This article presents a hierarchy-aware classification schema for obje ct-oriented code, where software components are classified according to their behavioral characteristics, such as provided services, employed algorithms, and needed data. In the case of reusable application frameworks, these characteristics are constructured from their model, i.e., from the description of the abstract classes specifying both the framework structure and purpose. In conventional object libraries, the characteristics are extracted semiautomatically from class interfaces. Characteristics are term pairs, weighted to represent “how well” they describe component behavior. The set of characteristics associated with a given component forms its software descriptor. A descriptor base is presented where descriptors are organized on the basis of structured relationships, such as similarity and composition. The classification is supported by a thesaurus acting as a language-independent unified lexicon. The descriptor base is conceived for developers who, besides conventionally browsing the descriptors hierarchy, can query the system, specifying a set of desired functionalities and getting a ranked set of adaptable candidates. User feedback is taken into account in order to progressively ameliorate the quality of the descriptors according to the views of the user community. Feedback is made dependent of the user typology through a user profile. Experimental results in terms of recall and precision of the retrieval mechanism against a sample code base are reported.

A hierarchy-aware approach to faceted classification of objected-oriented components / E. Damiani, M.G. Fugini, C. Bellettini. - In: ACM TRANSACTIONS ON SOFTWARE ENGINEERING AND METHODOLOGY. - ISSN 1049-331X. - 8:3(1999), pp. 215-262.

A hierarchy-aware approach to faceted classification of objected-oriented components

E. Damiani
Primo
;
C. Bellettini
Ultimo
1999

Abstract

This article presents a hierarchy-aware classification schema for obje ct-oriented code, where software components are classified according to their behavioral characteristics, such as provided services, employed algorithms, and needed data. In the case of reusable application frameworks, these characteristics are constructured from their model, i.e., from the description of the abstract classes specifying both the framework structure and purpose. In conventional object libraries, the characteristics are extracted semiautomatically from class interfaces. Characteristics are term pairs, weighted to represent “how well” they describe component behavior. The set of characteristics associated with a given component forms its software descriptor. A descriptor base is presented where descriptors are organized on the basis of structured relationships, such as similarity and composition. The classification is supported by a thesaurus acting as a language-independent unified lexicon. The descriptor base is conceived for developers who, besides conventionally browsing the descriptors hierarchy, can query the system, specifying a set of desired functionalities and getting a ranked set of adaptable candidates. User feedback is taken into account in order to progressively ameliorate the quality of the descriptors according to the views of the user community. Feedback is made dependent of the user typology through a user profile. Experimental results in terms of recall and precision of the retrieval mechanism against a sample code base are reported.
Settore INF/01 - Informatica
1999
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/140451
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