A framework and tool supports for testing modularity of software design

Modularity is one of the most important properties of a software design, with significant impact on changeability and evolvability. However, a formalized and automated approach is lacking to test and verify software design models against their modularity properties, in particular, their ability to accommodate potential changes. In this paper, we propose a novel framework for testing design modularity. The software artifact under test is a software design. A test input is a potential change to the design. The test output is a modularity vector, which precisely captures quantitative capability extents of the design for accommodating the test input (the potential change). Both the design and the test input are represented as formal computable models to enable automatic testing. The modularity vector integrates the net option value analysis with wellknown design principles. We have implemented the framework with tool supports and tested aspect-oriented and object-oriented design patterns...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2007
• Where: KBSE
• Authors: Yuanfang Cai, Sunny Huynh, Tao Xie
• Keywords: KBSE 2007, Potential Change, Software Designs, Software Engineering, Test Input