Using software metrics tools for maintenance decisions: a classroom exercise

Author

Marshall, Andrew D. ; Katchabaw, Michael J. ; Bauer, Michael A.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Comput. Sci., Univ. of Western Ontario, London, Ont., Canada

fYear

1996

fDate

22-24 May 1996

Firstpage

47

Lastpage

58

Abstract

We explore the use of software metrics tools to guide software maintenance decisions. A senior undergraduate class was given a copy of QUIPU, an implementation of the X.500 directory standard, and asked to determine which component of the system would be the best to rewrite in order to improve the overall quality of the entire software system. We describe the course structure and the information and tools provided to the students. The primary tool used by the students was Rigi, a program understanding tool. We present the methodology and results of one of the successful groups of students. Based on the experiences of the students, we conclude with suggestions for tool designers

Keywords

computer science education; educational courses; reverse engineering; software maintenance; software metrics; software quality; software tools; QUIPU; Rigi program understanding tool; X.500 directory standard; classroom exercise; course structure; senior undergraduate class; software maintenance decisions; software metrics tool; software system quality; students; system component rewriting; tool designers; Access protocols; Digital audio players; Distributed computing; Information management; Information retrieval; Reverse engineering; Software metrics; Software standards; Software systems; Visual databases;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Assessment of Software Tools, 1996., Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on

Conference_Location

Toronto, Ont.

Print_ISBN

0-8186-7390-7

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/AST.1996.506477

Filename

506477