Codeface 4+
See the Architecture of Code
Sebastian Fichtner
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- Free
- Offers In-App Purchases
Screenshots
Description
WHAT?
See the architecture of any codebase!
Codeface visualizes the internal composition, dependencies and quality metrics of code to help you understand, improve and monitor it.
IMPORTANT: If you have trouble with the setup, you may write to hello@codeface.io to get personal support.
This version is still an early and minimal stage of a grand future vision. It allows you to:
* See the hierarchical composition of any scope within your codebase
* See the essential dependencies between structural elements on every level: folders, files and code symbols
* See cyclic dependencies (in red) and where they are (artifacts with red borders)
* See the size (lines of code) of each structural element – by visual size as well as by number
* Inspect scopes at all levels – from folders down to properties (thanks to semantic zoom)
* Read the whole codebase along its control flow – from big picture to details (thanks to topological order, dependencies go mostly downwards and to the right)
* Filter all visualizations by a search term
* Save, open and share codebase files. You can load them quickly without an LSP server and even send them to people who have neither the project nor any LSP servers nor technical skills.
* Add support for languages beyond Swift by proving an LSP server
* Support the development of Codeface via an early bird subscription offer
WHY?
* Being able to switch from reading code to seeing architecture helps making better software faster.
* You understand legacy code, notice red flags, accelerate onboarding, automate documentation, anchor discussions and simply have fun.
* We love software architecture since 1993 and know how communication and quality require visualisation.
THE FUTURE:
* This journey is just beginning. There are loads of ideas and development directions to evolve Codeface.
* Imagine architectural suggestions, more layouts and metrics, real-time updates, a web dashboard, animated navigation and more.
* Be part of the journey and shape Codeface with your own big ideas and feedback: hello@codeface.io
Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/macapps/stdeula
What’s New
Version 1.5.7
Improved:
* The menu options to import codebases into the currently focused codebase file have moved to the File menu.
* The order in which code artifacts in cycles are laid out is better: more dependencies go in reading direction.
* The order of code symbol artifacts is better: When no better criteria applies, order reflects position in file.
* The order in which code artifacts are laid out is less random (varies less).
* The visualization layout is more balanced in certain parts.
(Technically speaking: Tree map splits around components and strongly connected components are now actually centered.)
Fixed:
* The hint when nothing matches the search filter did not appear immediately when it applied. This is fixed.
* The visualization sometimes blacked out and showed a loading spinner (due to a SwiftUI bug). This is fixed.
Ratings and Reviews
Promising, but not there yet
This is a very promising utility that stands to fill an important need -- visualizing large codebases at a higher level of abstraction.
It's not there yet -- a number of usability issues (too numerous to mention here).
If I were the developer, I'd do some Usability testing. Get a few developers on a screenshare, and watch and listen to them as they attempt to use it for the first time, and figure out what to do.
That'd be very revealing. And resisting the temptation to help them out along the way. Watching them struggle to do simple things would form an excellent "to do" list for the next version(s) of the app.
Big thanks to Sebastian for all the effort so far. We'll be keeping an eye on this, to see how it develops.
Developer Response ,
Hey DevDude3000, thanks for your feedback!
I’m really sorry the setup is still that difficult :( It always helps to have an account of the specific issues users run into! So feel free to send an email to hello @ codeface.io.
Anyways, I totally get where you and other users are coming from. Virtually all these usability challenges root in technical hurdles, and I’m working on overcoming them to make everything easier.
I’m also preparing a way to configure LSP servers directly in Codeface without LSPService, which is far from trivial for apps in the App Store, so it will take some time to get working.
Of course, this also means that significant new features are all on hold.
App Privacy
The developer, Sebastian Fichtner, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy.
Data Not Collected
The developer does not collect any data from this app.
Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More
Information
- Seller
- Sebastian Fichtner
- Size
- 2.4 MB
- Category
- Developer Tools
- Compatibility
-
- Mac
- Requires macOS 13.0 or later.
- Languages
-
English
- Age Rating
- 4+
- Copyright
- © Fichtner Flowtoolz 2023
- Price
- Free
- In-App Purchases
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- Early Bird $3.99