A Visualization and Analysis tool for VCL Auto-generation Code Framework

Using a set of code templates, the Variable Configuration Language (VCL) framework is capable of automatically generating a full running web system from definitions of entities, properties, relationships, and system definitions. Existing development environments provide limited support for the development of code auto-generation features, and configuration of the auto-generated code itself. Herein a tool is presented that supports the VCL framework that aims to reduce development cost while also facilitating efficient learning of VCL and its auto-generation framework. In this work, the V ACVIS tool is developed to encourage exploration through the hierarchical structure of the VCL framework in a visual and interactive approach. Visualizations aid developers in understanding the framework during the development process, hence enhancing the auto-generation and maintenance of the systems produced with VCL. The tool developed is further enhanced and integrated into Visual Studio IDE as an extension.