The Experts below are selected from a list of 321 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Marcela Genero - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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on the impact of uml analysis models on source code comprehensibility and Modifiability
ACM Transactions on Software Engineering and Methodology, 2014Co-Authors: Giuseppe Scanniello, Marcela Genero, Carmine Gravino, Jose A Cruzlemus, Genoveffa TortoraAbstract:We carried out a family of experiments to investigate whether the use of UML models produced in the requirements analysis process helps in the comprehensibility and Modifiability of source code. The family consists of a controlled experiment and 3 external replications carried out with students and professionals from Italy and Spain. 86 participants with different abilities and levels of experience with UML took part. The results of the experiments were integrated through the use of meta-analysis. The results of both the individual experiments and meta-analysis indicate that UML models produced in the requirements analysis process influence neither the comprehensibility of source code nor its Modifiability.
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Building measure-based prediction models for UML class diagram maintainability
Empirical Software Engineering, 2007Co-Authors: Marcela Genero, Aaron Visaggio, Esperanza Manso, Gerardo Canfora, Mario PiattiniAbstract:The usefulness of measures for the analysis and design of object oriented (OO) software is increasingly being recognized in the field of software engineering research. In particular, recognition of the need for early indicators of external quality attributes is increasing. We investigate through experimentation whether a collection of UML class diagram measures could be good predictors of two main subcharacteristics of the maintainability of class diagrams: understandability and Modifiability. Results obtained from a controlled experiment and a replica support the idea that useful prediction models for class diagrams understandability and Modifiability can be built on the basis of early measures, in particular, measures that capture structural complexity through associations and generalizations. Moreover, these measures seem to be correlated with the subjective perception of the subjects about the complexity of the diagrams. This fact shows, to some extent, that the objective measures capture the same aspects as the subjective ones. However, despite our encouraging findings, further empirical studies, especially using data taken from real projects performed in industrial settings, are needed. Such further study will yield a comprehensive body of knowledge and experience about building prediction models for understandability and Modifiability.
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assessing the impact of coupling on the understandability and Modifiability of ocl expressions within uml ocl combined models
IEEE International Software Metrics Symposium, 2005Co-Authors: Luis Reynoso, Marcela Genero, Mario Piattini, E MansoAbstract:Diagram-based UML notation is limited in its expressiveness thus producing a model that would be severely underspecified. The flaws in the limitation of the UML diagrams are solved by specifying UML/OCL combined models, OCL being an essential add-on to the UML diagrams. Aware of the importance of building precise models, the main goal of this paper is to carefully describe a family of experiments we have undertaken to ascertain whether any relationship exists between object coupling (defined through metrics related to navigations and collection operations) and two maintainability sub-characteristics: understandability and Modifiability of OCL expressions. If such a relationship exists, we will have found early indicators of the understandability and Modifiability of OCL expressions. Even though the results obtained show empirical evidence that such a relationship exists, they must be considered as preliminaries. Further validation is needed to be performed to strengthen the conclusions and external validity
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ISESE - Finding "early" indicators of UML class diagrams understandability and Modifiability
2004Co-Authors: Marcela Genero, M. Piatini, Esperanza MansoAbstract:Given the relevant role that models obtained in the early stages play in the development of OO systems, in the recent years special attention has been paid to the quality of such models. Adhering to this fact, the main objective of this work is to obtain "early" indicators of UML class diagrams understandability and Modifiability. These indicators will allow OO designers to improve the quality of the diagrams they model and hence contribute improving the quality of the OO systems, which are finally delivered. The empirical data were obtained through a controlled experiment and its replication we carried out for obtaining prediction models of the Understandability and Modifiability Time of UML class diagrams based on a set of metrics previously defined for UML class diagrams structural complexity and size. The obtained results, reveal that the metrics that count the number of methods (NM), the number of attributes (NA), the number of generalizations (NGen), the number of dependencies (NDEP), the maximum depth of the generalization hierarchies (MaxDIT) and the maximum height of the aggregation hierarchies (MaxHAgg) could influence the effort needed to maintain UML class diagrams.
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finding early indicators of uml class diagrams understandability and Modifiability
International Symposium on Empirical Software Engineering, 2004Co-Authors: Marcela Genero, M. Piatini, E MansoAbstract:Given the relevant role that models obtained in the early stages play in the development of OO systems, in the recent years special attention has been paid to the quality of such models. Adhering to this fact, the main objective of this work is to obtain "early" indicators of UML class diagrams understandability and Modifiability. These indicators will allow OO designers to improve the quality of the diagrams they model and hence contribute improving the quality of the OO systems, which are finally delivered. The empirical data were obtained through a controlled experiment and its replication we carried out for obtaining prediction models of the Understandability and Modifiability Time of UML class diagrams based on a set of metrics previously defined for UML class diagrams structural complexity and size. The obtained results, reveal that the metrics that count the number of methods (NM), the number of attributes (NA), the number of generalizations (NGen), the number of dependencies (NDEP), the maximum depth of the generalization hierarchies (MaxDIT) and the maximum height of the aggregation hierarchies (MaxHAgg) could influence the effort needed to maintain UML class diagrams.
Mario Piattini - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Building measure-based prediction models for UML class diagram maintainability
Empirical Software Engineering, 2007Co-Authors: Marcela Genero, Aaron Visaggio, Esperanza Manso, Gerardo Canfora, Mario PiattiniAbstract:The usefulness of measures for the analysis and design of object oriented (OO) software is increasingly being recognized in the field of software engineering research. In particular, recognition of the need for early indicators of external quality attributes is increasing. We investigate through experimentation whether a collection of UML class diagram measures could be good predictors of two main subcharacteristics of the maintainability of class diagrams: understandability and Modifiability. Results obtained from a controlled experiment and a replica support the idea that useful prediction models for class diagrams understandability and Modifiability can be built on the basis of early measures, in particular, measures that capture structural complexity through associations and generalizations. Moreover, these measures seem to be correlated with the subjective perception of the subjects about the complexity of the diagrams. This fact shows, to some extent, that the objective measures capture the same aspects as the subjective ones. However, despite our encouraging findings, further empirical studies, especially using data taken from real projects performed in industrial settings, are needed. Such further study will yield a comprehensive body of knowledge and experience about building prediction models for understandability and Modifiability.
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assessing the impact of coupling on the understandability and Modifiability of ocl expressions within uml ocl combined models
IEEE International Software Metrics Symposium, 2005Co-Authors: Luis Reynoso, Marcela Genero, Mario Piattini, E MansoAbstract:Diagram-based UML notation is limited in its expressiveness thus producing a model that would be severely underspecified. The flaws in the limitation of the UML diagrams are solved by specifying UML/OCL combined models, OCL being an essential add-on to the UML diagrams. Aware of the importance of building precise models, the main goal of this paper is to carefully describe a family of experiments we have undertaken to ascertain whether any relationship exists between object coupling (defined through metrics related to navigations and collection operations) and two maintainability sub-characteristics: understandability and Modifiability of OCL expressions. If such a relationship exists, we will have found early indicators of the understandability and Modifiability of OCL expressions. Even though the results obtained show empirical evidence that such a relationship exists, they must be considered as preliminaries. Further validation is needed to be performed to strengthen the conclusions and external validity
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a controlled experiment for validating class diagram structural complexity metrics
Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 2002Co-Authors: Marcela Genero, Luis Arroyo Jimenez, Mario PiattiniAbstract:Measuring quality is the key to developing high-quality software, and it is widely recognised that quality assurance of software products must be assessed focusing on early artifacts, such as class diagrams. After having thoroughly reviewed existing OO measures applicable to class diagrams at a high-level design stage, a set of metrics for the structural complexity of class diagrams obtained using Unified Modeling Language (UML) was defined. This paper describes a controlled experiment carried out in order to corroborate whether the metrics are closely related to UML class diagram Modifiability. Based on data collected in the experiment, a prediction model for class diagram Modifiability using a method for induction of fuzzy rules was built. The results of this experiment indicate that the metrics related to aggregation and generalization relationships are the determinant of class diagram Modifiability. These findings are in the line with the conclusions drawn from two other similar controlled experiments.
David Tzuriel - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the effects of mother child mediated learning strategies on psychological resilience and cognitive Modifiability of boys with learning disability
British Journal of Educational Psychology, 2018Co-Authors: David Tzuriel, Vered ShomronAbstract:Background The theoretical framework of the current study is based on mediated learning experience (MLE) theory, which is similar to the scaffolding concept. The main question of the current study was to what extent mother-child MLE strategies affect psychological resilience and cognitive Modifiability of boys with learning disability (LD). Secondary questions were to what extent the home environment, severity of boy's LD, and mother's attitude towards her child's LD affect her MLE strategies and consequently the child's psychological resilience and cognitive Modifiability. Aims The main objectives of this study were the following: (a) to investigate the effects of mother-child MLE strategies on psychological resilience and cognitive Modifiability among 7- to 10-year-old boys with LD, (b) to study the causal effects of distal factors (i.e., socio-economic status [SES], home environment, severity of child's LD, mother's attitude towards LD) and proximal factors (i.e., MLE strategies) on psychological resilience and cognitive Modifiability. Methods A sample of mother-child dyads (n = 100) were videotaped during a short teaching interaction. All children were boys diagnosed as children with LD. The interaction was analysed for MLE strategies by the Observation of Mediation Interaction scale. Children were administered psychological resilience tests and their cognitive Modifiability was measured by dynamic assessment using the Analogies subtest from the Cognitive Modifiability Battery. Home environment was rated by the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME), and mothers answered a questionnaire of attitudes towards child's LD. Results The findings showed that mother-child MLE strategies, HOME, and socio-economic level contributed significantly to prediction of psychological resilience (78%) and cognitive Modifiability (51%). Psychological resilience was positively correlated with cognitive Modifiability (Rc = 0.67). Structural equation modelling analysis supported, in general, the hypotheses about the causal effects of distal and proximal factors of psychological resilience and cognitive Modifiability. Conclusion The findings validate and extend the MLE theory by showing that mother-child MLE strategies significantly predict psychological resilience and cognitive Modifiability among boys with LD. Significant correlation between psychological resilience and cognitive Modifiability calls for further research exploring the role of MLE strategies in development of both.
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intervention for peer mediation and mother child interaction the effects on children s mediated learning strategies and cognitive Modifiability
Contemporary Educational Psychology, 2017Co-Authors: David Tzuriel, Rinat CaspiAbstract:Abstract The effects of intervention for peer mediation and mother-child mediated learning experience (MLE) strategies on children’s MLE strategies and cognitive Modifiability (CM) was investigated on a sample of 100 mother–child dyads. CM was examined in domains of executive functions and analogical reasoning. The MLE interactions were analyzed by Observation for Mediated Interaction (OMI) scale. Children of high- and low-mediating mothers were assigned to experimental (n = 49) and control (n = 51) conditions. The experimental group received a peer-mediation program and the control groups received an alternative creativity program. The children (in Grade 3) were assigned as mediators of learners (in Grade 1) and taught them analogical reasoning problems. The peer interaction was videotaped and analyzed by the OMI. All children were given dynamic assessment after the interaction. Children in the experimental group showed higher MLE strategies and CM than did children in the control condition. Mediators of low-MLE mothers in the experimental group showed greater CM than did mediators in the control group. Structural equation modeling analysis showed that mediators’ cognitive Modifiability was explained by proximal factors of treatment, mothers’ quality of mediation (QM) and mediators’ QM; learners’ cognitive Modifiability was explained by mediators’ QM. The findings were discussed in relation to the MLE theory and earlier findings.
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improving children s cognitive Modifiability by dynamic assessment in 3d immersive virtual reality environments
FORMAZIONE & INSEGNAMENTO. Rivista internazionale di Scienze dell'educazione e della formazione, 2016Co-Authors: David Passig, David Tzuriel, Ganit EshelkedmiAbstract:Increasing evidence reveals the efficacy of dynamic assessment (DA) procedure in providing rich and reliable feedback regarding children’s cognitive Modifiability. The DA procedure included four phases: pre-teaching test, teaching, post-teaching and transfer test two weeks after teaching. The teaching phase includes mediated learning experience strategies. Children’s cognitive Modifiability was examined by pre- to post-teaching improvementand by the transfer test. Children in Grades 1 and 2 (n ¼ 117) were randomly assigned into three experimental groups and one control group. Each of the experimental groups was given the teaching phase in a different modality:3D Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR, n ¼ 36), 2D (n ¼ 36), and tangible blocks (TB, n ¼ 24). The control group (n¼ 21) was not given teaching phase. The teaching phase included strategies of solving problems from the AnalogiesSubtest of the Cognitive Modifiability Battery (CMB). Pre- and post-teaching CMB Analogies tests were administered to all groups followed by CMB Transfer Analogies two weeks later. The findings indicate that the 2D and TBgroups showed higher cognitive Modifiability than the control group. Also, the findings indicate that teaching in a 3D IVR environment contributed to the children’s cognitive Modifiability more than in the other groups in theCMB Transfer Analogies. The findings are discussed in relation to the unique enhancing characteristics of the 3D IVR condition combined with the applied mediation strategies.
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improving children s cognitive Modifiability by dynamic assessment in 3d immersive virtual reality environments
Computers in Education, 2016Co-Authors: David Passig, David Tzuriel, Ganit EshelkedmiAbstract:Increasing evidence reveals the efficacy of dynamic assessment (DA) procedure in providing rich and reliable feedback regarding children's cognitive Modifiability. The DA procedure included four phases: pre-teaching test, teaching, post-teaching and transfer test two weeks after teaching. The teaching phase includes mediated learning experience strategies. Children's cognitive Modifiability was examined by pre- to post-teaching improvement and by the transfer test. Children in Grades 1 and 2 (n?=?117) were randomly assigned into three experimental groups and one control group. Each of the experimental groups was given the teaching phase in a different modality: 3D Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR, n?=?36), 2D (n?=?36), and tangible blocks (TB, n?=?24). The control group (n?=?21) was not given teaching phase. The teaching phase included strategies of solving problems from the Analogies Subtest of the Cognitive Modifiability Battery (CMB). Pre- and post-teaching CMB Analogies tests were administered to all groups followed by CMB Transfer Analogies two weeks later. The findings indicate that the 2D and TB groups showed higher cognitive Modifiability than the control group. Also, the findings indicate that teaching in a 3D IVR environment contributed to the children's cognitive Modifiability more than in the other groups in the CMB Transfer Analogies. The findings are discussed in relation to the unique enhancing characteristics of the 3D IVR condition combined with the applied mediation strategies. Children's cognitive Modifiability was examined using dynamic assessment.Cognitive Modifiability was measured in 2 computerized environments: 3D IVR and 2D.3D IVR contributed to the cognitive Modifiability more than in the other groups.There was a significantly greater improvement in the analogical thinking in 3D IVR.Experiencing a DA procedure in 3D IVR demonstrate a higher learning potential.
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cognitive Modifiability and ego identity among adolescents
Journal of Psychology & Psychotherapy, 2014Co-Authors: David TzurielAbstract:This study examines differential relations of ego identity (EI) with cognitive ability, and cognitive Modifiability among adolescents. A sample of 238 adolescents aged 16-18 was administered three dynamic assessment measures (Set-Variations II, Complex Figure, and the Organizer from the Learning Propensity Assessment Device) and the Adolescent Ego Identity Scale (AEIS). Canonical correlation analysis revealed positive correlation of AEIS factors with cognitive ability (Rc=0.40, p<0.05) and cognitive Modifiability (Rc=0.39, p<0.05). Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that cognitive Modifiability contributed significantly (5%) to prediction of total EI score of the AEIS, beyond the contribution of cognitive ability (8%). The findings are discussed in relation to the common factors affecting cognitive Modifiability and ego identity among adolescents. The findings indicate that adolescents with a higher cognitive ability and cognitive Modifiability possess abstract resources to deal with normative identity crises and therefore can cope better with conflicts and reach better EI formation. Cognitive Modifiability added significantly to the understanding of the mechanism of EI formation. This might add a novel perspective for psychotherapy as clinicians might use a mediated learning approach in enhancing adolescents’ Modifiability, both cognitive and emotional as a venue for emotional changes and psychological resiliency.
Hans Van Vliet - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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how architects see non functional requirements beware of Modifiability
Requirements Engineering: Foundation for Software Quality, 2012Co-Authors: Eltjo Poort, Nick Martens, Inge Van De Weerd, Hans Van VlietAbstract:This paper presents the analysis and key findings of a survey about dealing with non-functional requirements (NFRs) among architects. We find that, as long as the architect is aware of the importance of NFRs, they do not adversely affect project success, with one exception: highly business critical Modifiability tends to be detrimental to project success, even when the architect is aware of it. IT projects where Modifiability is perceived to have low business criticality lead to consistently high customer satisfaction. Our conclusion is that Modifiability deserves more attention than it is getting now, especially because in general it is quantified and verified considerably less than other NFRs. Furthermore, IT projects that applied NFR verification techniques relatively early in development were more successful on average than IT projects that did not apply verification techniques (or applied it relatively late in development).
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Architecture-level Modifiability analysis (ALMA)
Journal of Systems and Software, 2004Co-Authors: Perolof Bengtsson, N.h. Lassing, Jan Bosch, Hans Van VlietAbstract:Several studies have shown that 50-70% of the total lifecycle cost for a software system is spent on evolving the system. Organizations aim to reduce the cost of these adaptations, by addressing Modifiability during the system's development. The software architecture plays an important role in achieving this, but few methods for architecture-level Modifiability analysis exist. Independently, the authors have been working on scenario-based software architecture analysis methods that focus exclusively on Modifiability. Combining these methods led to architecture-level Modifiability analysis (ALMA), a unified architecture-level analysis method that focuses on Modifiability, distinguishes multiple analysis goals, has explicit assumptions and provides repeatable techniques for performing the steps. ALMA consists of five main steps, i.e. goal selection, software architecture description, change scenario elicitation, change scenario evaluation and interpretation. The method has been validated through its application in several cases, including software architectures at Ericsson Software Technology, DFDS Fraktarna, Althin Medical, the Dutch Department of Defense and the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration. © 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved
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Architecture-level Modifiability analysis (ALMA)
Journal of Systems and Software, 2003Co-Authors: Perolof Bengtsson, N.h. Lassing, Jan Bosch, Hans Van VlietAbstract:Several studies have shown that 50-70% of the total lifecycle cost for a software system is spent on evolving the system. Organizations aim to reduce the cost of these adaptations, by addressing Modifiability during the system's development. The software architecture plays an important role in achieving this, but few methods for architecture-level Modifiability analysis exist. Independently, the authors have been working on scenario-based software architecture analysis methods that focus exclusively on Modifiability. Combining these methods led to architecture-level Modifiability analysis (ALMA), a unified architecture-level analysis method that focuses on Modifiability, distinguishes multiple analysis goals, has explicit assumptions and provides repeatable techniques for performing the steps. ALMA consists of five main steps, i.e. goal selection, software architecture description, change scenario elicitation, change scenario evaluation and interpretation. The method has been validated through its application in several cases, including software architectures at Ericsson Software Technology, DFDS Fraktarna, Althin Medical, the Dutch Department of Defense and the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration.
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Experiences with ALMA: architecture-level Modifiability analysis
Journal of Systems and Software, 2002Co-Authors: N.h. Lassing, Hans Van Vliet, Perlof Bengtsson, Jan BoschAbstract:Modifiability is an important quality for software systems, because a large part of the costs associated with these systems is spent on modifications. The effort, and therefore cost, that is required for these modifications is largely determined by a system's software architecture. Analysis of software architectures is therefore an important technique to achieve Modifiability and reduce maintenance costs. However, few techniques for software architecture analysis currently exist. Based on our experiences with software architecture analysis of Modifiability, we have developed ALMA, an architecture-level Modifiability analysis method consisting of five steps. In this paper we report on our experiences with ALMA. We illustrate our experiences with examples from two case studies of software architecture analysis of Modifiability. These case studies concern a system for mobile positioning at Ericsson Software Technology AB and a system for freight handling at DFDS Fraktarna. Our experiences are related to each step of the analysis process. In addition, we made some observations on software architecture analysis of Modifiability in general.
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viewpoints on Modifiability
International Journal of Software Engineering and Knowledge Engineering, 2001Co-Authors: N.h. Lassing, D.b.b. Rijsenbrij, Hans Van VlietAbstract:Software architecture is generally regarded as an important tool to achieve systems of higher quality. It is claimed that the foundation for a system's quality is laid by the decisions made in the software architecture. A question that is occupying both researchers and practitioners is in which areas should decisions be made in the software architecture? We believe architectural view models play an important role in the answer to this question. View models consist of a coherent set of architectural views. These view models have both a prescriptive and a descriptive role in the development process. Their prescriptive role is that they call for a number of aspects to be considered when defining a software architecture and their descriptive role is that they provide a framework to document a software architecture. Currently, a number of view models exist, the most important of which are the 4+1 View Model of Kruchten and the four views by Soni et al. In our experience with Modifiability analysis for business information systems we found that the views in current view models do not include all information required. In this paper we discuss the views we found useful for architecture level impact analysis of business information systems. They are illustrated using a case study we performed for the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration. We claim that when these views are required for architecture level impact analysis, the decisions they capture should also be considered during architecture development.
E Manso - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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assessing the impact of coupling on the understandability and Modifiability of ocl expressions within uml ocl combined models
IEEE International Software Metrics Symposium, 2005Co-Authors: Luis Reynoso, Marcela Genero, Mario Piattini, E MansoAbstract:Diagram-based UML notation is limited in its expressiveness thus producing a model that would be severely underspecified. The flaws in the limitation of the UML diagrams are solved by specifying UML/OCL combined models, OCL being an essential add-on to the UML diagrams. Aware of the importance of building precise models, the main goal of this paper is to carefully describe a family of experiments we have undertaken to ascertain whether any relationship exists between object coupling (defined through metrics related to navigations and collection operations) and two maintainability sub-characteristics: understandability and Modifiability of OCL expressions. If such a relationship exists, we will have found early indicators of the understandability and Modifiability of OCL expressions. Even though the results obtained show empirical evidence that such a relationship exists, they must be considered as preliminaries. Further validation is needed to be performed to strengthen the conclusions and external validity
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finding early indicators of uml class diagrams understandability and Modifiability
International Symposium on Empirical Software Engineering, 2004Co-Authors: Marcela Genero, M. Piatini, E MansoAbstract:Given the relevant role that models obtained in the early stages play in the development of OO systems, in the recent years special attention has been paid to the quality of such models. Adhering to this fact, the main objective of this work is to obtain "early" indicators of UML class diagrams understandability and Modifiability. These indicators will allow OO designers to improve the quality of the diagrams they model and hence contribute improving the quality of the OO systems, which are finally delivered. The empirical data were obtained through a controlled experiment and its replication we carried out for obtaining prediction models of the Understandability and Modifiability Time of UML class diagrams based on a set of metrics previously defined for UML class diagrams structural complexity and size. The obtained results, reveal that the metrics that count the number of methods (NM), the number of attributes (NA), the number of generalizations (NGen), the number of dependencies (NDEP), the maximum depth of the generalization hierarchies (MaxDIT) and the maximum height of the aggregation hierarchies (MaxHAgg) could influence the effort needed to maintain UML class diagrams.