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Assessing the comprehension of UML class diagrams via eye tracking, in:
- Tonella (Eds.), Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Program Comprehension, IEEE
, 2007
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A pattern based approach for constructing enterprise architecture management information models
- Universitätsverlag Karlsruhe
, 2007
"... This paper sketches an approach to designing organization-specific information models for En-terprise Architecture (EA) Management based on patterns. Thus we intend to support the con-struction of EA Management information models in research and practice, a field we view in need of approaches to man ..."
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Cited by 20 (14 self)
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This paper sketches an approach to designing organization-specific information models for En-terprise Architecture (EA) Management based on patterns. Thus we intend to support the con-struction of EA Management information models in research and practice, a field we view in need of approaches to manage the complexity of such models. Contributing to this complexity are the wide spread domains (e.g. processes, technical architec-
A comparison of User-Generated and automatic graph layouts
- IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics
"... Abstract—The research presented in this paper compares user-generated and automatic graph layouts. Following the methods suggested by van Ham et al. (2008), a group of users generated graph layouts using both multi-touch interaction on a tabletop display and mouse interaction on a desktop computer. ..."
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Abstract—The research presented in this paper compares user-generated and automatic graph layouts. Following the methods suggested by van Ham et al. (2008), a group of users generated graph layouts using both multi-touch interaction on a tabletop display and mouse interaction on a desktop computer. Users were asked to optimize their layout for aesthetics and analytical tasks with a social network. We discuss characteristics of the user-generated layouts and interaction methods employed by users in this process. We then report on a web-based study to compare these layouts with the output of popular automatic layout algorithms. Our results demonstrate that the best of the user-generated layouts performed as well as or better than the physics-based layout. Orthogonal and circular automatic layouts were found to be considerably less effective than either the physics-based layout or the best of the user-generated layouts. We highlight several attributes of the various layouts that led to high accuracy and improved task completion time, as well as aspects in which traditional automatic layout methods were unsuccessful for our tasks. Index Terms—Graph layout, network layout, automatic layout algorithms, user-generated layout, graph-drawing aesthetics. 1
Aesthetics of Class Diagrams
- In Proceedings of the First IEEE International Workshop on Visualizing Software for Understanding and Analysis
, 2002
"... Visualization of object-oriented programs by class diagrams is a widely used technique. So far no commonly agreed aesthetic criteria have been recorded in order to standardize and measure the quality of class diagrams. In this paper we focus on UML class diagrams, the standard notation for class dia ..."
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Cited by 18 (3 self)
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Visualization of object-oriented programs by class diagrams is a widely used technique. So far no commonly agreed aesthetic criteria have been recorded in order to standardize and measure the quality of class diagrams. In this paper we focus on UML class diagrams, the standard notation for class diagrams in software engineering. We propose some aesthetic criteria which reflect the highly sophisticated features of UML class diagrams, a layout algorithm which respects all these features and an implementation of a graph drawing framework which is able to produce drawings according to these criteria.
On Evaluating the Layout of UML Class Diagrams for Program Comprehension
, 2005
"... UML class diagrams are helpful for understanding the structure of a software system. Algorithms and tools have been developed to generate UML class diagrams automatically for program understanding purposes. However, many tools often ignore perceptual factors in the layout of these diagrams. Therefor ..."
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Cited by 18 (0 self)
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UML class diagrams are helpful for understanding the structure of a software system. Algorithms and tools have been developed to generate UML class diagrams automatically for program understanding purposes. However, many tools often ignore perceptual factors in the layout of these diagrams. Therefore, users still have to spend much time and effort rearranging boxes and lines to make the diagram understandable. This paper presents key criteria and guidelines for the effective layout of UML class diagrams from the perspective of perceptual theories. Two UML tools have been analyzed and evaluated to illustrate how the criteria can be applied to improve the readability of class diagrams.
A Topology-Shape-Metrics Approach for the Automatic Layout of UML Class Diagrams
"... Class diagrams are among the most popular visualizations for object oriented software systems and have a broad range of applications. In many settings it is desirable that the placement of the diagram elements is determined automatically, especially when the diagrams are generated automatically whic ..."
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Cited by 17 (0 self)
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Class diagrams are among the most popular visualizations for object oriented software systems and have a broad range of applications. In many settings it is desirable that the placement of the diagram elements is determined automatically, especially when the diagrams are generated automatically which is usually the case in reverse engineering. For this reason the automatic layout of class diagram gained importance in the last years. Current approaches for the automatic layout of class diagrams are based on the hierarchic graph drawing paradigm. These algorithms produce good results for class diagrams with large and deep structural information, i.e., diagrams with a large and deep inheritance hierarchy. However, they do not perform satisfactorily in absence of this information. We propose in this work a new algorithm for automatic layout of class diagram which is based on the topology-shape-metrics approach. The algorithm is an adaption of sophisticated graph drawing algorithms which have proven their effectiveness in many applications. The algorithm works as well for class diagrams with rich structural information as for class diagrams with few or no structural information. It improves therefore the existing algorithms significantly. An implementation of the algorithm is used in the reverse engineering tool JarInspector.
The Aesthetics of Graph Visualization
, 2007
"... The discipline of graph visualization produces pictorial representations of node–link structures. Much effort has been directed toward making such diagrams visually pleasing. A variety of aesthetic heuristics have been proposed, with the assumption that these will improve readability and understandi ..."
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Cited by 17 (0 self)
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The discipline of graph visualization produces pictorial representations of node–link structures. Much effort has been directed toward making such diagrams visually pleasing. A variety of aesthetic heuristics have been proposed, with the assumption that these will improve readability and understanding. We look at a perceptual basis for these heuristics, including Gestalt principles and Norman’s emotional design framework. Next, we review the work to date on aesthetic heuristics and examine what has been done to evaluate these heuristics. We summarize this in a framework that outlines graph drawing heuristics, their perceptual basis, and evaluation status.
Statechart Development Beyond WYSIWYG
- In Proceedings of the ACM/IEEE 10th International Conference on Model Driven Engineering Languages and Systems (MODELS’07
, 2007
"... Abstract. Modeling systems based on semi-formal graphical formalisms, such as Statecharts, have become standard practice in the design of reactive embedded devices. Statecharts are often more intuitively understandable than equivalent textual descriptions, and their animated simulation can help to v ..."
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Abstract. Modeling systems based on semi-formal graphical formalisms, such as Statecharts, have become standard practice in the design of reactive embedded devices. Statecharts are often more intuitively understandable than equivalent textual descriptions, and their animated simulation can help to visualize complex behaviors. However, in terms of editing speed, project management, and meta-modeling, textual descriptions have advantages. As alternative to the standard WYSIWYG editing paradigm, we present an approach that is also graphical but oriented on the underlying structure of the system under development, and another approach based on a textual, dialect-independent Statechart description language. These approaches have been implemented in a prototypical modeling tool, which encompasses automatic Statechart layout. An empirical study on the usability and practicability of our Statechart editing techniques, including a Statechart layout comparison, indicates significant performance improvements in terms of editing speed and model comprehension compared to traditional modeling approaches. 1
An Eye Tracking Study on the Effects of Layout in Understanding the Role of Design Patterns
"... Abstract—The effect of layout in the comprehension of design pattern roles in UML class diagrams is assessed. This work replicates and extends a previous study using questionnaires but uses an eye tracker to gather additional data. The purpose of the replication is to gather more insight into the ey ..."
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Cited by 7 (0 self)
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Abstract—The effect of layout in the comprehension of design pattern roles in UML class diagrams is assessed. This work replicates and extends a previous study using questionnaires but uses an eye tracker to gather additional data. The purpose of the replication is to gather more insight into the eye gaze behavior not evident from questionnaire-based methods. Similarities and differences between the studies are presented. Four design patterns are examined in two layout schemes in the context of three open source systems. Fifteen participants answered a series of eight design pattern role detection questions. Results show a significant improvement in role detection accuracy and visual effort with a certain layout for the Strategy and Observer patterns and a significant improvement in role detection time for all four patterns. Eye gaze data indicates classes participating in a design pattern act like visual beacons when they are in close physical proximity and follow the canonical layout, even though they violate some general graph aesthetics. Keywords-eye-tracking study; UML class diagram layout; design pattern roles I.
The Effect of Layout on the Comprehension of UML Class Diagrams: A Controlled Experiment
"... The results of a controlled experiment assessing the effects of different layout strategies on the comprehension of UML class diagrams of two software systems is presented. Six different categories of software comprehension tasks, with varying degrees of difficulty, are used to assess the layouts. E ..."
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Cited by 6 (2 self)
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The results of a controlled experiment assessing the effects of different layout strategies on the comprehension of UML class diagrams of two software systems is presented. Six different categories of software comprehension tasks, with varying degrees of difficulty, are used to assess the layouts. Each task consists of several questions aimed at measuring the comprehensibility of a layout. The study involved 45 participants of varied experience in software design and programming ability. A report on the quantitative analysis of accuracy, speed, confidence level and preference of solving the tasks is given. Results indicate that clustered layouts demonstrate significant improvement in subject accuracy and speed in solving the problems in a majority of tasks. 1.
