One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates creating a hierarchical model from a programming language file that includes components. The system operates by obtaining a component from the programming language file. Upon obtaining the component, the system passes an encoder to the component and requests that the component encode itself using the encoder, thereby causing the encoder to generate elements in the hierarchical model. Each element includes an attribute that identifies the component, thereby allowing the component to be subsequently identified by referencing the attribute in the corresponding element in the hierarchical model.