How Programmers can Turn Comments into Waypoints for Code Navigation
M.-A. Storey, L.-T. Cheng, Janice Singer, Michael J. Muller, Del Myers, Jody Ryall · Proceedings/Proceedings - Conference on Software Maintenance · 2007
We have developed a new approach for software navigation called TagSEA (Tagging of Software Engineering Activities). TagSEA combines the notion of "waypointing" with "social tagging" to support programmers in defining navigational structures over a software system. In this paper we present the results from a case study series, conducted with professional programmers, that demonstrates how this tool supports navigation and under what circumstances. We conclude with insights into user-definable navigational structures, and how they can support software maintenance more effectively.