Method and system for presenting data structures graphically

• US 6,373,484 B1
• Filed: 01/21/1999
• Issued: 04/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Orell, Dror, Zernick, Dror, Karni, Zachi, Ur, Shmuel
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Mark
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Kimbinh T.
• Application Number:
  US09/234,461
• Time in Patent Office: 1,181 Days
• Field of Search: 717/3, 714/100, 345/418, 345/420, 345/763, 345/853, 345/440, 700/1, 712/11
• US Class Current: 345/420
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/206 Drawing of charts or graphs

Abstract

A computer-implemented method and system for graphically displaying at least two edges extending between common points in a graphical structure. A particular implementation relates to the display of execution paths of a computer program component having multiple execution paths so as to allow proper differentiation between the execution paths. The computer program component is processed so as to derive a data structure containing nodes representing all basic blocks thereof, edges representing lines connecting the nodes, and execution paths traversed during operation of the computer program, component. The resulting data structure is displayed graphically in 3-D. In order to allow the execution paths to be distinguished when they pass along the same edge of the graph, different sections of the edge are color coded. This can be done by spatially separating the edges and coloring each edge uniquely; or by dividing each edge into different colored sections in respect of each execution path. Alternatively, there can be superimposed on each edge one or markers each corresponding to a different execution path and each having a unique color.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for displaying data representative of at least two edges branching between a pair of nodes so as to allow the edges to be separately identifiable, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) assigning different display attributes to the edges so that the edges can be visually distinguished, and

(b) displaying said data structure graphically in 3-D.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the edges are representative of segments of execution paths in a computer program component, and prior to step (a) there is included the step of:

(i) processing the computer program component so as to derive a data structure containing said nodes being representative of all basic blocks thereof, said edges representing lines connecting said nodes, and said execution paths being traversed during operation of the computer program component.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of assigning different display attributes to the edges comprises:

(i) associating a unique display attribute with each edge, and

(ii) spatially separating the edges.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of assigning different display attributes to the edges comprises:

(i) dividing each edge into a plurality of sections each corresponding to a different edge collection, and

(ii) associating a unique display attribute with each section.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of assigning different display attributes to the edges comprises:

(i) superimposing on each edge a plurality of markers each corresponding to a different edge collection and each having a unique display attribute.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the display attributes are different colors.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the display attributes are different shades.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of assigning different display attributes to the edges comprises:

(i) superimposing on each edge a marker divided into a plurality of sections each corresponding to a different edge collection and each having a unique display attribute.

9. The method according to claim 2, wherein the step of assigning different display attributes to the edges comprises:

(i) dividing each edge into a plurality of sections each corresponding to a different edge collection, and

(ii) associating a unique display attribute with each section.

10. The method according to claim 2, wherein the step of assigning different display attributes to the edges comprises:

(i) superimposing on each edge a plurality of markers each corresponding to a different edge collection and each having a unique display attribute.

11. The method according to claim 2, wherein the display attributes are different colors.

12. The method according to claim 2, wherein the display attributes are different shades.

13. The method according to claim 2, wherein the step of assigning different display attributes to the edges comprises:

(i) superimposing on each edge a marker divided into a plurality of sections each corresponding to a different edge collection and each having a unique display attribute.

14. A computer system for displaying data representative of at least two edges branching between a pair of nodes so as to allow the edges to be separately identifiable, the system comprising:

an attribute assignment unit for assigning different display attributes to the edges so that the edges can be visually distinguished, and

a display device for displaying said data structure graphically in 3-D.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the attribute assignment unit includes:

a Data Collection Module for processing the data so as to derive trace information, and

a Control Graph Management Module for processing the trace information so as to derive multiple edge collections between adjacent nodes;

a display attribute assignment unit for assigning distinct display attributes to each edge of said edge collections according to a predetermined scheme.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the edges are representative of segments of execution paths in a computer program component and the display attribute assignment unit further includes:

a Path Management Module coupled to the Control Graph Management Module for assigning said distinct display attributes to each edge of said edge collections.

17. The system according to claim 15, wherein the attribute assignment unit is adapted to:

(i) associate a unique display attribute with each edge, and

(ii) spatially separate the edges.

18. The system according to claim 15, wherein the display attribute assignment unit is adapted to:

(i) divide each edge into a plurality of sections each corresponding to a different edge collection, and

(ii) associate a unique display attribute with each section.

19. The system according to claim 15, wherein the display attribute assignment unit is adapted to:

(i) superimpose on each edge a plurality of markers each corresponding to a different edge collection and each having a unique display attribute.

20. The system according to claim 15, wherein the display attribute assignment unit is adapted to:

(i) superimpose on each edge a marker divided into a plurality of sections each corresponding to a different edge collection and each having a unique display attribute.

21. The system according to claim 14, wherein the display attributes are different colors.

22. The system according to claim 14, wherein the display attributes are different shades.

23. The system according to claim 16, wherein the attribute assignment unit is adapted to:

(i) associate a unique display attribute with each edge, and

(ii) spatially separate the edges.

24. The system according to claim 16, wherein the attribute assignment unit is adapted to:

(i) divide each edge into a plurality of sections each corresponding to a different edge collection, and

(ii) associate a unique display attribute with each section.

25. The system according to claim 16, wherein the attribute assignment unit is adapted to:

(i) superimpose on each edge a plurality of markers each corresponding to a different edge collection and each having a unique display attribute.

26. The system according to claim 16, wherein the attribute assignment unit is adapted to:

(ii) superimpose on each edge a marker divided into a plurality of sections each corresponding to a different edge collection and each having a unique display attribute.

27. The system according to claim 16, wherein the display attributes are different colors.

28. The system according to claim 16, wherein the display attributes are different shades.