Systems and methods for managing data associated with computer code

Abstract

Methods and arrangements to manage comment data that is associated with computer executable code are provided. Comment data associated with a line or lines of executable code can be stored, and a tag can be assigned to the comment data or the line(s) of code. When it is desired to locate information about lines of code, tags allow for an improved way to search for the desired lines of code. Thus, in response to a user query for information, a search engine can locate a specific tag or groups of tags and display code and comments associated with the located tag(s).

1 . A method of managing comment data in a programming environment comprising: 
 storing at least one line of computer executable code in an integrated program development application;    storing code comment data;    associating the comment data with the at least one line of computer executable code, the code comment data containing information related to the at least one line of computer executable code;    assigning at least one tag from the plurality of tags to the code comment data; and    locating search results regarding features of the at least one line of executable code utilizing the at least one tag in response to a query for the information.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising displaying the search results.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising accepting a user query having multiple search criteria and displaying search results in response to the user query.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising indexing the stored comment data utilizing the at least one tag.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising monitoring a process being performed on the at least one line of computer executable code or the stored comment data and automatically adding a tag to the at least one line of computer executable code responsive to detecting a specific activity of the process.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein assigning comprises selecting at least one tag assignable to the stored comment data, wherein the selecting is performed via a graphical user interface.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein displaying comprises displaying selectable links that when activated can retrieve additional data.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the query comprises displaying search criteria tags and accepting a user selection of the displayed search criteria to direct a search.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein assigning the at least one tag comprises auto-assigning the at least one tag to the at least one line of computer executable code based on an activity of a user.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the assigning the at least one tag comprises assigning based on recognition of a keyword in one of the comments or the at least one line of computer executable code.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus to manage comment data in a programming environment comprising: 
 an association module to associate executable computer instructions with comment data,    the comment data providing information about the executable code;    a tagger to place at least one tag on the comment data responsive to the information; and    a search engine to search for the at least one tag and to locate the information about the executable computer instructions in response to a search query.    
   
   
       12 . The apparatus as in  claim 11  further comprising a display to display the comment data and the at least on line of computer executable code.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus as in  claim 12  further comprising a graphical user interface adapted to receive user input and to configure the display with the located information.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus as in  claim 11  further comprising an integrated development tool coupled to the tagger and configured to auto tag comments in response to at least one process provided by tools within a suite of development tools.  
   
   
       15 . A machine-accessible medium containing instructions to manage comment data associated with computer executable code, said machine to perform operations comprising: 
 storing at least one line of computer executable code in an integrated program development application;    storing code comment data;    associating the comment data with the at least one line of computer executable code, the code comment data providing information related to the at least one line of computer executable code;    assigning at least one tag from the plurality of tags to the code comment data; and    locating search results regarding features of the at least one line of executable code utilizing the at least one tag in response to a query.    
   
   
       16 . The machine-accessible medium of  claim 15  further comprising displaying at least one line of computer executable code associated with the located at least one tag.  
   
   
       17 . The machine-accessible medium of  claim 15  further comprising displaying the stored comment data associated with the located at least one tag.  
   
   
       18 . The machine-accessible medium of  claim 15  further comprising processing the at least one line of computer executable code and automatically adding a tag to the comment data responsive to results of the processing  
   
   
       19 . The machine-accessible medium of  claim 15  wherein the at least one tag comprises one of a deletion, an addition, an author, a revision number, a release number, an event, contact information, a start of a block of code, an end of a block of code and a functional description.  
   
   
       20 . The machine-accessible medium of  claim 15  wherein links are created between two tags such that a relational database can be implemented.