research-article

Proposing and assessing a software visualization approach based on polymetric views

Authors:

Giuseppe Scanniello,

Genoveffa TortoraAuthors Info & Claims

Journal of Visual Languages and Computing, Volume 34, Issue C

Pages 11 - 24

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvlc.2016.05.001

Published: 01 June 2016 Publication History

Abstract

In this paper, we present an approach for the visualization of object-oriented software. This approach has been implemented in MetricAttitude, a visualization tool based on static analysis that provides a mental picture of a software implemented in Java by means of polymetric views. The approach graphically represents a suite of object-oriented design metrics (e.g., Weighted Methods per Class) and "traditional" code-size metrics (e.g., Lines Of Code). To assess the validity of our proposal, we have conducted two users' studies with students in Computer Science and professional software developers. The used empirical method is qualitative. To assess MetricAttitude and its underlying approach, we conducted questionnaire-based surveys. Results suggest that MetricAttitude is a viable means to deal with existing objects-oriented software and to comprehend their source code, in particular. HighlightsWe propose an approach for the visualization of object-oriented software.A software system is represented by polymetric views relied on statistical analysis.A software system overview in terms of size, complexity and structure is provided.Classes candidated for refactoring, important classes and hierarchies are highlighted.Two user studies with students and professional software developers are discussed.

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Cited By

Lima PMelegati JGomes EPereira NGuerra EMeirelles P(2023)CADVInformation and Software Technology10.1016/j.infsof.2022.107089154:COnline publication date: 1-Feb-2023
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.infsof.2022.107089
Francese RRisi MTortora GScanniello GLo DSerebrenik A(2017)MetricAttitude++Proceedings of the 25th International Conference on Program Comprehension10.1109/ICPC.2017.15(368-371)Online publication date: 20-May-2017
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1109/ICPC.2017.15

Index Terms

Proposing and assessing a software visualization approach based on polymetric views
1. Human-centered computing
  1. Human computer interaction (HCI)
    1. Interaction paradigms
      1. Graphical user interfaces

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Published In

cover image Journal of Visual Languages and Computing

Journal of Visual Languages and Computing Volume 34, Issue C

June 2016

25 pages

ISSN:1045-926X

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Copyright © Elsevier Ltd.

Publisher

Academic Press, Inc.

United States

Publication History

Published: 01 June 2016

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Cited By

Lima PMelegati JGomes EPereira NGuerra EMeirelles P(2023)CADVInformation and Software Technology10.1016/j.infsof.2022.107089154:COnline publication date: 1-Feb-2023
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1016/j.infsof.2022.107089
Francese RRisi MTortora GScanniello GLo DSerebrenik A(2017)MetricAttitude++Proceedings of the 25th International Conference on Program Comprehension10.1109/ICPC.2017.15(368-371)Online publication date: 20-May-2017
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1109/ICPC.2017.15

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