Software Design Visualization

The problems associated with analyzing large and complex software systems are well documented; it is often beyond a developer's ability to comprehend the system-level information for analysis and verification purposes. A common need is the ability to visualize the functional composition of a system and drill down to specific aspects of behavior through quick and efficient navigation. However, current software visualization tools, which rely on 2-D static models, are insufficient for supporting a real immersive experience of a system design and its behavior. The association between visualization techniques and abstraction of a software design in terms of functional models is a key to improving visualizations of complex design. This association capability will be offered through a visualization tool to be developed by SimVentions called Graphical Abstract Representation of Design (GARD), which uses Base Object Models (BOMs) to support the functional model mapping. SimVentions will develop GARD to address the issue of scalability through content rich 2-D/3-D environments in which a user may fully navigate visually across a hierarchy of BOMs representing the system. This environment will allow a developer to understand a wide breadth of aspects, such as timing, fault tolerance, reliability, security, and traceability before, during, and after execution.