During software maintenance, 50% to 90% of developer effort is spent on program comprehension activities, which are performed by developers to better understand source code. Reducing the effort spent by developers on these activities can reduce software maintenance costs. Researchers have developed techniques and tools to detect code clones (similar or identical segments of source code), because their presence can diminish program comprehensibility. However, knowledge only of the presence of clones does not allow a developer to perform maintenance tasks correctly and completely; proper performance of these tasks requires a thorough understanding of the relationships among the detected clones. Existing approaches for investigating these relationships are limited in their applicability and effectiveness.

The goal of this collaborative project is to develop an automated and rigorous analysis process for identifying and codifying the relationships among clones using their structural and semantic properties. To maximize the impact of the techniques and tools on the effectiveness and efficiency of performing maintenance tasks when clones are present, the investigators will perform a domain analysis. After initial development, the team will validate and refine the techniques and tools. The research will help developers to maintain software, reducing total software cost and improving overall software quality.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Computer and Communication Foundations (CCF)
Type
Standard Grant (Standard)
Application #
0915559
Program Officer
Sol J. Greenspan
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2009-09-01
Budget End
2013-08-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$360,812
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Tuscaloosa
State
AL
Country
United States
Zip Code
35487