Visual Inspection of Computational Geometry Code via Neutral Data Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy computational geometry code is difficult to understand and maintain due to its complexity and the lack of visualization tools for intermediate geometric data during debugging sessions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that convert legacy data-structures for geometric objects into neutral data-structures adaptable for visualization, allowing dynamic watching and playback of geometric changes through an inter-process communication channel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If descriptive names are given to variables and functions in scientific code, then code maintainability is improved, but code parseability and understandability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a visualization application as an intermediary between the legacy code and the developer. This mediator captures geometric data from the code execution and presents it through intuitive visual representations, allowing developers to understand complex code behavior without needing to parse or modify the code itself. The visualization layer acts as a bridge that translates abstract code operations into concrete visual insights.
2Ease of operation
If visualization tools are integrated into the debugger, then geometric data visualization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the visualization functionality into a separate, independent application rather than integrating it into the debugger. This segmentation allows the visualization capabilities to be developed, maintained, and enhanced independently from the debugging tools, reducing the complexity burden on the debugger while still providing comprehensive geometric data visualization capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
A separate visualization application serves as an intermediary that communicates with the legacy code through standardized interfaces. This mediator handles all visualization complexity externally, keeping the core debugging functionality simple and focused on execution control, while still enabling rich geometric data visualization.
3Ease of operation
If legacy code is modified to enable visualization, then geometric data visualization is improved, but code reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The visualization application acts as an intermediary that captures geometric data through controlled interfaces without requiring modifications to the legacy code's core logic. This approach maintains the original code's reliability and behavior while enabling visualization through the mediator's data capture and presentation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of modifying the legacy code, the system creates a visual copy or representation of the geometric data through the visualization application. This copy reflects the state and transformations of geometric objects without altering the original code, preserving code reliability while providing visual insights into code behavior.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a method and system of visually inspecting computational geometry code. The method may include converting a legacy data-structure for a geometric object into an associated neutral data-structure, wherein the neutral data-structure is adaptable to be visually rendered. The method may further include transferring the neutral data-structure to an inter-process communication channel, and rendering the geometric object corresponding to the neutral data-structure, upon fetching the neutral data-structure from the inter-process communication channel.