Scene: using scenario diagrams and active text for illustrating object-oriented programs

Scenario diagrams are a well-known notation for visualizing the message flow in object-oriented systems. Traditionally, they are used in the analysis and design phases of software development to prototype the expected behavior of a system. We show how they can be used in reverse for understanding and browsing existing software. We have implemented a tool called Scene (SCENario Environment) that automatically produces scenario diagrams for existing object-oriented systems. The tool makes extensive use of an active text framework providing the basis for various hypertext-like facilities. It allows the user to browse not only scenarios but also various kinds of associated documents, such as source code (method definitions and calls), class interfaces, class diagrams and call matrices.