Project: Program Visualization using AVS/Express
Student Researchers: Elsa Wai Yan Tai, Lavada Thompson, Rachel Smith
Advisor: Dr. Brian J. d'Auriol
Institution: University of Texas at El Paso



The proposed project investigates the integration of scientific visualization tools and techniques with program visualization. Program visualization can be defined as the use of various graphical tools and techniques to enhance human understanding of computer programs. It is often about understanding how the program functions and processes input data. Scientific visualization is distinct from program visualization in that graphical tools and techniques are used to provide a better understanding of complex scientific results. This often allows for insight into scientific phenomenon. The proposed project is motivated by the advantages of integrating scientific visualization with program visualization. Some of the advantages include the use of mature scientific visualization tools and techniques, an understanding of such tools and techniques and provision of a new and different aspect on program visualization. In order to obtain a successful program visualization process, three steps are taken:
a) data collection
b) analysis
c) display of the results of the analysis.
AVS/Express (a well-known scientific visualization tool) is proposed as the particular scientific visualization software to support the proposed project. A three phase approach to the project investigation will be conducted:
a) literature search,
b) learning the AVS/Express software,
c) considering specific program visualizations using AVS/Express.