Inter-module code analysis using 3-dimensional interactive graphics

A display technique using interactive 3-D color graphics is presented, that is aimed at supporting inter-module code analysis by displaying the inter-connection graphs needed for inter-module code analysis. Inter-module code analysis is a process by which a programmer can analyse a program consisting of a collection of interconnected modules. By using 3-D space, some of the display problems that beset 2-D display techniques are overcome. Entities in the program source are represented with geometric objects. Interconnection relationships between entities are represented with color-coded arrows and the display of the inter-connection graph is interactively controlled by the user. In addition to standard changes in the 3-D viewing parameters that allow the user to move the viewpoint in 3-D space, the user can interactively reposition entities and select which entities are to be visible