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Reducing complexity for source-code maintainability

Angela Lozano Rodriguez
( Colombian )

The Open University
6 Rockspray Grove Walnut Tree Milton Keynes MK7 7EA
tel: +44 (0) 1908 652 816
fax:
A.Lozano-Rodriguez@open.ac.uk

Keywords:

metrics patterns software engineering re engineering refactoring visualization

Abstract:

Given that dealing with such non tangible complexity is a difficult duty, there is the necessity to control it along development and maintenance process to allow applications to remain usable.
The goal of this project is to reduce comprehension complexity by :
  • searching for poorly maintainable source code (in quality properties sense like cohesion or coupling) in order to let the programmer clean it. This aims to recognize the best solution for each type of un-maintainable code and apply it.
  • removing problematic code without introducing logic that degrades the design. This could be done by defining quality properties in an objective measurable way with Object Oriented metrics, in order to provide automatic support for characterizing and prioritizing quality improvement steps.
  • displaying source code in different abstraction levels as well as in different views; allowing programmers to go into details anytime. That is to say, a way to see source code through different abstraction layers in a metaphorical and visual manner as a way to comprehend the underlying design or coding decisions.
As a result, source code would improve its extensibility and reusability and would reduce maintainability costs
I would like to work in this project because I have realized that quality software industry is not scalable unless it forgoes its dependency on talented programmers that are able to deal with increasingly complex code.

The PhD work started: 1st July 2005

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Last modified on Mon Aug 15 14:59:24 2005