Extended Reality Codebase Visualization for Software Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Complex software applications with intricate structures and dynamic behaviors pose challenges in testing and analysis, as traditional methods require detailed, often non-intuitive code examinations and manual correlation of various software aspects, leading to inefficiencies and resource wastage.

Innovation Solution

An immersive application platform generates an extended reality rendered view of a live graphical model of a codebase, allowing users to intuitively visualize dynamic execution traces, hotspots, and code metrics, enabling rapid software development and debugging through an extended reality device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional code examination methods are used to analyze software test results, then detailed code-level analysis can be performed, but the process becomes non-intuitive and directionless for complex software applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecode analysis precisionVSAvoidanalysis intuitiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the analysis from traditional 2D text-based code examination to a 3D immersive virtual environment where software components are spatially represented. This dimensional change allows analysts to intuitively navigate and understand complex software structures through spatial relationships rather than linear text scanning, resolving the contradiction between precision and intuitiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary virtual representation layer between the actual code and the analyst. This virtual model acts as a mediator that translates complex code relationships into intuitive spatial visualizations, allowing precise code analysis while maintaining ease of operation through natural spatial interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If manual tasks are used to correlate software aspects such as code quality and complexity, then detailed analysis can be performed, but the process becomes time-consuming and resource-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoftware metrics analysisVSAvoidanalysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automated instrumentation that inserts code into the software application to automatically generate and track execution data. This self-service mechanism continuously collects software metrics without manual intervention, providing precise measurements while eliminating the time loss associated with manual data collection and correlation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes continuous automated monitoring and tracking of software execution through instrumentation. This continuous action provides ongoing precise measurements of code quality and complexity metrics without the intermittent time loss of manual analysis tasks, maintaining uninterrupted data collection and analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If detailed code examinations are performed to understand test failures, then accurate problem identification can be achieved, but the process becomes non-intuitive and may become directionless

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetest failure analysis accuracyVSAvoidanalysis system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the complexity issue by transitioning from 2D text-based code examination to a 3D virtual representation where test failures and code relationships are visualized spatially. This dimensional transformation maintains analysis accuracy while reducing perceived complexity through intuitive spatial navigation and visualization of failure contexts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different testing tools are used to analyze various software aspects, then comprehensive coverage can be achieved, but the process requires manual execution and understanding of each tool

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoftware analysis coverageVSAvoidtool operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple testing and analysis tools into a unified virtual environment. By combining instrumentation, test execution, and analysis capabilities within a single immersive platform, it achieves comprehensive software analysis coverage while simplifying operation through a unified interface rather than requiring manual coordination of multiple separate tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3528126B1Representing a test execution of a software application using extended reality
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 ACCENTURE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS LTD
  • EP3528126B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3528126B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3528126B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

A device may instrument a codebase associated with a software application. The device may execute a test on the instrumented codebase as the instrumented codebase executes, wherein the instrumented codebase generates test data based on the test being executed. The device may generate, based on the test data, a live graphical model of the codebase from a composite graphical model of the codebase, wherein the composite graphical model includes historical information, associated with the codebase, mapped to a graphical model of the codebase. The device may generate an extended reality rendered view of the live graphical model. The device may provide, to an extended reality device, the extended reality rendered view of the live graphical model for display by the extended reality device.