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http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/7052
Title: | Assessing architectural evolution: A case study |
Authors: | Wermelinger, M Yu, Y Lozano, A Capiluppi, A |
Keywords: | Software architecture;Software evolution;Design principles;Structured design;Metrics;Eclipse |
Issue Date: | 2011 |
Publisher: | Springer |
Citation: | Empirical Software Engineering, 16(5): 623 - 666, Oct 2011 |
Abstract: | This paper proposes to use a historical perspective on generic laws, principles, and guidelines, like Lehman’s software evolution laws and Martin’s design principles, in order to achieve a multi-faceted process and structural assessment of a system’s architectural evolution. We present a simple structural model with associated historical metrics and visualizations that could form part of an architect’s dashboard. We perform such an assessment for the Eclipse SDK, as a case study of a large, complex, and long-lived system for which sustained effective architectural evolution is paramount. The twofold aim of checking generic principles on a well-know system is, on the one hand, to see whether there are certain lessons that could be learned for best practice of architectural evolution, and on the other hand to get more insights about the applicability of such principles. We find that while the Eclipse SDK does follow several of the laws and principles, there are some deviations, and we discuss areas of architectural improvement and limitations of the assessment approach. |
Description: | This is the post-print version of the Article. The official published can be accessed from the link below - Copyright @ 2011 Springer |
URI: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10664-011-9164-x http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/7052 |
DOI: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10664-011-9164-x |
ISSN: | 1382-3256 |
Appears in Collections: | Publications Computer Science Dept of Computer Science Research Papers |
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