Development of Mapping Tree View GUI for XML Configuration

Objective

The objective of this issue is to design and implement a GUI that enables users to construct the XML configuration for the mapping phase of CodeMetropolis in a tree view format. This GUI should facilitate the intuitive creation, editing, and visualization of the complex XML structure required for defining mappings, resources, linkings, and bindings among various software metrics and architectural elements.

Description

The Mapping Tree View GUI aims to simplify the process of generating the mapping XML configuration, which is crucial for translating software metrics into architectural elements within the CodeMetropolis toolchain. The expected output of this GUI is a well-formed XML document that specifies constants, linkings, and bindings, akin to the following structure:

<mapping version="2.0">
  <resources>
    <constant id="cellar_character" value="planks"/>
    <constant id="cellar_external_character" value="wood"/>
  </resources>
  <linking source="package" target="ground"/>
  <linking source="class" target="garden">
    <binding from="CBO" to="flower-ratio">
      <conversions>
        <conversion type="normalize"/>
      </conversions>
    </binding>
    ...
  </linking>
  ...
</mapping>

This GUI should provide a user-friendly interface for specifying each element of the XML document, including resources, linkings, and their respective bindings and conversions.

Features

Tree View Representation: Display the XML structure in a tree view, allowing users to navigate through and edit constants, linkings, bindings, and conversion parameters.
Dynamic Field Generation: Automatically generate input fields for attributes, conversions, and parameters based on the user's selections and inputs.
XML Preview and Export: Offer a real-time preview of the XML document being constructed and enable users to export the final XML file for use in the mapping phase.
Documentation and Tooltips: Provide inline documentation and tooltips to guide users through the process of mapping software metrics to architectural elements.

Action Items

[ ] Design the GUI layout and workflow, incorporating the tree view and dynamic field generation mechanisms.
[ ] Implement the functionality for adding, editing, and removing elements within the tree view.
[ ] Create a real-time XML preview feature that updates as the user constructs the mapping configuration.
[ ] Ensure the GUI supports exporting the completed XML configuration file.
[ ] Integrate documentation and tooltips to assist users in understanding and utilizing the GUI effectively.

Goal

By introducing the Mapping Tree View GUI, we aim to make the process of generating complex mapping XML configurations for CodeMetropolis more accessible and intuitive, thereby enhancing the toolchain's usability and flexibility for users.

codemetropolis / CodeMetropolis