Computer Language Source Code Visualization

Abstract

The present invention creates visual depiction of implied delineation within the source code of programming and markup languages for the purpose of simplifying visual and manual navigation. The present invention can easily identify where commands start and stop, making the writing and debugging process much easier. It clearly defines nested containers in an intuitive way, which allows for quick, clear and easy analysis of source code. The user who employs source charting can easily identify structure and hierarchy and thereby efficiently debug source code and/or make any changes or modifications that are necessary. Those new to the containment concept will with one glance at a source chart be over the learning curve. Intermediate and advanced developers can more efficiently track down bugs and/or make modifications in even complex documents. These drawn containers are collapsible and expandable, further making the data easy to understand and navigate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hardware implemented computer program product executed by a processor to perform the method comprising:
 rendering a pictorial visualization of the structure formed by the arrangement of markup elements within a markup language resource,   wherein the visualization conveys parent and child relationships between markup language elements contained in the resource by adding visual indicators of element boundaries, wherein a visual indicator encompasses its element's syntax and contents,   and wherein a child element's visual indicator is distinguished from and contained within its parent element's visual indicator,   and wherein syntax and other textual contents is prevented from appearing between the parent element's visual indicator's left boundary and its child element's visual indicator's left boundary.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a visual indicator comprises a color shaded region, a child markup language element's color shaded region being surrounded by its parent markup language element's color shaded region. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a visual indicator comprises a border, a child markup language element's border being enclosed within its parent markup language element's border. 
     
     
         4 . A hardware implemented computer program product executed by a processor to perform the method comprising:
 rendering a pictorial visualization of the structure formed by the arrangement of code blocks within a computer program,   wherein the visualization conveys parent and child relationships between code blocks contained in the program by adding visual indicators of code block boundaries,   wherein a visual indicator encompasses its code block's syntax and contents,   and wherein a child code block's visual indicator is distinguished from and contained within its parent code block's visual indicator such that syntax and other textual contents is prevented from appearing between a parent code block's visual indicator's left boundary and its child code block's visual indicator's left boundary.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein a visual indicator comprises a color shaded region, a child code block's color shaded region being surrounded by its parent code block's color shaded region. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein a visual indicator comprises a border, a child code block's border being enclosed within its parent code block's border.