Scenario-Based Browsing of Object-Oriented Systems

Kai Koskimies, Hanspeter Mössenböck
Johannes Kepler Universität Linz
Institute for Practical Computer Science
Altenbergerstraße 69, A-4040 Linz
moessenboeck@ssw.uni-linz.ac.at

Abstract

Scenario diagrams are a well-known notation for visualizing the message flow in object-oriented systems. Traditionally, they are used in the analysis and design phases of software development to prototype the expected dynamic behavior of a system. We show how they can be used reversely for understanding and browsing existing software. We have implemented a tool called Scene that automatically produces scenario diagrams for existing object-oriented systems. The tool makes extensive use of an active text framework providing the basis for various hypertext-like facilities. It allows the user to browse not only scenarios but also different kinds of associated documents, such as source code (method definitions and calls), class interfaces, class diagrams, and call matrices. In addition, Scene has some properties typical to high-level debuggers, program profilers, and program animators.

Report 4, University of Linz, Institute of Computer Science (System Software), August 1995.

You can download the report in compressed postscript.