A data-driven graphical toolkit for software visualization

In this paper we describe the MONNALISA graphical toolkit, a library of classes written in the VINCI language. VINCI is a multi-paradigm extension to C that combines declarative, imperative, and object-oriented specifications in a reactive framework. The library includes classes for visual, interactive, and layout objects, and arbitrarily complex compound objects can be created in terms of existing classes. MONNALISA is based on a data-driven approach, where graphical objects can depend upon the state of other objects, of a process memory image, or even of the underlying runtime environment. We present examples of how MONNALISA can be used for creating automatic interactive visualizations of different aspects of the dynamic behavior of a piece of software. © 2006 by the Association for Computing Machinery, Inc.