Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


Rizkalle_Thesis.pdf (5.12 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Improving the Effectiveness of Software Visualization by Considering Developers’ Cognitive Behaviors and Psychological Principles

Rizkallah, Lane
http://orcid.org/0009-0005-6710-3594
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1681085611229498

Abstract Details

2023, Master of Computer Science, Miami University, Computer Science and Software Engineering.
Software visualization is a tool that helps reduce the cognitive load placed on users as they try to comprehend software programs, especially large-scale and complex systems. There are many types of visualization tools and methods to fit different tasks and needs of practitioners. A main challenge with the increase in available tools is the lack of rigorous evaluation. For software visualization to be useful it must not only be expressive, but effective. While some prior work provides criteria and methods for evaluating tools for effectiveness, none directly implement psychology into the evaluation process. In this work, we define effectiveness based on principles of psychology and cognitive behavior. We propose criteria and a framework for effective software visualization. We provide comparisons to other frameworks showing previous frameworks allow too much ambiguity and lack criteria for evaluation based on effectiveness. We will provide a taxonomy and high-level overview of software visualization tools and provide an evaluation of two general-purpose and two specific-purpose software visualization tools. The purpose, both in general and specific contexts, pertains to the software artifacts that are being visualized. The two general-purpose tools we evaluated were SHriMP and Sniff+ and the two specific-purpose tools were Imagix 4D and SeeSlice.
Hakam Alomari (Advisor)
Christopher Vendome (Committee Member)
Scott Campbell (Committee Member)
137 p.
Computer Science
Software visualization; program comprehension; effectiveness;

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Rizkallah, L. (2023). Improving the Effectiveness of Software Visualization by Considering Developers’ Cognitive Behaviors and Psychological Principles [Master's thesis, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1681085611229498

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Rizkallah, Lane. Improving the Effectiveness of Software Visualization by Considering Developers’ Cognitive Behaviors and Psychological Principles. 2023. Miami University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1681085611229498.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Rizkallah, Lane. "Improving the Effectiveness of Software Visualization by Considering Developers’ Cognitive Behaviors and Psychological Principles." Master's thesis, Miami University, 2023. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1681085611229498

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

miami1681085611229498
118
© 2023, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.