Elsa L Gunter

US Patent:

20010011370, Aug 2, 2001

Filed:

Sep 3, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/146865

Inventors:

ELSA L. GUNTER - PHILADELPHIA PA, US
DORON A. PELED - GILLETTE NJ, US

International Classification:

G06F009/44

US Classification:

717/004000

Abstract:

A method for visualizing and testing a sequence of a software code that includes instructions relating to assignment of variables, and decision branches. The method comprises the steps of generating a plurality of nodes, edges and text indications that correspond to the instructions in the software code. A plurality of pointers are then generated to associate the location of at least one line of the software code to at least one of the generated nodes. The pointers may also associate the location of a line in the software code to at least one of the generated edges. The method then displays a flow chart representing the generated nodes, and edges and text indications, so that the software code can be visualized. When a user selects a node or an edge in the displayed flow chart, a corresponding portion of the software code is also identified. In accordance with another embodiment, a portion of the software code defining an execution path is selected, and the system then calculates the logically most general condition for the possible execution of the selected path. In accordance with other embodiments, the path may be selected by a user, who highlights the nodes and/or edges along the displayed flow chart to calculate the conditions that allow the execution of the selected path, or by the system and the results of condition calculations are then presented to the user.