  Good code quality is a prerequisite for efficiently developing maintainable
software. In this paper, we present a novel approach to generate exploranative
(explanatory and exploratory) data-driven documents that report code quality in
an interactive, exploratory environment. We employ a template-based natural
language generation method to create textual explanations about the code
quality, dependent on data from software metrics. The interactive document is
enriched by different kinds of visualization, including parallel coordinates
plots and scatterplots for data exploration and graphics embedded into text. We
devise an interaction model that allows users to explore code quality with
consistent linking between text and visualizations; through integrated
explanatory text, users are taught background knowledge about code quality
aspects. Our approach to interactive documents was developed in a design study
process that included software engineering and visual analytics experts.
Although the solution is specific to the software engineering scenario, we
discuss how the concept could generalize to multivariate data and report
lessons learned in a broader scope.
