Explore a transaction

Select a transaction or data call graph and navigate it from its start points to its end points

Overview

A Transaction is a vertical call graph that runs from an input (an interface, batch, web UI element and so on) down to an output (a table, file, API call and so on). A Data Call Graph is the reverse - it runs from an output back to an input. Both are calculated automatically during analysis and let you follow a single end-to-end flow through the application rather than the whole graph.

When to use this

Use this when you want to understand one specific flow - for example, what a given entry point does, which objects it passes through, and where it ends.

How to explore a transaction

  1. Select the scope. In the left panel, choose the Transaction (or Data Call Graph) scope. Each transaction or data call graph can be selected individually as a perimeter.

  1. Find the one you need. Use the Custom view search to locate a specific transaction or data call graph, and to filter by the objects, links, technologies, tags, or post-its it contains.

  1. View the flow. Open the transaction to display its graph. Drill down to object level to see the individual objects and the links between them.

  1. Choose how much to show. Switch between the call graph display modes (see below) to control how much of the flow is shown, and use the Transaction details / Update start and end points option to set the depth between the source object and the end points - see Graph options and Find start and end points:

Call graph display modes

A transaction or data call graph can be shown in one of three call graph modes. CAST Imaging selects a mode automatically based on the number of objects in the graph, but you can switch between them from the left panel:

Mode When it is used What it shows
Reduced call graph Selected automatically when the call graph contains fewer than 500 objects. A filtered view that removes less critical nodes and links (determined during the analysis import) to keep the graph readable and responsive.
Simplified call graph Selected automatically when the call graph contains more than 500 objects. Only one level of objects, together with the associated start and end points - the most condensed view. Switch to it manually with Show Simplified Call Graph in the left panel.
Full call graph Never shown by default - activate it manually with Full Call Graph in the left panel. All the objects in the call graph; large graphs may take some time to render. The full call graph cannot be displayed beyond 3000 nodes and 8000 links.

Clicking the active mode’s button again returns you to the previous mode, so you can move between views as your analysis requires.