A Framework for Visualizing Object-Oriented Systems

Abstract

This paper describes a new approach to visualizing program systems within the object-oriented paradigm. This approach is based on a T E X-like notation which has been extended and generalized for specifying graphical layout of arbitrary objects. The CLOS meta-level architecture is used to associate visualization and application objects. We propose several useful techniques such as indirect values, slot and method demons, and instance-specific metaobjects. Our techniques require no modifications to the systems which are selected for visualization. We demonstrate the feasibility of our approach using application domains such as CLOS debugging and constraint systems. 1 Introduction Although programming has mostly been done in textual terms users have always had a notion of visualizing their programs. Programs have been entered as lines of text but soon users started to indent their programs and also used comments for separating or emphasizing particular program parts. Tools were develop...