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ABSTRACT
Background: UML diagrams have become an important technique with which to describe the functionality and behavior of a software system. These diagrams are particularly important for maintainers who have to maintain a software system which was developed by a different team or company. However, UML diagrams with the documentation of the software system are not always available, and have to be generated using a reverse engineering technique. UML diagrams (class diagrams, sequence diagrams) obtained through reverse engineering have a high level of detail in comparison to those developed in the design phase following a model-centric approach. Aim: We therefore wished to compare the performance of maintainers when using design UML diagrams as opposed to reverse engineered diagrams during the maintenance of source code. Method: This was achieved by carrying out a controlled experiment with 40 students in the second year of a Master’s degree in Computer Science at the University of Seville (Spain). Results: The results obtained are not conclusive, but show a slight tendency towards obtaining better results when using UML diagrams obtained in the design phase. These results may encourage software developers to follow a model-centric approach, which implies beginning the development of a software system by building the corresponding UML diagrams and keeping them up-to-date in order to facilitate maintenance tasks.
Conclusions: Nevertheless, we are conscious that these results should be considered as preliminary. Further replications of this experiment are planned with students and professionals in order to obtain more conclusive results.
In the following table, you can find the experimental materials used in all replications.
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| TrainMat = Training Material; RunMat = Run Material |
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González L., Alarcos Research Group - E.S.I,
University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain -
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