Visual Trace UI for Semantic Correlation Debugging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional approaches fail to effectively convey semantic correlations between different representations of functionality, such as source code and generated code, leading to difficulties in understanding relationships and debugging processes, as they rely on generic constructs that do not preserve higher-level attributes specific to individual programming paradigms.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented where a computing device displays a user interface showing visual cues to identify correlations between semantic constructs in different representations of functionality, using a hierarchical scope to provide semantic completeness, and allowing filtering to focus on relevant information, enabling users to navigate and understand relationships between semantic constructs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional approaches use generic constructs to represent functionality, then device complexity is reduced, but semantic completeness and ability to preserve higher-level attributes are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the representation of functionality into hierarchical semantic constructs (statements, expressions, blocks, requirements) rather than using generic flat constructs. Each semantic construct preserves specific paradigm attributes while organizing information hierarchically, thus reducing complexity loss without sacrificing semantic completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a hierarchical dimension to the representation by organizing semantic constructs into multiple levels (parent-child relationships, nesting). This dimensional transformation allows preservation of higher-level attributes while maintaining manageable complexity through structured organization.
2Ease of operation
If visual cues are added to show correlations between semantic constructs, then understanding of relationships is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-coded visual cues (highlighting, background colors, text colors) to indicate correlations between semantic constructs across different representations. This visual encoding method conveys relationship information intuitively without adding complex interface elements, thus improving ease of understanding while minimizing interface complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces visual trace elements as intermediaries that connect semantic constructs across representations. These trace elements act as visual mediators that show correlations without requiring complex interface interactions, simplifying the user's understanding of relationships.
3Loss of information
If hierarchical scope is used to provide semantic completeness, then semantic granularity is preserved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-processing representations to identify and organize semantic constructs into hierarchical scopes before correlation analysis. This pre-organization of semantic information reduces the complexity of subsequent processing by having the hierarchical structure already established, making the overall system more efficient despite the added semantic granularity.
Data Source
AI summary
A user interface may display visual traces between semantic constructs in representations of functionality. The representations of functionality may include textual programming language code, graphical programming language code, graphical or textual models, and/or text. The visual trace enables a party to visually review the correlations between the semantic constructs. The visual trace may include unique visual cues for distinguishing a degree of nesting of programming language constructs. For example, each successive level of nesting of a programming language construct may be associated with a different shade of a color. The user interface may be interactive and provide real-time feedback based upon actions of a party. The system determines what semantic constructs are to be visually distinguished on the user interface based on the location of an action and based on the hierarchy of semantic constructs and correlations.