Senseo: Enriching Eclipse's Static Source Views with Dynamic Metrics

Maintaining object-oriented systems that use inheritance and polymorphism is difficult, since runtime information, such as which methods are actually invoked at a call site, is not visible in the static source code. We have implemented Senseo, an Eclipse plugin enhancing Eclipse's static source views with various dynamic metrics, such as runtime types, the number of objects created, or the amount of memory allocated in particular methods.

Studying the laws of software evolution in a long-lived FLOSS project

ome free, open-source software projects have been around for quite a long time, the longest living ones dating from the early 1980s. For some of them, detailed information about their evolution is available in source code management systems tracking all their code changes for periods of more than 15 years. This paper examines in detail the evolution of one of such projects, glibc, with the main aim of understanding how it evolved and how it matched Lehman's laws of software evolution. As a result, we have developed a methodology for studying the evolution of such long-lived projects based on the information in their source code management repository, described in detail several aspects of the history of glibc, including some activity and size metrics, and found how some of the laws of software evolution may not hold in this case

Evidence of the presence of bias in subjective metrics: analysis within a family of experiments

Context: Measurement is crucial and important to empirical software engineering. Although reliability and validity are two important properties warranting consideration in measurement processes, they may be influenced by random or systematic error (bias) depending on which metric is used. Aim: Check whether, the simple subjective metrics used in empirical software engineering studies are prone to bias. Method: Comparison of the reliability of a family of empirical studies on requirements elicitation that explore the same phenomenon using different design types and objective and subjective metrics. Results: The objectively measured variables (experience and knowledge) tend to achieve more reliable results, whereas subjective metrics using Likert scales (expertise and familiarity) tend to be influenced by systematic error or bias. Conclusions: Studies that predominantly use variables measured subjectively, like opinion polls or expert opinion acquisition.

Análisis de la calidad y productividad en el desarrollo de un proyecto software en una microempresa con TSPi

Este artículo presenta el análisis de los resultados obtenidos al aplicar TSPi en el desarrollo de un proyecto software en una microempresa desde el punto de vista de la calidad y la productividad. La organización en estudio necesitaba mejorar la calidad de sus procesos pero no contaba con los recursos económicos que requieren modelos como CMMI-DEV. Por esta razón, se decidió utilizar un proceso adaptado a la organización basado en TSPi, observándose una reducción en la desviación de las estimaciones, un incremento en la productividad, y una mejora en la calidad.---ABSTRACT---This article shows the benefits of developing a software project using TSPi in a “Very Small Enterprise” based in quality and productivity measures. An adapted process from the current process based on the TSPi was defined and the team was trained in it. The workaround began by gathering historical data from previous projects in order to get a measurement repository, and then the project metrics were collected. Finally, the process, product and quality improvements were verified.

An application of fuzzy logic for hardware/software partitioning in embedded systems

Hardware/Software partitioning (HSP) is a key task for embedded system co-design. The main goal of this task is to decide which components of an application are to be executed in a general purpose processor (software) and which ones, on a specific hardware, taking into account a set of restrictions expressed by metrics. In last years, several approaches have been proposed for solving the HSP problem, directed by metaheuristic algorithms. However, due to diversity of models and metrics used, the choice of the best suited algorithm is an open problem yet. This article presents the results of applying a fuzzy approach to the HSP problem. This approach is more flexible than many others due to the fact that it is possible to accept quite good solutions or to reject other ones which do not seem good. In this work we compare six metaheuristic algorithms: Random Search, Tabu Search, Simulated Annealing, Hill Climbing, Genetic Algorithm and Evolutionary Strategy. The presented model is aimed to simultaneously minimize the hardware area and the execution time. The obtained results show that Restart Hill Climbing is the best performing algorithm in most cases.

Algoritmos metaheurísticos en el problema del particionado hardware/software de sistemas embebidos

El particionado hardware/software es una tarea fundamental en el co-diseño de sistemas embebidos. En ella se decide, teniendo en cuenta las métricas de diseño, qué componentes se ejecutarán en un procesador de propósito general (software) y cuáles en un hardware específico. En los últimos años se han propuesto diversas soluciones al problema del particionado dirigidas por algoritmos metaheurísticos. Sin embargo, debido a la diversidad de modelos y métricas utilizadas, la elección del algoritmo más apropiado sigue siendo un problema abierto. En este trabajo se presenta una comparación de seis algoritmos metaheurísticos: Búsqueda aleatoria (Random search), Búsqueda tabú (Tabu search), Recocido simulado (Simulated annealing), Escalador de colinas estocástico (Stochastic hill climbing), Algoritmo genético (Genetic algorithm) y Estrategia evolutiva (Evolution strategy). El modelo utilizado en la comparación está dirigido a minimizar el área ocupada y el tiempo de ejecución, las restricciones del modelo son consideradas como penalizaciones para incluir en el espacio de búsqueda otras soluciones. Los resultados muestran que los algoritmos Escalador de colinas estocástico y Estrategia evolutiva son los que mejores resultados obtienen en general, seguidos por el Algoritmo genético.

Análisis de software de analítica web para medir uso de recursos y servicios electrónicos de bibliotecas universitarias

Las bibliotecas universitarias recopilan, de manera rutinaria estadísticas sobre el uso de sus colecciones impresas y de la actividad in situ. Paralelamente y de manera sostenida, han ido incorporando recursos y servicios electrónicos, lo que ha motivado la elaboración de normas internacionales que definen indicadores que permiten medir su uso, no obstante contar con un software estándar es aún un asunto pendiente. Por otro lado, para medir la actividad de un sitio web existen varios programas gratuitos y de código abierto. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo determinar si los softwares de analítica web gratuitos para sitios web AWStats, Google Analytics y Piwik, pueden utilizarse para evaluar el uso de recursos y servicios electrónicos, conforme a los indicadores propuestos por las normas ANSI/NISO Z39.7-2013, ISO 2789:2003, ISO 20983:2003, BS ISO 11620:2008, EMIS, Counter e ICOLC. Para tales efectos, fueron utilizados para realizar el análisis de esta investigación sitio web y el catálogo en línea de la Biblioteca Florentino Ameghino, Biblioteca Central de la Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo de la Universidad Nacional de la Plata, Argentina. Los resultados reflejan las características de los indicadores, el software y el caso de estudio. Estas características son abordadas en las conclusiones con el fin de darle contexto y perspectiva a la respuesta de la pregunta de si es viable medir el uso de recursos y servicios electrónicos de una biblioteca universitaria por medio de programas estadísticos para sitios web

Análisis de software de analítica web para medir uso de recursos y servicios electrónicos de bibliotecas universitarias

Las bibliotecas universitarias recopilan, de manera rutinaria estadísticas sobre el uso de sus colecciones impresas y de la actividad in situ. Paralelamente y de manera sostenida, han ido incorporando recursos y servicios electrónicos, lo que ha motivado la elaboración de normas internacionales que definen indicadores que permiten medir su uso, no obstante contar con un software estándar es aún un asunto pendiente. Por otro lado, para medir la actividad de un sitio web existen varios programas gratuitos y de código abierto. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo determinar si los softwares de analítica web gratuitos para sitios web AWStats, Google Analytics y Piwik, pueden utilizarse para evaluar el uso de recursos y servicios electrónicos, conforme a los indicadores propuestos por las normas ANSI/NISO Z39.7-2013, ISO 2789:2003, ISO 20983:2003, BS ISO 11620:2008, EMIS, Counter e ICOLC. Para tales efectos, fueron utilizados para realizar el análisis de esta investigación sitio web y el catálogo en línea de la Biblioteca Florentino Ameghino, Biblioteca Central de la Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo de la Universidad Nacional de la Plata, Argentina. Los resultados reflejan las características de los indicadores, el software y el caso de estudio. Estas características son abordadas en las conclusiones con el fin de darle contexto y perspectiva a la respuesta de la pregunta de si es viable medir el uso de recursos y servicios electrónicos de una biblioteca universitaria por medio de programas estadísticos para sitios web

Metrics and models to support the development of hybrid information systems

The research described here concerns the development of metrics and models to support the development of hybrid (conventional/knowledge based) integrated systems. The thesis argues from the point that, although it is well known that estimating the cost, duration and quality of information systems is a difficult task, it is far from clear what sorts of tools and techniques would adequately support a project manager in the estimation of these properties. A literature review shows that metrics (measurements) and estimating tools have been developed for conventional systems since the 1960s while there has been very little research on metrics for knowledge based systems (KBSs). Furthermore, although there are a number of theoretical problems with many of the `classic' metrics developed for conventional systems, it also appears that the tools which such metrics can be used to develop are not widely used by project managers. A survey was carried out of large UK companies which confirmed this continuing state of affairs. Before any useful tools could be developed, therefore, it was important to find out why project managers were not using these tools already. By characterising those companies that use software cost estimating (SCE) tools against those which could but do not, it was possible to recognise the involvement of the client/customer in the process of estimation. Pursuing this point, a model of the early estimating and planning stages (the EEPS model) was developed to test exactly where estimating takes place. The EEPS model suggests that estimating could take place either before a fully-developed plan has been produced, or while this plan is being produced. If it were the former, then SCE tools would be particularly useful since there is very little other data available from which to produce an estimate. A second survey, however, indicated that project managers see estimating as being essentially the latter at which point project management tools are available to support the process. It would seem, therefore, that SCE tools are not being used because project management tools are being used instead. The issue here is not with the method of developing an estimating model or tool, but; in the way in which "an estimate" is intimately tied to an understanding of what tasks are being planned. Current SCE tools are perceived by project managers as targetting the wrong point of estimation, A model (called TABATHA) is then presented which describes how an estimating tool based on an analysis of tasks would thus fit into the planning stage. The issue of whether metrics can be usefully developed for hybrid systems (which also contain KBS components) is tested by extending a number of "classic" program size and structure metrics to a KBS language, Prolog. Measurements of lines of code, Halstead's operators/operands, McCabe's cyclomatic complexity, Henry & Kafura's data flow fan-in/out and post-release reported errors were taken for a set of 80 commercially-developed LPA Prolog programs: By re~defining the metric counts for Prolog it was found that estimates of program size and error-proneness comparable to the best conventional studies are possible. This suggests that metrics can be usefully applied to KBS languages, such as Prolog and thus, the development of metncs and models to support the development of hybrid information systems is both feasible and useful.

Análisis de software de analítica web para medir uso de recursos y servicios electrónicos de bibliotecas universitarias

Las bibliotecas universitarias recopilan, de manera rutinaria estadísticas sobre el uso de sus colecciones impresas y de la actividad in situ. Paralelamente y de manera sostenida, han ido incorporando recursos y servicios electrónicos, lo que ha motivado la elaboración de normas internacionales que definen indicadores que permiten medir su uso, no obstante contar con un software estándar es aún un asunto pendiente. Por otro lado, para medir la actividad de un sitio web existen varios programas gratuitos y de código abierto. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo determinar si los softwares de analítica web gratuitos para sitios web AWStats, Google Analytics y Piwik, pueden utilizarse para evaluar el uso de recursos y servicios electrónicos, conforme a los indicadores propuestos por las normas ANSI/NISO Z39.7-2013, ISO 2789:2003, ISO 20983:2003, BS ISO 11620:2008, EMIS, Counter e ICOLC. Para tales efectos, fueron utilizados para realizar el análisis de esta investigación sitio web y el catálogo en línea de la Biblioteca Florentino Ameghino, Biblioteca Central de la Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo de la Universidad Nacional de la Plata, Argentina. Los resultados reflejan las características de los indicadores, el software y el caso de estudio. Estas características son abordadas en las conclusiones con el fin de darle contexto y perspectiva a la respuesta de la pregunta de si es viable medir el uso de recursos y servicios electrónicos de una biblioteca universitaria por medio de programas estadísticos para sitios web

Using Computational Significance and Resilience in System Software Stacks.:Keynote Talk

This talk explores how the runtime system and operating system can leverage metrics that express the significance and resilience of application components in order to reduce the energy footprint of parallel applications. We will explore in particular how software can tolerate and indeed exploit higher error rates in future processors and memory technologies that may operate outside their safe margins.

O impacto da utilização de design patterns nas métricas e estimativas de projetos de software: a utilização de padrões tem alguma influência nas estimativas?

VALENTIM, R. A. M. ; SOUZA NETO, Plácido Antônio de. O impacto da utilização de design patterns nas métricas e estimativas de projetos de software: a utilização de padrões tem alguma influência nas estimativas?. Revista da FARN, Natal, v. 4, p. 63-74, 2006

O impacto da utilização de design patterns nas métricas e estimativas de projetos de software: a utilização de padrões tem alguma influência nas estimativas?

VALENTIM, R. A. M. ; SOUZA NETO, Plácido Antônio de. O impacto da utilização de design patterns nas métricas e estimativas de projetos de software: a utilização de padrões tem alguma influência nas estimativas?. Revista da FARN, Natal, v. 4, p. 63-74, 2006

Early investigation towards defining and measuring sustainability as a quality attribute in software systems

Sustainability in software system is still a new practice that most software developers and companies are trying to incorporate into their software development lifecycle and has been largely discussed in academia. Sustainability is a complex concept viewed from economic, environment and social dimensions with several definitions proposed making sometimes the concept of sustainability very fuzzy and difficult to apply and assess in software systems. This has hindered the adoption of sustainability in the software industry. A little research explores sustainability as a quality property of software products and services to answer questions such as; How to quantify sustainability as a quality construct in the same way as other quality attributes such as security, usability and reliability? How can it be applied to software systems? What are the measures and measurement scale of sustainability? The Goal of this research is to investigate the definitions, perceptions and measurement of sustainability from the quality perspective. Grounded in the general theory of software measurement, the aim is to develop a method that decomposes sustainability in factors, criteria and metrics. The Result is a method to quantify and access sustainability of software systems while incorporating management and users concern. Conclusion: The method will empower the ability of companies to easily adopt sustainability while facilitating its integration to the software development process and tools. It will also help companies to measure sustainability of their software products from economic, environmental, social, individual and technological dimension.

Vertical Bone Measurements From Cone Beam Computed Tomography Images Using Different Software Packages.

This article aimed at comparing the accuracy of linear measurement tools of different commercial software packages. Eight fully edentulous dry mandibles were selected for this study. Incisor, canine, premolar, first molar and second molar regions were selected. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were obtained with i-CAT Next Generation. Linear bone measurements were performed by one observer on the cross-sectional images using three different software packages: XoranCat®, OnDemand3D® and KDIS3D®, all able to assess DICOM images. In addition, 25% of the sample was reevaluated for the purpose of reproducibility. The mandibles were sectioned to obtain the gold standard for each region. Intraclass coefficients (ICC) were calculated to examine the agreement between the two periods of evaluation; the one-way analysis of variance performed with the post-hoc Dunnett test was used to compare each of the software-derived measurements with the gold standard. The ICC values were excellent for all software packages. The least difference between the software-derived measurements and the gold standard was obtained with the OnDemand3D and KDIS3D (-0.11 and -0.14 mm, respectively), and the greatest, with the XoranCAT (+0.25 mm). However, there was no statistical significant difference between the measurements obtained with the different software packages and the gold standard (p> 0.05). In conclusion, linear bone measurements were not influenced by the software package used to reconstruct the image from CBCT DICOM data.