Abstract
Hypertext consists of text fragments connected by links enabling fast nonlinear browsing of the fragments. In case of program text there are many alternative ways to form the fragmentation and linkage. Transient hypertext is a general and well-grounded approach for offering capabilities to form versatile information access support for many kinds of central software maintenance activities. Transient hypertextual access structures (THASs) are data structures formed automatically based on situation dependent information needs of the users of program comprehension support tools. The approach has been implemented in HyperSoft system. It is aimed at supporting legacy software maintenance and comprehension. The paper presents a detailed hierarchical theoretical framework for evaluating different THAS types. The represented framework systematically covers usefulness, benefits, costs and generic quality factors affecting the usefulness. The use of the framework is illustrated by applying it in case of a representative THAS type. The example THAS has been generated and studied by using the HyperSoft system. The framework supports systematic evaluation and comparison of THAS types and similar data structures.
Keywords
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
R. Seacord, D. Plakosh, and G. Lewis, Modernizing Legacy Systems: Software Technologies, Engineering Processes, and Business Practices. Addison-Wesley, 2003.
K. Bennett, M. Ramage, and M. Munro, “Decision model for legacy systems”, IEE Proc. – Softw., vol. 146, number 3, pp. 153-159, 1999.
P. Garg, and W. Scacchi, “A hypertext system to manage software lifecycle documents”, IEEE Softw., vol. 7, number 3, pp. 90-98, 1990.
M. Meusel, K. Czarnecki, and W. Kopf, “A model for structuring user documentation of object-oriented frameworks using patterns and hypertext”, Proc. ECOOP 1997, Springer, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 1241, pp. 496-510.
K.M. Anderson, “Supporting software engineering with open hypermedia”, ACM Computing Surveys, vol. 31, number 4es, 1999.
M. Armstrong, and C. Trudeau, “Evaluating architectural extractors”, Proc. Fifth Working Conf. on Reverse Eng. (WCRE 1998). IEEE Computer Society, 1998, pp. 30-39
Javasrc: An HTML Java Cross-Reference Tool, http://home.austin.rr.com/kjohnston/javasrc.htm, 2003.
B. Bellay, and H. Gall, “An evaluation of reverse engineering tool capabilities”, Journal of Softw. Maint., vol. 10, pp. 305-331, 1998.
J. Paakki, A. Salminen, and J. Koskinen, “Automated hypertext support for software maintenance”, The Computer Journal, vol. 39, number 7, pp. 577-597, 1996.
J. Koskinen, A. Salminen, and J. Paakki, “Hypertext support for the information needs of software maintainers”, Journal of Softw. Maint. Evol., vol. 16, number 3, pp. 187-215, 2004.
J. Paakki, J. Koskinen, and A. Salminen, “From relational program dependencies to hypertextual access structures”, Nordic Journal of Computing, vol. 4, number 1, pp. 3-36, 1997.
J. Koskinen, Automated Transient Hypertext Support for Software Maintenance, Jyväskylä Studies in Computing, vol. 4. Jyväskylä, Finland: University of Jyväskylä, 2000.
J. Koskinen, “Experimental evaluation of hypertext access structures”, Journal of Softw. Maint. Evol., vol. 14, number 2, pp. 83-108, 2002.
M. Weiser, “Programmers use slices when debugging”, Commun. of the ACM, vol. 25, number 7, pp. 446-452, 1982.
M. Agosti, and J. Allan, “Introduction to the special issue on methods and tools for the automatic construction of hypertext”, Inform. Proc. & Manag., vol.33, number 2, pp. 129-131, 1997.
S. Horwitz, and T. Reps, “The use of program dependence graphs in software engineering”, Proc. 14th Int. Conf. on Softw. Eng. (ICSE 1992). ACM Press,1992, pp. 392-411.
S. Paul, and A. Prakash, “A query algebra for program databases”, IEEE Transact. on Softw. Eng., vol. 22, number 3, pp. 202-217, 1996.
A. von Mayrhauser, and A. Vans, “Industrial experience with an integrated code comprehension model”, Softw. Eng. Journal, vol. 10, number 5, pp. 171-182, 1995.
G. Murphy, D. Notkin, W. Griswold, and E. Lan, “An empirical study of static call graph extractors”, ACM Transact. on Softw. Eng. and Meth., vol. 7, number 2, pp. 158-191, 1998.
J. Koskinen, and A. Salminen, “Supporting impact analysis in HyperSoft and other maintenance tools”, Proc. 2nd IASTED Int. Conf. on Software Eng. (SE2005). Anaheim, CA: Acta Press, pp. 187-192.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2008 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
About this paper
Cite this paper
Koskinen, J. (2008). Evaluation Framework of Hypertext Access for Program Comprehension Support. In: Iskander, M. (eds) Innovative Techniques in Instruction Technology, E-learning, E-assessment, and Education. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8739-4_42
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8739-4_42
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-8738-7
Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-8739-4
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)