Query by outlines: a new paradigm to help manage programs

ABSTRACT

We propose a new paradigm to query information about programs, namely query by outlines. This paradigm relies on an outlining model that conceptually describe units of code according to the computations they perform. Outlines are automatically constructed by our system PRISME for C and Lisp programs. Currently, both our model and our system are restricted to loops.QBO is a prototype tool that implements the query by outline paradigm. It proposes to browse the loops of a program directly through their outline, and allows to restrict these loops to browse with queries expressed as constraints on the outlines. Thus it enables to answer questions such as "where is this variable modified?", "where is this kind of computation performed?", or "are there many places where this computation is performed?".In this paper, we sketch our outlining model, introduce QBO and argue that query by outline is a helpful paradigm to manage programs.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.6 MANAGEMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
      K.6.3 Software Management
          Subjects: Software development

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
      D.2.7 Distribution, Maintenance, and Enhancement
          Subjects: Restructuring, reverse engineering, and reengineering

General Terms:
Design, Performance, Theory