The role of another spatial dimension in software visualization

The pr]mary objective of this article is to demonstrate the use of 3D-computer graphics m visualizing shapeless software information by focusing on performance monitormg of parallel/concurrent computer systems. Issues are addressed from two different perspectives. expressiveness of output media and user cognition The former describes the limitations of 2D output media. The latter refers to a user’s cognitive load when us]ng 2D representations in a multlple-window environment. We show how these problems can be minim]zed by using a 3D framework A prototype vlsuabzation system called VOGUE has been developed A 3D framework is used to visualize the execution pattern of two parallel,’concurrent computer systems an electrlc power control system and a parallel mampulator system Thrmgb these visuahzations, we show the effectiveness of our framework The apphcations of 3D frameworks to other kinds of software reformation are also described.

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