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Presentation . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Presentation . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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Semantic Zoom and Mini-Maps for Software Cities @ SE 2026

Authors: Hansen, Malte; Bamberg, Jens; Baumann, Noe; Hasselbring, Wilhelm;

Semantic Zoom and Mini-Maps for Software Cities @ SE 2026

Abstract

Software visualization supports program comprehension by using visual metaphors that reduce textual complexity while helping developers mentally model the software. A key problem in software visualization research remains the adequate presentation of different amounts of data, that is, to achieve the desirable capability of visual scalability also for complex software systems. We present two approaches, namely semantic zoom and mini-maps, to address the challenge of visual scalability in 3D software cities. The approaches are made concrete in our web-based visualization tool, ExplorViz, which employs the city metaphor. For semantic zoom, the details and representation of elements in the software landscape are adjusted based on the virtual camera's distance from visual objects. For the mini-map, a two-dimensional top-view projection shows the essential information and structure of the software landscape in the user's proximit. Our approaches are evaluated in two different user studies. The studies indicate that both mini-maps and semantic zoom mechanisms are valuable additions to 3D software city visualizations.

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Keywords

software visualization, city metapho, semantic zoom, mini-map, program comprehension

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
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