double TAX_RATE = 0.06;
private Vector detailList;
. . .
public BigDecimal calcSubtotal() {
. . .
}
}

[0113] As is well known, “public class CashSale” defines class “CashSale” 2108, shown in FIG. 21. Thus, after the software development tool compiles this line of source code, the software development tool displays “CashSale” 2108 in a visually distinctive manner. The next line of source code, “public final static double TAX_RATE=0.06” represents a part of class “CashSale” 2108 rather than a method performed by or between the objects. Thus, this line does not alter the graphical representation of the source code because CashSale has already been displayed in a graphically distinctive manner. Similarly, “private Vector detailList” represents a part of the class “CashSale” 2108 and does not alter the graphical display. Contrary to the previous lines, the next line of source code, “public BigDecimal calcSubtotal( )” is a method performed by object “CashSale” 2108. Accordingly, the software development tool represents the graphical representation of this method, i.e., calcSubtotal( ):BigDecimal 2112, in a graphically distinctive manner. The software development tool uses the TMM to identify and visually modify the portion of the graphical representation that corresponds to the compiled line of code.

[0114] Returning to the process defined by FIG. 20, the next step performed by the software development tool is to determine whether there are any more lines of source code to be compiled (step 2008). If there are any more lines of source code to be compiled, the software development tool compiles the next line of source code at step 2004. If there are no more lines of code to compile, the process ends. An example of the animation performed by the software development tool using the process defined in FIG. 20 is depicted in FIGS. 21-26.

[0115] As discussed above, the graphical representation 2102 and a portion of the text of the source code 2104 are initially displayed. As depicted in the sequence diagram of FIG. 21, the method calcTotal( ) 2106 initially calls class CashSale 2108. The line 2208 of source code 2204 shown in FIG. 22 defines method calcTotal( ). After the software development tool compiles this line 2208 of source code 2204, the software development tool displays the graphical representation 2202 of the line 2206 in a visually distinctive manner on the user interface 2200. The software development tool continues to compile each line of source code until it reaches line 2308 of the source code 2304 shown in the user interface 2300 of FIG. 23. After the software development tool compiles the line 2308 of source code 2304, the software development tool displays the graphical representation 2302 of the line 2306 in a visually distinctive manner. The software development continues to compile each line of source code until it reaches line 2408 of the source code 2404 shown in the user interface 2400 of FIG. 24. After the software development tool compiles the line 2408 of source code 2404, the software development tool displays the graphical representation 2402 of the line 2406 in a visually distinctive manner. The software development tool continues compiling additional lines of source code until it reaches line 2508 of the source code 2504 shown in the user interface 2500 of FIG. 25. After the software development tool compiles the line 2508 of source code 2504, the software development tool displays the graphical representation 2502 of the line 2506 in a visually distinctive manner. Finally, the software development tool compiles more lines of source code until it reaches line 2608 of the source code 2604 shown in the user interface 2600 of FIG. 26. After the software development tool compiles the line 2608 of source code 2604, the software development tool displays the graphical representation 2602 of the line 2606 in a visually distinctive manner.

[0116] As discussed above, the software development tool may continue animating the source code until the next line of code visibly modifies of the graphical representation. In this embodiment, the software development tool receives an indication to suspend the automated process when the automated process encounters one of the lines that is represented in the graphical representation. While the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, the software development tool determines whether the line is represented in the graphical representation. If the line is represented in the graphical representation, the software development tool suspends the automated process. FIG. 27 depicts this process. Initially, the software development tool displays the text of the source code (step 2700). The software development tool simultaneously displays a graphical representation of the source code (step 2702). The software development tool then selects a line of the source code (step 2704). The software development tool determines whether the selected line of source code appears in the graphical representation in a visually distinctive manner (step 2706). If the selected line of source code does not appear in the graphical representation in a visually distinctive manner, the software development tool displays the graphical representation of the selected line of source code in a visually distinctive manner (step 2708). At this point, the software development tool visibly modified the graphical representation, and the process ends. If the selected line of source code does appear in the graphical representation in a visually distinctive manner, the software development tool determines whether there are any more lines of source code (step 2710). If there are more lines of source code, the software development tool selects the next line of source code in step 2704. If there are no more lines of source code, the process ends.

[0117] In another embodiment, the animation continues until the software development tool reaches a line of source code selected by the developer. The software development tool receives an indication to suspend the automated process when the automated process encounters the selected line. While the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, the software development tool determines whether the line is the selected line. If the line is the selected line, the software development tool suspends the automated process.

[0118] In this embodiment, as with the previous examples, the software development tool initially displays the text of the source code (step 2800). The software development tool simultaneously displays the graphical representation of the source code (step 2802). The software development tool receives an indication of a line of source code from the developer (step 2804). This is the line at which animation will end. The next step performed by the software development tool is to select a line of source code (step 2806). The software development tool then determines whether the indicated line is the same as the selected line (step 2808). If the indicated line is the same as the selected line, the process ends. Otherwise, the software development tool determines whether there are any more lines of source code (step 2810). If there are more lines, the software development tool selects the next line of source code at step 2806. If there are no more lines, the process ends.

[0119] The software development tool may also continue the animation until it detects an error in the source code. In this case, while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, the software development tool compiles the line of source code, determines whether the compiled line produces an error, and of the compiled line produces the error, the software development tool suspends the automated process. FIG. 29 depicts this embodiment. Initially, the software development tool displays the text of the source code (step 2900). The software development tool simultaneously displays the graphical representation of the source code (step 2902). The software development tool then selects and compiles a line of source code (step 2904). As discussed above, an external tool may also perform the compilation. The software development tool determines whether the compiled line of source code contains an error (step 2906). If an error exists, the process ends. Otherwise, the software development tool displays a graphical representation of the selected line in a visually distinctive manner (step 2908). The software development tool then determines whether there are any more lines of source code (step 2910). If there are more lines, the software development tool compiles the next line of source code at step 2904. Otherwise, if there are no more lines to analyze, the process ends.

[0120] While various embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method in a data processing system, wherein the data processing system comprises source code and the source code comprises a plurality of lines, the method comprising the steps of: displaying a graphical representation of the source code, wherein the graphical representation has portions that correspond to the lines; initiating an automated process that processes each of the lines; and while the automated process processes each of the lines, displaying the portion of the graphical representation that corresponds to the line in a visually distinctive manner such that it visually appears that progression of the automated process is animated.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of compiling the line before displaying the portion of the graphical representation that corresponds to the line.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein while the automated process processes each of the lines, the method further comprises the step of displaying the line of source code in a visually distinctive manner.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the graphical representation comprises a class diagram.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the graphical representation comprises a sequence diagram.

6. A method in a data processing system, wherein the data processing system comprises source code and the source code comprises a plurality of lines, the method comprising the steps of: displaying a graphical representation of the source code, wherein the graphical representation has portions that correspond to the lines; and for each of the lines, displaying the portion of the graphical representation that corresponds to the line in a visually distinctive manner such that it appears that progression through the code is animated.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of compiling the line before displaying the portion of the graphical representation that corresponds to the line.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein for each of the lines, the method further comprises the step of displaying the line of source code in a visually distinctive manner.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the graphical representation comprises a class diagram.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the graphical representation comprises a sequence diagram.

11. A method in a data processing system, wherein the data processing system comprises source code and the source code comprises a plurality of lines, the method comprising the steps of: displaying a graphical representation of the plurality of lines such that at least one of the lines is not represented in the graphical representation; initiating an automated process on each of the lines of the source code; receiving an indication to suspend the automated process when the automated process encounters one of the lines that is represented in the graphical representation; and while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, determining whether the line is represented in the graphical representation; and when it is determined that the line is represented in the graphical representation, suspending the automated process.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, the method further comprises the step of displaying the portion of the graphical representation that corresponds to the line in a visually distinctive manner such that it visually appears that progression of the automated process is animated.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, the method further comprises the step of displaying the line of source code in a visually distinctive manner.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of compiling the line before determining whether the line is represented in the graphical representation.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the graphical representation comprises a class diagram.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the graphical representation comprises a sequence diagram.

17. A method in a data processing system, wherein the data processing system comprises source code and the source code comprises a plurality of lines, the method comprising the steps of: displaying a graphical representation of the source code; initiating an automated process to be performed on each of the lines of the source code; receiving an indication to suspend the automated process when the automated process encounters a selected one of the lines; and while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, determining whether the line is the selected line; and when it is determined that the line is the selected line, suspending the automated process.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, the method further comprises the step of displaying the portion of the graphical representation that corresponds to the line in a visually distinctive manner such that it visually appears that progression of the automated process is animated.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, the method further comprises the step of displaying the line of source code in a visually distinctive manner.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of compiling the line before determining whether the line is the selected line.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the graphical representation comprises a class diagram.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the graphical representation comprises a sequence diagram.

23. A method in a data processing system, wherein the data processing system comprises source code and the source code comprises a plurality of lines, the method comprising the steps of: displaying a graphical representation of the source code; receiving an indication of a first of the plurality of lines of the source code; selecting a second of the plurality of lines of the source code; determining whether the second line is the same as the first line; and when it is determined that the second line is not the same as the first line, displaying the graphical representation of the second line in a visually distinctive manner.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein when it is determined that the second line is not the same as the first line, the method further comprises the step of displaying the second line of the source code in a visually distinctive manner.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein when it is determined that the second line is not the same as the first line, the method further comprises the steps of: selecting a third of the plurality of lines of the source code; determining whether the third line is the same as the first line; and when it is determined that the third line is not the same as the first line, displaying the graphical representation of the third line in a visually distinctive manner.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein when it is determined that the third line is not the same as the first line, the method further comprises the step of displaying the third line of the source code in a visually distinctive manner.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the graphical representation comprises a class diagram.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein the graphical representation comprises a sequence diagram.

29. A method in a data processing system, wherein the data processing system comprises source code and the source code comprises a plurality of lines, the method comprising the steps of: displaying a graphical representation of the plurality of lines such that at least one of the lines is not represented in the graphical representation; initiating an automated process on each of the lines of the source code; while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, compiling the line; determining whether the compiled line produces an error; and when it is determined that the compiled line produces the error, suspending the automated process.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, the method further comprises the step of displaying the portion of the graphical representation that corresponds to the line in a visually distinctive manner such that it visually appears that progression of the automated process is animated.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, the method further comprises the step of displaying the line of source code in a visually distinctive manner.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the graphical representation comprises a class diagram.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein the graphical representation comprises a sequence diagram.

34. A method in a data processing system, wherein the data processing system comprises source code and the source code comprises a plurality of lines, the method comprising the steps of: displaying a graphical representation of the source code; selecting one of the plurality of lines of the source code; compiling the selected line; determining whether the compiled line produces an error; and when it is determined that the compiled line does not produce an error, displaying the graphical representation of the selected line in a visually distinctive manner.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein when it is determined that the compiled line does not produce an error, the method further comprises the step of displaying the selected line of source code in a visually distinctive manner.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein when it is determined that the compiled line does not produce an error, the method further comprises the steps of: selecting a second of the plurality of lines of the source code; compiling the second line; determining whether the compiled second line produces an error; and when it is determined that the compiled second line does not produce an error, displaying the graphical representation of the second line in a visually distinctive manner.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein when it is determined that the compiled second line does not produce an error, the method further comprises the step of displaying the second line of source code in a visually distinctive manner.

38. The method of claim 34, wherein the graphical representation comprises a class diagram.

39. The method of claim 34, wherein the graphical representation comprises a sequence diagram.

40. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a data processing system to perform a method, the data processing system comprises source code and the source code comprises a plurality of lines, the method comprising the steps of: displaying a graphical representation of the source code, wherein the graphical representation has portions that correspond to the lines; initiating an automated process that processes each of the lines; and while the automated process processes each of the lines, displaying the portion of the graphical representation that corresponds to the line in a visually distinctive manner such that it visually appears that progression of the automated process is animated.

41. The computer-readable medium of claim 40, wherein the method further comprises the step of compiling the line before displaying the portion of the graphical representation that corresponds to the line.

42. The computer-readable medium of claim 40, wherein while the automated process processes each of the lines, the method further comprises the step of displaying the line of source code in a visually distinctive manner.

43. The computer-readable medium of claim 40, wherein the graphical representation comprises a class diagram.

44. The computer-readable medium of claim 40, wherein the graphical representation comprises a sequence diagram.

45. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a data processing system to perform a method, the data processing system comprises source code and the source code comprises a plurality of lines, the method comprising the steps of: displaying a graphical representation of the source code, wherein the graphical representation has portions that correspond to the lines; and for each of the lines, displaying the portion of the graphical representation that corresponds to the line in a visually distinctive manner such that it appears that progression through the code is animated.

46. The computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein the method further comprises the step of compiling the line before displaying the portion of the graphical representation that corresponds to the line.

47. The computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein for each of the lines, the method further comprises the step of displaying the line of source code in a visually distinctive manner.

48. The computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein the graphical representation comprises a class diagram.

49. The computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein the graphical representation comprises a sequence diagram.

50. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a data processing system to perform a method, the data processing system comprises source code and the source code comprises a plurality of lines, the method comprising the steps of: displaying a graphical representation of the plurality of lines such that at least one of the lines is not represented in the graphical representation; initiating an automated process on each of the lines of the source code; receiving an indication to suspend the automated process when the automated process encounters one of the lines that is represented in the graphical representation; and while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, determining whether the line is represented in the graphical representation; and when it is determined that the line is represented in the graphical representation, suspending the automated process.

51. The computer-readable medium of claim 50, wherein while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, the method further comprises the step of displaying the portion of the graphical representation that corresponds to the line in a visually distinctive manner such that it visually appears that progression of the automated process is animated.

52. The computer-readable medium of claim 51, wherein while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, the method further comprises the step of displaying the line of source code in a visually distinctive manner.

53. The computer-readable medium of claim 50, wherein the method further comprises the step of compiling the line before determining whether the line is represented in the graphical representation.

54. The computer-readable medium of claim 50, wherein the graphical representation comprises a class diagram.

55. The computer-readable medium of claim 50, wherein the graphical representation comprises a sequence diagram.

56. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a data processing system to perform a method, the data processing system comprises source code and the source code comprises a plurality of lines, the method comprising the steps of: displaying a graphical representation of the source code; initiating an automated process to be performed on each of the lines of the source code; receiving an indication to suspend the automated process when the automated process encounters a selected one of the lines; and while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, determining whether the line is the selected line; and when it is determined that the line is the selected line, suspending the automated process.

57. The computer-readable medium of claim 56, wherein while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, the method further comprises the step of displaying the portion of the graphical representation that corresponds to the line in a visually distinctive manner such that it visually appears that progression of the automated process is animated.

58. The computer-readable medium of claim 57, wherein while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, the method further comprises the step of displaying the line of source code in a visually distinctive manner.

59. The computer-readable medium of claim 56, wherein the method further comprises the step of compiling the line before determining whether the line is the selected line.

60. The computer-readable medium of claim 56, wherein the graphical representation comprises a class diagram.

61. The computer-readable medium of claim 56, wherein the graphical representation comprises a sequence diagram.

62. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a data processing system to perform a method, the data processing system comprises source code and the source code comprises a plurality of lines, the method comprising the steps of: displaying a graphical representation of the source code; receiving an indication of a first of the plurality of lines of the source code; selecting a second of the plurality of lines of the source code; determining whether the second line is the same as the first line; and when it is determined that the second line is not the same as the first line, displaying the graphical representation of the second line in a visually distinctive manner.

63. The computer-readable medium of claim 62, wherein when it is determined that the second line is not the same as the first line, the method further comprises the step of displaying the second line of the source code in a visually distinctive manner.

64. The computer-readable medium of claim 62, wherein when it is determined that the second line is not the same as the first line, the method further comprises the steps of: selecting a third of the plurality of lines of the source code; determining whether the third line is the same as the first line; and when it is determined that the third line is not the same as the first line, displaying the graphical representation of the third line in a visually distinctive manner.

65. The computer-readable medium of claim 64, wherein when it is determined that the third line is not the same as the first line, the method further comprises the step of displaying the third line of the source code in a visually distinctive manner.

66. The computer-readable medium of claim 62, wherein the graphical representation comprises a class diagram.

67. The computer-readable medium of claim 62, wherein the graphical representation comprises a sequence diagram.

68. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a data processing system to perform a method, the data processing system comprises source code and the source code comprises a plurality of lines, the method comprising the steps of: displaying a graphical representation of the plurality of lines such that at least one of the lines is not represented in the graphical representation; initiating an automated process on each of the lines of the source code; while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, compiling the line; determining whether the compiled line produces an error; and when it is determined that the compiled line produces the error, suspending the automated process.

69. The computer-readable medium of claim 68, wherein while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, the method further comprises the step of displaying the portion of the graphical representation that corresponds to the line in a visually distinctive manner such that it visually appears that progression of the automated process is animated.

70. The computer-readable medium of claim 69, wherein while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, the method further comprises the step of displaying the line of source code in a visually distinctive manner.

71. The computer-readable medium of claim 68, wherein the graphical representation comprises a class diagram .

72. The computer-readable medium of claim 68, wherein the graphical representation comprises a sequence diagram.

73. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a data processing system to perform a method, the data processing system comprises source code and the source code comprises a plurality of lines, the method comprising the steps of: displaying a graphical representation of the source code; selecting one of the plurality of lines of the source code; compiling the selected line; determining whether the compiled line produces an error; and when it is determined that the compiled line does not produce an error, displaying the graphical representation of the selected line in a visually distinctive manner.

74. The computer-readable medium of claim 73, wherein when it is determined that the compiled line does not produce an error, the method further comprises the step of displaying the selected line of source code in a visually distinctive manner.

75. The computer-readable medium of claim 73, wherein when it is determined that the compiled line does not produce an error, the method further comprises the steps of: selecting a second of the plurality of lines of the source code; compiling the second line; determining whether the compiled second line produces an error; and when it is determined that the compiled second line does not produce an error, displaying the graphical representation of the second line in a visually distinctive manner.

76. The computer-readable medium of claim 75, wherein when it is determined that the compiled second line does not produce an error, the method further comprises the step of displaying the second line of source code in a visually distinctive manner.

77. The computer-readable medium of claim 73, wherein the graphical representation comprises a class diagram.

78. The computer-readable medium of claim 73, wherein the graphical representation comprises a sequence diagram.

79. A data processing system comprising: a secondary storage device further comprising source code wherein the source code comprises a plurality of lines; a memory device further comprising a program that displays a graphical representation of the plurality of lines such that at least one of the lines is not represented in the graphical representation, that initiates an automated process on each of the lines of the source code, that receives an indication to suspend the automated process when the automated process encounters one of the lines that is represented in the graphical representation, and while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, the program determines whether the line is represented in the graphical representation, and when it is determined that the line is represented in the graphical representation, the program suspends the automated process; and a processor for running the program.

80. The data processing system of claim 79, wherein while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, the program further displays the portion of the graphical representation that corresponds to the line in a visually distinctive manner such that it visually appears that progression of the automated process is animated.

81. The data processing system of claim 80, wherein while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, the program further displays the line of source code in a visually distinctive manner.

82. The data processing system of claim 79, wherein the program further compiles the line before determining whether the line is represented in the graphical representation.

83. The data processing system of claim 79, wherein the graphical representation comprises a class diagram.

84. The data processing system of claim 79, wherein the graphical representation comprises a sequence diagram.

85. A data processing system comprising: a secondary storage device further comprising source code wherein the source code comprises a plurality of lines; a memory device further comprising a program that displays a graphical representation of the source code, that initiates an automated process to be performed on each of the lines of the source code, that receives an indication to suspend the automated process when the automated process encounters a selected one of the lines, and while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, the program determines whether the line is the selected line, and when it is determined that the line is the selected line, the program suspends the automated process; and a processor for running the program.

86. The data processing system of claim 85, wherein while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, the program further displays the portion of the graphical representation that corresponds to the line in a visually distinctive manner such that it visually appears that progression of the automated process is animated.

87. The data processing system of claim 86, wherein while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, the program further displays the line of source code in a visually distinctive manner.

88. The data processing system of claim 85, wherein the program further compiles the line before determining whether the line is the selected line.

89. The data processing system of claim 85, wherein the graphical representation comprises a class diagram.

90. The data processing system of claim 85, wherein the graphical representation comprises a sequence diagram.

91. A data processing system comprising: a secondary storage device further comprising source code wherein the source code comprises a plurality of lines; a memory device further comprising a program that displays a graphical representation of the source code, that receives an indication of a first of the plurality of lines of the source code, that selects a second of the plurality of lines of the source code, that determines whether the second line is the same as the first line, and when it is determined that the second line is not the same as the first line, the program displays the graphical representation of the second line in a visually distinctive manner; and a processor for running the program.

92. The data processing system of claim 91, wherein when it is determined that the second line is not the same as the first line, the program further displays the second line of the source code in a visually distinctive manner.

93. The data processing system of claim 91, wherein when it is determined that the second line is not the same as the first line, the program further selects a third of the plurality of lines of the source code, determines whether the third line is the same as the first line, and when it is determined that the third line is not the same as the first line, the program displays the graphical representation of the third line in a visually distinctive manner.

94. The data processing system of claim 93, wherein when it is determined that the third line is not the same as the first line, the program further displays the third line of the source code in a visually distinctive manner.

95. The data processing system of claim 91, wherein the graphical representation comprises a class diagram.

96. The data processing system of claim 91, wherein the graphical representation comprises a sequence diagram.

97. A data processing system comprising: a secondary storage device further comprising source code wherein the source code comprises a plurality of lines; a memory device further comprising a program that displays a graphical representation of the plurality of lines such that at least one of the lines is not represented in the graphical representation, that initiates an automated process on each of the lines of the source code, while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, the program compiles the line, determines whether the compiled line produces an error, and when it is determined that the compiled line produces the error, the program suspends the automated process; and a processor for running the program.

98. The data processing system of claim 97, wherein while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, the program further displays the portion of the graphical representation that corresponds to the line in a visually distinctive manner such that it visually appears that progression of the automated process is animated.

99. The data processing system of claim 98, wherein while the automated process is being performed on each of the lines of source code, the program further displays the line of source code in a visually distinctive manner.

100. The data processing system of claim 97, wherein the graphical representation comprises a class diagram.

101. The data processing system of claim 97, wherein the graphical representation comprises a sequence diagram.

102. A data processing system comprising: a secondary storage device further comprising source code wherein the source code comprises a plurality of lines; a memory device further comprising a program that displays a graphical representation of the source code, that selects one of the plurality of lines of the source code; that compiles the selected line, that determines whether the compiled line produces an error, and when it is determined that the compiled line does not produce an error, the program displays the graphical representation of the selected line in a visually distinctive manner; and a processor for running the program.

103. The data processing system of claim 102, wherein when it is determined that the compiled line does not produce an error, the program further displays the selected line of source code in a visually distinctive manner.

104. The data processing system of claim 102, wherein when it is determined that the compiled line does not produce an error, the program further selects a second of the plurality of lines of the source code, compiles the second line, determines whether the compiled second line produces an error, and when it is determined that the compiled second line does not produce an error, the program displays the graphical representation of the second line in a visually distinctive manner.

105. The data processing system of claim 104, wherein when it is determined that the compiled second line does not produce an error, the program further displays the second line of source code in a visually distinctive manner.

106. The data processing system of claim 102, wherein the graphical representation comprises a class diagram.

107. The data processing system of claim 102, wherein the graphical representation comprises a sequence diagram.

108. A system having source code wherein the source code comprises a plurality of lines, the system comprising: means for displaying a graphical representation of the source code, wherein the graphical representation has portions that correspond to the lines; means for initiating an automated process that processes each of the lines; and means for displaying the portion of the graphical representation that corresponds to the line in a visually distinctive manner such that it visually appears that progression of the automated process is animated while the automated process processes each of the lines.