Structure Analysis Device for Module Hierarchy Similarity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large-scale systems, maintaining the hierarchical structure of modules is difficult due to deep nested conditional statements, leading to potential missed maintenance of similar parts, which complicates system upkeep.
Innovation Solution
A structure analysis device that analyzes modules with conditional statements to identify and notify similarities in hierarchical structures, aiding in the visualization and maintenance of complex program modules by creating a similarity notifier for target ranges with matching hierarchical patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If structured programming with nested conditional statements is used to organize large-scale systems, then the system can be divided into modular processing sections, but the hierarchical structure becomes deeply nested and difficult to figure out for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the deeply nested hierarchical structure into multiple levels of target ranges. Each target range represents a manageable subset of the program structure, allowing maintenance personnel to analyze and understand smaller portions independently rather than attempting to comprehend the entire deep hierarchy at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension for viewing program structure by creating target ranges that span across different hierarchical levels. This transforms the single-dimensional deep nesting problem into a multi-dimensional view where relationships between different levels can be analyzed systematically through overlapping target ranges.
2Adaptability or versatility
If deep hierarchical structures are used to implement complex logic, then functional requirements can be met, but similar parts may be missed during maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where target ranges are analyzed and compared to identify similar parts across different sections of the program. This feedback loop ensures that maintenance personnel can systematically detect similar functional patterns that might otherwise be missed in deep hierarchical structures, improving the completeness of maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The target range concept serves multiple functions: it can represent any portion of the program structure at any hierarchical level, enable comparison across different sections, and facilitate identification of similar patterns. This universal approach allows the same analysis method to be applied throughout the entire program regardless of its complexity.
3Loss of information
If manual analysis of hierarchical structures is performed to understand module functions, then structural understanding can be achieved, but the work becomes extremely difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary analysis by automatically generating target ranges and identifying similar parts before maintenance activities begin. This pre-processing step creates a structured overview of the program hierarchy and highlights similar sections, allowing maintenance personnel to start their work with valuable contextual information already prepared, significantly reducing the time required for structural analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
A structure analysis device comprises a storage means wherein modules are stored, and an analysis means for carrying out a structural analysis of a prescribed subject module of the modules which are stored in the storage means. If a hierarchical structure of a first subject range and a hierarchical structure of a second subject range of the subject module are the same, the analysis means creates similarity notification information in association with the first subject range and/or the second subject range. The first subject range and the second subject range are respectively different subject ranges of the subject ranges of the subject modules which are acquired from the storage means. The similarity notification information denotes that respectively similar subject ranges are present in the subject module.