Dynamic Sequence Diagram Visualization for Log Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for visualizing log files in distributed and concurrent systems, such as sequence diagrams, overwhelm human viewers with excessive information, making it difficult to rapidly identify and understand complex control flows and interactions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that enhance log file visualization by using graphical icons, metadata, and user-selectable templates to represent events and relationships, allowing for domain-specific visual cues and customizable icon libraries to facilitate easier navigation and interpretation of sequence diagrams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional sequence diagrams are used to visualize log files from distributed systems, then comprehensive flow information is captured, but the amount of information becomes overwhelming and difficult for humans to decipher
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex sequence diagram information by introducing domain-specific templates that divide the visualization into structured regions (e.g., request flow regions, response flow regions, error handling regions). Each template organizes specific types of log events into standardized visual patterns, making the overwhelming information manageable and interpretable while preserving complete flow information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using different visual representations for different types of events within the sequence diagram. Domain-specific templates assign particular visual characteristics (icons, colors, layouts) to specific event types (e.g., API calls, database operations, errors), allowing humans to quickly identify and interpret different flow elements without being overwhelmed by uniform detailed information.
2Loss of information
If detailed interaction information is displayed in sequence diagrams, then complete system behavior is represented, but rapid identification of desired flows becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color changes and visual cues within domain-specific templates to highlight different types of interactions and flow states. By assigning distinctive visual characteristics to different event types and flow states, the system enables rapid identification of desired flows while maintaining complete interaction information in the detailed visualization.
3Loss of information
If multiple concurrent flows are visualized simultaneously, then comprehensive system behavior is captured, but the significance and meaning of information becomes difficult to decipher
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments multiple concurrent flows into distinct domain-specific template instances, each representing a specific type of interaction pattern. This segmentation allows the visualization to maintain multiple concurrent flows while reducing perceived complexity through standardized, recognizable templates that guide human interpretation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method and computer-readable storage devices for enhancing the presentation of structured log files. A system configured according to this disclosure can track events of a computing entity. The computing entity can be a state machine, a virtual machine, a thread, a process, a software component, or a hardware component. The computing entity can be any device that generates or contributes to an event log. The events can be tracked from at least one of a structured log file and a stream of event data, for example. The system can identify event types for the events. The system can identify relationships between the events, and generate a sequence diagram of the events. The sequence diagram can include visual indications of the relationships based on the event types. The system can further select an icon for each event from an event-specific icon directory based on event type.