Debugging Variable Name Format Conversion for Search Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Debugging complex application programs requires users to inspect and differentiate between numerous uppercase variable names, reducing readability and increasing resource costs due to the strain of managing multiple similar names.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that convert variable names to uppercase upon user selection during debugging, allowing for efficient searching in executable code, with options to display names in original, uppercase, camel case, lowercase, or a user-defined format, enhancing readability and simplifying the debugging process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If variable names are displayed in uppercase format during debugging, then searching for variables in executable code becomes efficient, but readability of variable names is reduced and user strain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the display format of variable names based on the user's selection. When a user selects a variable name, it is converted to uppercase for searching executable code; when deselected, it returns to the original format. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by allowing uppercase formatting only when needed for searching, maintaining readability otherwise.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the case parameter of variable names conditionally. The variable name format is altered from original case to uppercase only when selected for inspection, and reverted when not selected. This parameter change approach allows the system to optimize for searching efficiency only when necessary, rather than permanently degrading readability.
2Measurement precision
If multiple similar variable names are displayed in uppercase, then variable identification becomes difficult, but converting to uppercase enables accurate searching in executable code
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different display qualities to different variable names based on their selection state. Selected variable names are displayed in uppercase for accurate identification and searching, while unselected variables remain in their original format with better visual differentiation. This local quality approach allows accurate variable identification without uniformly degrading the readability of all variable names.
Solution Approach 2:
The display format of each variable name dynamically changes based on user interaction. When a user selects a specific variable name for inspection, only that variable converts to uppercase, while others maintain their original format. This dynamic, selective formatting resolves the contradiction by providing accurate identification only for the currently relevant variable.
3Ease of operation
If all variable names are permanently converted to uppercase, then searching executable code is simplified, but user strain and resource costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of converting all variable names to uppercase permanently, the system applies uppercase conversion only partially - specifically to the variable name that the user has selected for inspection. This partial action approach provides the searching efficiency benefit only when needed, rather than continuously exposing users to the strain of reading all uppercase variable names.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the formatting of variable names based on user selection rather than applying a static uppercase conversion to all variables. This dynamic approach reduces user strain by maintaining readable original formats for most variables while enabling efficient searching for the specific variable under inspection.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods consistent with the invention may include displaying, during debugging of source code having corresponding executable code, a screen including a first section, wherein a variable name included in the source code is displayed in a first format in the first section, receiving a user selection of the variable name, converting, by using a processor, the first format of the variable name to a second format in response to the received selection, wherein the variable name includes a plurality of characters and converting the first format of the variable name to the second format includes converting the characters to uppercase, searching for a corresponding variable name in the executable code, and displaying, on the display device, a second section including the corresponding variable name, wherein the variable name is displayed in a third format in the second section.