Class Diagram Hierarchy Diversion Indication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Class diagrams in Unified Modeling Language (UML) do not effectively indicate hierarchy diversion between parent and child classes, making it difficult for developers to visualize and understand the inheritance structure and similarity levels in software systems.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that calculates and displays a parent-child similarity value in class diagrams, indicating the level of similarity or divergence between parent and child classes by processing computer program code, using algorithms to evaluate function and variable changes, and presenting this information visually.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If traditional class diagrams are used to represent inheritance structure, then the basic hierarchy can be shown, but the similarity level between parent and child classes cannot be effectively indicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation about hierarchy diversionVSAvoidcomplexity of class diagram

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color coding to represent parent-child similarity values in class diagrams. Different color shades indicate different levels of similarity, allowing developers to quickly visualize hierarchy diversion without adding complex structural elements to the diagram.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a numerical similarity parameter (0-1 scale) to quantify the relationship between parent and child classes. This parameter is calculated based on shared attributes and methods, then displayed in the diagram to provide precise information about hierarchy diversion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If detailed information about parent-child relationships is provided, then understanding of inheritance structure is improved, but the diagram becomes more complex and harder to read

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation about inheritance structureVSAvoidease of reading class diagram

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies similarity indicators selectively to parent-child relationships that have significant diversion (below threshold). This local application approach provides detailed information where needed while keeping the diagram clean and readable where parent-child relationships are highly similar.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent calculates similarity for all parent-child relationships but only displays indicators for those below a threshold value. This partial display approach provides sufficient information for understanding inheritance structure while avoiding information overload that would complicate the diagram.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS8914771B2Indicating hierarchy diversion in a class diagram

Publication Date: 2014.12.16 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Indicating hierarchy diversion in a class diagram. A class inheritance structure for at least one parent class contained in computer program code can be identified to determine a class hierarchy corresponding to the parent class. For at least one child class in the class hierarchy that is a child of the parent class, a parent-child similarity value corresponding to a parent-child diversion of the child class from the parent class can be calculated via a processor. The class diagram can be generated. The class diagram can indicate at least the parent class, the child class and the parent-child similarity value. The class diagram can be presented.