A tool for executable code complexity visualization

Automotive software is usually extremely complex and consists of numerous software modules. In order to increase the efficiency of programmers and software architects, the tools for code complexity visualization and analysis are being constantly developed and used. However, existing solutions are usually developed for a specific purpose and are often not sufficiently automated so they cannot be easily adapted to certain requirements in automotive software development. The tool for code complexity visualization presented in this paper is based on data obtained from software documentation and data from the corresponding map file obtained by the program build process. The tool displays the structure of software documentation and map file in form of graphs with appropriate nodes representing certain software components like modules. Since one graph is derived from program documentation and the other from the generated map file, the tool allows the comparison of graphs and an indication of potential differences between documentation and actual implementation. This way the tool can help in debugging process of complex automotive software. The functionalities of the tool are shown in three examples that represent possible use case scenarios.