Structure

Splitting a module based on usage by other modules

This is a scenario that I’ve been asked about by several Structure101 users. module C is used by 2 other modules A and B, and we’d like to split module C into 4 modules based on how classes are used … Read More

Fear the Ubergeek

Ubergeek is a strange and wonderful creature. He possesses supernatural powers for retaining vast swathes of detail in his head at one time. This makes him designed for coding, a priceless gem when you need to get version 1 of … Read More

The value of codebase structure

Most experienced engineers would accept that there are attributes of a code base under the heading of “structure” or “architecture”, that make a substantial difference to the ease of development. However, since there is some cost to improving these attributes, … Read More

Introducing Levelized Structure Maps (LSM)

Levelized Structure Maps (LSM) are a new, intuitive way to visualize and manipulate software systems. Using LSM, large-scale refactoring to remove dependency tangles and other over-complexity, becomes second nature. LSM are the core of Restructure101. Items in the LSM are levelized … Read MoreRead More

Holarchy 101

Herbert Simon’s parable of the watchmakers was constructed to convey his belief that complex systems will evolve from simple systems much more rapidly if there are stable intermediate forms present in that evolutionary process than if they are not present. … Read More

The parable of the two watchmakers

The parable of the two watchmakers was introduced by Nobel Prize winner Herbert Simon to describe the complex relationship of subsystems and their larger wholes. There once were two watchmakers, named Hora and Tempus, who made very fine watches. The … Read More

Beautiful Structure

In response to O’Reilly’s just-published Beautiful Code, Johnathan Edwards explains why he couldn’t go along with the premise. One sentence in his excellent piece stood out for me: “The human mind can not grasp the complexity of a moderately sized … Read More

DevX review of Structure101

"Getting your arms (and eyes) around large, complex code bases has never been easy, but Structure101 from Headway Software may just be the elegant solution to this age-old problem. Find out how this visual design tool analyzes your enterprise projects … Read MoreRead More

Complexity Debt – don’t “fix it”, “keep a lid on it”

So you just discovered that your code-base has racked up a whole load of complexity debt. This  maybe explains why progress seems so painfully slow lately. You briefly think of suggesting a major complexity-reducing refactoring effort. This will delay the … Read More

Structure101 v2 goes GA today

Additions let you see complete slices of a code-base at any level, home in on structural complexity, view dependency graphs in matrix form, and map code items and groups (like tangles) through different hierarchies, slices and perspectives (learn more or … Read More