Code histories: Documenting development by recording code influences and changes in code

Abstract

Developers frequently encounter challenges when working with large code bases found in modern software applications, from navigating through files to more complex tasks like understanding code histories, dependencies, and evolutions. While many applications use Version Control Systems (VCSs) to archive present-day programs and provide a historical perspective on code development, the level of detail they offer is often insufficient for in-depth analyses. As a result, it becomes difficult to fully explore the potential benefits of historical data in software development. We introduce an enhanced recording framework that integrates both the Visual Studio Code (VS Code) development environment and the Google Chrome web browser to capture more detailed development activities. Our framework is designed to offer additional recording options, thereby providing researchers with more opportunities to study how different historical resources can be utilized. Through an observational study, we demonstrate the utility of our framework in capturing the complex dynamics of code change activities, highlighting its potential value in both academic and practical contexts.