软件执行路径的高层次可视化表示

DEVELOPING HIGHER LEVEL VIEWS OF EXECUTION PATHS

软件的主要特征信息，如功能性信息，常常隐藏在它的结构里面，仅仅分析软件系统的结构不足以揭示它们，只能在对软件的各条执行路径的确认过程中获得．对软件执行路径的分析是软件理解过程中一个必不可少的辅助手段，程序执行路径（ExecutionPath，EP）的概念和它在程序测试、排障（纠错）和理解等方面的用途是大家所知晓的并已有记录．本文给出一种系统性的方法，可根据从程序设计语言的说明规程产生的结构模型，自动导出软件的EP模型．该EP模型具有与软件的实现语言相对无关的特点．重点放在探索EP的各种高层次可视化表示方法以及这些方法的发展过程上．有关这些EP表示方法的某些应用，尤其在软件维护方面的应用，也做了讨论．

Analyzing the structure of a software system is not sufficient for under-standing the system's functionality. Certain characteristics of software are often hidden in its structure and can only be discovered when the various execution paths of the software are identified. Analysis of execution paths, therefore, becomes an Indispensable aid in software understanding. The concept of execution path and its usefulness in program testing, program debugging and program understanding is well known and has been documented. The focus of this paper is on exploring the various representations of the execution paths and how these representations can be developed. Some applications of these representations, particularly in the area of software maintenance, is discussed. A brief description of a system which imple-ments the representations discussed in this paper is also provided.