Example Recommendation Based on Software Structure

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Example Recommendation Based on Software Structure
Reid Holmes, Gail Murphy Department of Computer
Science University of British Columbia
Scenario
Problem
A developer becomes stuck while working on a task.
A gap exists between the documentation available
for a framework and the tasks developers are
trying to accomplish with the framework.
Developers encounter these gaps as they work on
their tasks and become stuck trying to resolve
them. One of the best ways to become unstuck is
to look at source code created by developers in
the past. However, locating relevant source code
in a lightweight manner is difficult. Our aim is
to find an approach that will help developers
locate these relevant examples with a minimum of
effort. The lightweight stipulation encourages
developers to make use of the code of others.
They then can query the example repository based
on the structure of the code they have already
written.
The ten most structurally relevant examples can
be quickly viewed visually.
The rationale for an example being selected can
also be checked for applicability.
After an example is selected its code can be
requested to get the details of the
implementation for the example.
Relevant fragments can be integrated into the
developers context.
Further Information
Currently being investigated in more detail at
the University of Calgary with Rob
Walker. Updated information always available at
www.cs.ucalgary.ca/rtholmes/strathcona