Not all the model constraints can be defined using only UML graphical features due to the limited expressiveness of diagram-based UML notation. To solve this problem, the OCL language was defined as a textual add-on to the UML diagrams, allowing the specification of a wide range of constraints of objects. Aware of the lack of metrics to capture the quality aspects of UML/OCL models and the importance of models in recent initiatives of model-Driven software engineering (such as Model-Driven Development and Model-Driven Architecture), we define a set of metrics for measuring the structural properties of OCL constraints in UML/OCL models. Many of these metrics are defined in terms of navigations, a core concept of OCL that defines coupling between objects. This paper carefully describes a family of experiments we have conducted to ascertain whether any relationship exists between object coupling (defined through metrics related to navigations and collection operations) and two maintainability subcharacteristics: understandability and modifiability of OCL expressions. Empirical evidence that such a relationship exists is shown in the obtained results, however they must be considered as preliminaries results. Further validation is needed to strengthen the conclusions and external validity.
%0 Journal Article
%1 reynoso_effect_2006
%A Reynoso, L.
%A Genero, M.
%A Piattini, M.
%A Manso, E.
%D 2006
%J Latin America Transactions, IEEE (Revista IEEE America Latina)
%K coupling; data experiment metrics; modeling; models; quality; software student {nullSoftware}
%N 2
%P 130--135
%R 10.1109/TLA.2006.1642461
%T The Effect of Coupling on Understanding and Modifying OCL Expressions: An Experimental Analysis
%V 4
%X Not all the model constraints can be defined using only UML graphical features due to the limited expressiveness of diagram-based UML notation. To solve this problem, the OCL language was defined as a textual add-on to the UML diagrams, allowing the specification of a wide range of constraints of objects. Aware of the lack of metrics to capture the quality aspects of UML/OCL models and the importance of models in recent initiatives of model-Driven software engineering (such as Model-Driven Development and Model-Driven Architecture), we define a set of metrics for measuring the structural properties of OCL constraints in UML/OCL models. Many of these metrics are defined in terms of navigations, a core concept of OCL that defines coupling between objects. This paper carefully describes a family of experiments we have conducted to ascertain whether any relationship exists between object coupling (defined through metrics related to navigations and collection operations) and two maintainability subcharacteristics: understandability and modifiability of OCL expressions. Empirical evidence that such a relationship exists is shown in the obtained results, however they must be considered as preliminaries results. Further validation is needed to strengthen the conclusions and external validity.
@article{reynoso_effect_2006,
abstract = {Not all the model constraints can be defined using only {UML} graphical features due to the limited expressiveness of diagram-based {UML} notation. To solve this problem, the {OCL} language was defined as a textual add-on to the {UML} diagrams, allowing the specification of a wide range of constraints of objects. Aware of the lack of metrics to capture the quality aspects of {UML/OCL} models and the importance of models in recent initiatives of {model-Driven} software engineering (such as {Model-Driven} Development and {Model-Driven} Architecture), we define a set of metrics for measuring the structural properties of {OCL} constraints in {UML/OCL} models. Many of these metrics are defined in terms of navigations, a core concept of {OCL} that defines coupling between objects. This paper carefully describes a family of experiments we have conducted to ascertain whether any relationship exists between object coupling (defined through metrics related to navigations and collection operations) and two maintainability subcharacteristics: understandability and modifiability of {OCL} expressions. Empirical evidence that such a relationship exists is shown in the obtained results, however they must be considered as preliminaries results. Further validation is needed to strengthen the conclusions and external validity.},
added-at = {2013-02-28T11:13:35.000+0100},
author = {Reynoso, L. and Genero, M. and Piattini, M. and Manso, E.},
biburl = {https://www.bibsonomy.org/bibtex/2a54b1e2351bae7f2059c26c6622adb13/fritzsolms},
doi = {10.1109/TLA.2006.1642461},
interhash = {d74c3b54baceae4f935da5f6efe592ec},
intrahash = {a54b1e2351bae7f2059c26c6622adb13},
issn = {1548-0992},
journal = {Latin America Transactions, {IEEE} {(Revista} {IEEE} America Latina)},
keywords = {coupling; data experiment metrics; modeling; models; quality; software student {nullSoftware}},
lccn = {0005},
month = apr,
number = 2,
pages = {130--135},
timestamp = {2013-02-28T11:14:06.000+0100},
title = {{The Effect of Coupling on Understanding and Modifying {OCL} Expressions: An Experimental Analysis}},
volume = 4,
year = 2006
}