C++ code visualization

Question

A sort of follow up/related question to this.

I\'m trying to get a grip on a large code base that has hundreds and hundreds of classes and a large inheritance hierarchy.

Answer 1

Instead of going into the full Class Designer tool, just use the "Class View" or the "Object Browser" in Visual Studio - they present fully collapsible class heirarchies.

Answer 2

Try Source Insight it is possible to configure the depth of the generated graph in this tool.

See also C/C++ call-graph utility for Windows platform

Answer 3

For a reasonably priced commercial product, you may want to check out SolidSX from Vizlogix (www.vizlogix.com). (If you are outside of North America, go to SolidSource -- www.solidsourceit.com.)

It generates a radial diagram that can be collapsed and expanded. It also integrates with Visual Studio (both BSC and .NET).

Answer 4

Why not just do it manually, it is a great learning experience when starting to work with a large code base. I usually just look at what class inherits from what, and what class contain what instances, references or pointers to other classes. Have a piece of paper next to you and get drawing...

Answer 5

You can try CppDepend, it doesn't create a class hierarchy like Doxygen does but it can show 'the big picture' for your project, it also shows some code metrics.

Answer 6

Check out SourceNavigator, it's open source, works on a bunch of platforms and has a Hierarchy Browser, a Class Browser, a Cross-Reference Browser and more that will allow you navigate and understand the code.

I'm using it for some time now especially when I have new code to go through and understand.