Graph browser and implicit query for software development

• US 7,743,360 B2
• Filed: 07/05/2005
• Issued: 06/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Venolia, Gina D.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAVIS, JOHN Q
• Application Number:
  US11/175,570
• Publication Number:
  US 20070011649A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,813 Days
• Field of Search: 717/101
• US Class Current: 717/103
• 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 storage 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 presented in the first pane from the node to a selected node, presenting in a second pane adjacent to the first pane, 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;

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

wherein each of the first pane and the second pane further comprises a title of a node the pane represents and an additional description of a node the pane represents.

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

the graph data structure represents software items.

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

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

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

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

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

the presenting presents links for all adjacent nodes.

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

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

7. One or more computer-readable storage media having encoded thereon computer-executable instructions for implementing a 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 pane 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;

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; and

wherein each of the first pane and the second pane further comprises a title of a node the pane represents and an additional description of a node the pane represents.

8. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 7 comprising one or more additional panes operable to present a representation of additional nodes in an adjacent pane upon activation.

9. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 7 wherein the activatable representations represent a node via a node name.

10. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 7 wherein panes are reduced to stackable panelets when an upper limit on a number of panes is reached.

11. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 7 wherein the graph represents a source of at least one mention of a software development item in plain text.

12. The one or more computer-readable storage media of claim 7 wherein the nodes represent software development items.

13. 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.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 13 wherein the results are presented in a sidebar outside of the software development tool.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 13 wherein the detecting monitors activity inside a bug tracking tool.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 13 wherein the detecting monitors activity inside a source code management tool.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 13 wherein the results comprise at least one reference to a mention of the software development item in one or more plaintext items.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 13 wherein the results comprise at least one reference to a mention of the software development item in one or more emails.

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

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

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

upon reaching a threshold number of panes, reducing a pane to a stackable panelet adjacent to panes; and

upon activation of the stackable panelet, the stackable panelet is restored to original size and gains current focus as a pane from which additional links can be selected;

wherein the first pane comprises a title of the first node and an additional description of the first node, and the second pane comprises a title of the second node and an additional description of the second node.