New Visualization and Debugging Technology for One-Way, Dataflow Constraints

[9970958] Vander Zanden, Brad T.田纳西大学knoxville标题：单向数据流约束的新调试技术单向数据流约束是类似电子表格的约束，在各种应用中都有使用，包括图形界面、编程环境和电路仿真。然而，有相当多的证据表明单向约束很难调试。研究的重点是开发一些技术来缓解这个问题，包括：1)可视化技术，允许程序员检查约束系统中的信息流；2)增量调试技术，允许程序员单步完成约束求解过程；3)基于解释的技术，允许调试器在求解过程中记录重要事件，然后分析这些事件，帮助程序员确定bug的来源。更好的调试和可视化技术将带来许多显著的好处，包括约束用户之间更高的生产力，应用程序更高的可靠性，以及研究和电子表格社区之外对约束的更大接受度。

9970958 Vander Zanden, Brad T. University of Tennessee KnoxvilleTitle: New Debugging Techniques for One-Way, Dataflow ConstraintsOne-way, dataflow constraints are spreadsheet-like constraints that have found uses in a variety of applications, including graphical interfaces, programming environments, and circuit simulation. However, there is considerable evidence that one-way constraints are difficult to debug. The research focuses on developing a number of techniques to alleviate this problem, including: 1) Visualization techniques that allow programmers to examine the flow of information through the constraint system, 2) Incremental debugging techniques that will allow programmers to single-step through the constraint solving process, and 3) Explanation-based techniques that will allow the debugger to record significant events during the solving process and then analyze these events to help the programmer pinpoint the source of a bug. Better debugging and visualization techniques will have a number of significant benefits, including greater productivity among constraint users, greater reliability for applications, and greater acceptance for constraints outside the research and spreadsheet communities.