Visualizations of software changes are presented that complement existing visualizations of software structure. The principal metaphors are matrix views, cityscapes, bar and pie charts, data sheets and networks. Linked by selection mechanisms, multiple views are combined to form perspectives that both enable discovery of high-level structure in software change data and allow effective access to details of those data. Use of the views and perspectives is illustrated in two important contexts: understanding software change by exploration of software change data and management of software development.
Various graphical forms for displaying file and authorship data exist, the principal forms being matrix views, city scapes, bar and pie charts, and networks REF .
Visualizing Software Changes
IEEE Trans. Software Eng.
Computer Science