CodeLin: An in situ visualization method for understanding data transformation scripts

IF 3.8 3区计算机科学 Q2 COMPUTER SCIENCE, INFORMATION SYSTEMS Visual Informatics Pub Date : 2025-03-19 DOI:10.1016/j.visinf.2025.03.002

Xiwen Cai , Kai Xiong , Zhongsu Luo , Di Weng , Shuainan Ye , Yingcai Wu

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Abstract

Understanding data transformation scripts is an essential task for data analysts who write code to process data. However, this can be challenging, especially when encountering unfamiliar scripts. Comments can help users understand data transformation code, but well-written comments are not always present. Visualization methods have been proposed to help analysts understand data transformations, but they generally require a separate view, which may distract users and entail efforts for connecting visualizations and code. In this work, we explore the use of in situ program visualization to help data analysts understand data transformation scripts. We present CodeLin, a new visualization method that combines word-sized glyphs for presenting transformation semantics and a lineage graph for presenting data lineage in an in situ manner. Through a use case, code pattern demonstrations, and a preliminary user study, we demonstrate the effectiveness and usability of CodeLin. We further discuss how visualization can help users understand data transformation code.

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CodeLin：一种用于理解数据转换脚本的现场可视化方法

理解数据转换脚本是编写代码来处理数据的数据分析师的基本任务。然而，这可能具有挑战性，特别是在遇到不熟悉的脚本时。注释可以帮助用户理解数据转换代码，但是编写良好的注释并不总是存在。已经提出可视化方法来帮助分析人员理解数据转换，但是它们通常需要一个单独的视图，这可能会分散用户的注意力，并且需要将可视化和代码连接起来。在这项工作中，我们探索了原位程序可视化的使用，以帮助数据分析师理解数据转换脚本。我们提出了CodeLin，这是一种新的可视化方法，它结合了字大小的符号来表示转换语义，并结合了一个谱系图来以原位方式表示数据谱系。通过用例、代码模式演示和初步的用户研究，我们演示了CodeLin的有效性和可用性。我们将进一步讨论可视化如何帮助用户理解数据转换代码。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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