A reference model for refactoring techniques categorization based on software quality attributes

The cost of software maintenance and evolution activities represents more than 80% of total software development costs. Refactoring is one of the trusted techniques widely used to facilitate and reduce maintenance activities and costs. However, the effects of the refactoring techniques on quality a...

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Main Author: Ahmed, Abdullah Abdurahman Mohamed
Format: Thesis
Language:eng
eng
Published: 2021
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Online Access:https://etd.uum.edu.my/9542/1/depositpermission_s902941.pdf
https://etd.uum.edu.my/9542/2/s902941_01.pdf
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spelling my-uum-etd.95422022-06-26T01:47:29Z A reference model for refactoring techniques categorization based on software quality attributes 2021 Ahmed, Abdullah Abdurahman Mohamed Omar, Mazni Zakaria, Nur Haryani Awang Had Salleh Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Awang Had Salleh Graduate School of Arts & Sciences T Technology (General) The cost of software maintenance and evolution activities represents more than 80% of total software development costs. Refactoring is one of the trusted techniques widely used to facilitate and reduce maintenance activities and costs. However, the effects of the refactoring techniques on quality attributes are inconsistent and contradictory because different techniques affect different quality attributes in various ways. It is, therefore, a challenge for software developers to use these techniques to improve the software quality. Moreover, there is a lack of guidelines to enable software developers to decide which refactoring techniques to use to improve software quality regarding specific design goals. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to propose a reference model for categorizing the refactoring techniques based on their measurable effect on quality attributes. Initially, a problem definition and exploratory study were carried out to determine the common refactoring techniques used. Then, an experimental study was carried out with five case studies to measure the effect of refactoring techniques on quality attributes. The model was constructed based on the results of exploratory and experimental studies, followed by multi-case analysis, and setting up conventions. It was verified through a focus group discussion and expert reviews. Additionally, three case studies were empirically performed to validate the model. The model consists of five main components: methodology of applying refactoring techniques, Quality Model for Object-Oriented Design (QMOOD), factors causing different effects of refactoring techniques, categorization of refactoring techniques, and guidelines for software developers. The findings revealed that the model gained experts’ satisfaction and practical to be executed in the real environment. Theoretically, this study contributes a reference model that categorizes refactoring techniques based on their effect on quality attributes. Besides, the model provides refactoring process guidelines for software developers to choose suitable refactoring techniques to improve the software quality. 2021 Thesis https://etd.uum.edu.my/9542/ https://etd.uum.edu.my/9542/1/depositpermission_s902941.pdf text eng 2023-09-14 staffonly https://etd.uum.edu.my/9542/2/s902941_01.pdf text eng 2023-09-14 staffonly other doctoral Universiti Utara Malaysia
institution Universiti Utara Malaysia
collection UUM ETD
language eng
eng
advisor Omar, Mazni
Zakaria, Nur Haryani
topic T Technology (General)
spellingShingle T Technology (General)
Ahmed, Abdullah Abdurahman Mohamed
A reference model for refactoring techniques categorization based on software quality attributes
description The cost of software maintenance and evolution activities represents more than 80% of total software development costs. Refactoring is one of the trusted techniques widely used to facilitate and reduce maintenance activities and costs. However, the effects of the refactoring techniques on quality attributes are inconsistent and contradictory because different techniques affect different quality attributes in various ways. It is, therefore, a challenge for software developers to use these techniques to improve the software quality. Moreover, there is a lack of guidelines to enable software developers to decide which refactoring techniques to use to improve software quality regarding specific design goals. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to propose a reference model for categorizing the refactoring techniques based on their measurable effect on quality attributes. Initially, a problem definition and exploratory study were carried out to determine the common refactoring techniques used. Then, an experimental study was carried out with five case studies to measure the effect of refactoring techniques on quality attributes. The model was constructed based on the results of exploratory and experimental studies, followed by multi-case analysis, and setting up conventions. It was verified through a focus group discussion and expert reviews. Additionally, three case studies were empirically performed to validate the model. The model consists of five main components: methodology of applying refactoring techniques, Quality Model for Object-Oriented Design (QMOOD), factors causing different effects of refactoring techniques, categorization of refactoring techniques, and guidelines for software developers. The findings revealed that the model gained experts’ satisfaction and practical to be executed in the real environment. Theoretically, this study contributes a reference model that categorizes refactoring techniques based on their effect on quality attributes. Besides, the model provides refactoring process guidelines for software developers to choose suitable refactoring techniques to improve the software quality.
format Thesis
qualification_name other
qualification_level Doctorate
author Ahmed, Abdullah Abdurahman Mohamed
author_facet Ahmed, Abdullah Abdurahman Mohamed
author_sort Ahmed, Abdullah Abdurahman Mohamed
title A reference model for refactoring techniques categorization based on software quality attributes
title_short A reference model for refactoring techniques categorization based on software quality attributes
title_full A reference model for refactoring techniques categorization based on software quality attributes
title_fullStr A reference model for refactoring techniques categorization based on software quality attributes
title_full_unstemmed A reference model for refactoring techniques categorization based on software quality attributes
title_sort reference model for refactoring techniques categorization based on software quality attributes
granting_institution Universiti Utara Malaysia
granting_department Awang Had Salleh Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
publishDate 2021
url https://etd.uum.edu.my/9542/1/depositpermission_s902941.pdf
https://etd.uum.edu.my/9542/2/s902941_01.pdf
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