20.2.5.  Examining Changes

Similar to Sonargraph application, the IntelliJ plugin allows to track changes of issues with respect to a baseline. The Sonargraph menu allows the following interactions:

  • New Baseline: Create and apply a new baseline, i.e. at the beginning of a feature development, to ensure that no new issues are introduced.

  • Open Baseline: Open an existing baseline, i.e. an XML report generated at the end of the previous release.

  • Activate System Baseline: Switch to the baseline that is configured in the software system. Obviously, this menu is only enabled if there is a baseline configured and it is currently not activated.

  • Detach Baseline: Disconnect the current Sonargraph system from the baseline to see all existing issues.

  • Export HTML Report: Create and open an HTML report focussed on the differences w.r.t the baseline.

Sonargraph issues are converted to IntelliJ markers. If a baseline is applied, all unmodified issues are assigned the severity "info". This sets them clearly apart from the added or changed issues which keep their original severity. The following screenshot shows the Sonargraph Tool Window and the possible menu interactions:

Sonargraph Issues in IntelliJ with Baseline Applied
Figure 20.9. Sonargraph Issues in IntelliJ with Baseline Applied


There are no markers created for resolved issues. If you are interested which issues have been resolved, you need to create the HTML report.

Current Limitations

Not all functionality related to the system diff has been implemented yet in the IntelliJ plugin and the following list summarizes the current limitations, which will be addressed in future releases:

  1. The "Sonargraph Cycle Groups" view does not support the system diff and always shows the complete list of cycle groups. To see diff information about cycle groups, you currently have to generate the HTML report.

Related topics: