Automated Context-Specific Code Edit Repetition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Developers face the tedious and error-prone task of manually performing repetitive code edits, which are time-consuming and often require multiple commits due to the complexity of codebases, leading to inefficiencies in software development.

Innovation Solution

A computing system observes the series of states of code as it is modified and identifies repeated transformations, allowing it to offer automation of these edits to the developer, thereby reducing the need for manual intervention and streamlining the editing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If developers manually perform repetitive code edits, then they can maintain control and precision over each edit, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveedit accuracyVSAvoidediting time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs code edits by observing the developer's manual edits and autonomously applying the same transformations to other parts of the codebase, eliminating the need for continuous manual intervention while maintaining accuracy through pattern-based automation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system monitors the series of code states as the developer edits, identifies repeated transformation patterns, and uses this feedback to offer automated continuation of the same edit pattern to other code locations, improving both speed and consistency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If developers submit multiple commits to accomplish a single repetitive code edit task, then they can ensure correct application of edits, but the development process becomes fragmented and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveedit correctnessVSAvoiddevelopment efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides a universal solution that handles multiple code edit locations in a single automated operation, consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate commits into one unified transformation application across the entire codebase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines multiple separate edit operations into a single automated transformation sequence, merging what would be fragmented manual commits into one cohesive bulk update operation that maintains correctness while improving efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Extent of automation

If IDEs implement transformations for general-purpose repetitive edits, then common editing tasks are automated, but context-specific repetitive edits are not addressed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation coverageVSAvoidcontext-specific adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts to the specific context by observing the actual edit patterns of each developer in real-time, transforming static general-purpose rules into dynamic context-specific automation that responds to the unique editing patterns and codebase structure of each project

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If developers perform manual code edits, then they can handle complex code transformations, but the process is tedious and prone to human error

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling capabilityVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical manual editing process with automated computational transformation, substituting human manual operations with algorithmic pattern recognition and automated code manipulation that maintains complexity handling while eliminating manual labor and associated errors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10983813B2Automatic repetition of context-specific code edits

Publication Date: 2021.04.20 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Automatically identifying context-specific repeated transformations (such as repeated edit tasks) that are based on observation of the developer drafting or modifying code. As the developer modifies the code, the code passes through a series of states, one after the other. The computing system observes the series of states of the code. It is based on this observation that the computing system identifies repeated transformations of the code for potentially offering to continue performing the repeated transformations for the user. This alleviates the developer from having to manually perform the remainder of the repeated transformations.