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Chapter 5 Summary
5.1 Summary
In this paper, we present a system called DIVINE which is 3D environment to
visualize the debugging information with metaphors. Metaphor is a way of presenting
a set of data, and different metaphors may reveal different aspects of data. We design
architecture for DIVINE to cope with maintenance problem in the future. A metaphor
is implemented as a plug-in module, allowing easy switching between several
metaphors. Such a design allows tool users to examine data structure in different ways,
therefore, providing the freedom to see other aspects of the examined debugging data.
5.2 Future works
There are several works need to be done in future. Our work presented in this
paper is independent of haptic equipments such as 3D data gloves and trackers, which
are used to get the position of a debuggee object and to move the location of camera
and cursor. With various input devices, DIVINE can provide metaphors allowing more
nature computer-human interaction.
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To design other metaphors is also important. For example, visualizing graph data
structure as nodes and edges is not a rule and not necessary. A useful metaphor is
determined by its usability.
Besides, we can add more communication actions between HILCADT and
DIVINE to support other interesting features. For example, we can record changes of a
designated data structure in a period of time and have metaphor visualize the data
structure in animation.