Abstract
Contemporary software systems combine many artifacts specified in various modeling and programming languages, domainspecific and general purpose as well. Since multi-language systems are so widespread, working on them calls for tools with cross-language support mechanisms such as (1) visualization, (2) static checking, (3) navigation, and (4) refactoring of cross-language relations. We investigate whether these four mechanisms indeed improve efficiency and quality of development of multi-language systems. We run a controlled experiment in which 22 participants perform typical software evolution tasks on the JTrac web application using a prototype tool implementing these mechanisms. The results speak clearly for integration of cross-language support mechanisms into software development tools, and justify research on automatic inference, manipulation and handling of cross-language relations.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Model Driven Engineering Languages and Systems : 15th International Conference, MODELS 2012, Innsbruck, Austria, September 30–October 5, 2012. Proceedings |
Volume | 7590 |
Publisher | Springer |
Publication date | 2012 |
Pages | 168-184 |
ISBN (Print) | 978-3-642-33665-2 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 978-3-642-33666-9 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2012 |
Keywords
- Multi-language systems
- Cross-language support
- Software development tools
- Code visualization
- Static analysis
- Software refactoring
- Software evolution
- Controlled experiment
- Domain-specific languages
- Program comprehension