A Solar System Metaphor for 3D Visualisation of Object Oriented Software Metrics

Early detection of problems within a code base can save much effort and associated cost as time progresses. One method of performing routine assessment of code with a view to pre-emption of a decline in quality is to collect software metrics associated with code size and complexity. Despite the best efforts of the last decade to establish this type pf empirical analysis as best practice, it is not yet a standard activity in software production. One way of potentially increasing empirical analysis activity on this realm is to contemplate visualisation as a means to readily analyse either static or evolving code to perceive in real time suspected areas of risk within the code base. This paper presents a first attempt at 3D visualisation of software metrics by using a familiar metaphor to present empirical concepts.