Graph browser and implicit query for software development

• US 20070011649A1
• Filed: 07/05/2005
• Published: 01/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Venolia, Gina
• Granted Patent: US 7,743,360 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/101
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/20 Software design

Abstract

Software development items can be represented in a graph data structure. Relationships between the represented items can be detected and reflected in the graph data structure. Queries can be run against the data structure to determine which software development items are related to each other. Implicit query can be implemented in a software development context. A graph browser can present panes showing related items.

Claims

1. One or more computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions for performing a method comprising:

in a first pane for a node, presenting a representation of the node and one or more links from the node to other nodes adjacent to the node in a graph data structure; and

responsive to activation of one of the links from the node to a selected node, presenting in a second pane adjacent to the first, a representation of the node for the activated link and one or more links from the node for the activated link to other nodes adjacent to the node for the activated link in the graph data structure.

2. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 1 wherein:

in the second pane, the one or more links from the node for the activated link to other nodes comprise a link to the node of the first pane.

3. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 1 wherein:

the graph data structure represents software items.

4. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 3 wherein:

wherein at least one of the software items represented comprises at least one developer.

5. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 1 wherein:

the graph data structure links two nodes representing items mentioned in a same email to a same node.

6. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 1 wherein:

the presenting presents links for all adjacent nodes.

7. The one or more computer-readable media of claim 1 further comprising:

upon reaching a threshold number of panes, shifting the panes and discarding at least one of the panes.

8. An executable graph browser comprising:

a first pane operable to present a representation of a node and one or more activatable representations of other nodes adjacent to the node in a graph data structure; and

a second pane adjacent to the first and operable to present a representation of a node represented by an activated one of the activatable representations and one or more activatable representations of other nodes adjacent, in the graph data structure, to the node represented by the activated activatable representation.

9. The executable graph browser of claim 8 comprising one or more additional panes operable to present a representation of additional nodes in an adjacent pane upon activation.

10. The executable graph browser of claim 8 wherein the activatable representations represent a node via a node name.

11. The executable graph browser of claim 8 wherein panes are reduced to stackable panelets when an upper limit on a number of panes is reached.

12. The executable graph browser of claim 8 wherein the graph represents a source of at least one mention of a software development item in plain text.

13. The executable graph browser of claim 8 wherein:

in the second pane, the one or more activatable representations of other nodes comprise an activatable representation of the node of the first pane.

14. The executable graph browser of claim 8 wherein the nodes represent software development items.

15. A computer-implemented method comprising:

detecting that a user is viewing information related to a software development item in a software development tool;

responsive to detecting that the user is viewing the information, performing a search for information on the software development item extrinsic to the software development tool; and

presenting results of the search.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 15 wherein the results are presented in a sidebar outside of the software development tool.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 15 wherein the detecting monitors activity inside a bug tracking tool.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 15 wherein the detecting monitors activity inside a source code management tool.

19. The computer-implemented method of claim 15 wherein the results comprise at least one reference to a mention of the software development item in one or more plaintext items.

20. The computer-implemented method of claim 15 wherein the results comprise at least one reference to a mention of the software development item in one or more emails.