Level of detail in UML models and its impact on model comprehension: A controlled experiment
Level of detail in UML models and its impact on model comprehension: A controlled experiment
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DOI：
10.1016/j.infsof.2009.04.007
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发表时间：
2009-12
期刊：
影响因子：
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通讯作者：
Ariadi Nugroho
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文献类型：
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作者：
Ariadi Nugroho
以前的研究表明，UML模型中使用的风格和严谨性在软件项目中有很大的不同[C. F. J. Lange，M. R. V. Chaudron，J. Muskens，In practice：UML software architecture and design description，IEEE Software 23（2）（2006）40-46 [1]; A. Nugroho，M. R. V. Chaudron，在实践中管理UML模型的质量，在：J. Rech，C. Bunse（Eds.），模型驱动的软件开发：集成质量保证，信息科学参考，IGI出版社，宾夕法尼亚州好时，2008年，pp。1-36（第1章）; Nugroho，M. R. V. Chaudron，UML使用的严谨性及其对质量和生产力的感知影响的调查，在：ESEM'08：第二届ACM-IEEE经验软件工程和测量国际研讨会论文集，ACM，纽约，纽约，美国，2008年，第100页。90-99]。然而，尽管不同的风格和严谨性的使用，很少有研究已经进行了调查的驱动程序和使用不同的风格和严谨性建模对软件开发的影响。在本文中，我们评估的详细程度（LoD）在UML模型的风格和严格的形式在UML建模。使用一个图书馆系统的UML模型，我们实验研究模型理解的LoD的影响。更具体地说，我们探讨是否在UML模型的LoD影响理解UML模型的正确性和效率。使用两个独立的计算机科学专业的研究生组，我们进行了对照实验。实验结果证实了UML模型中的LoD对模型理解的显著影响。然而，复制这项研究是必要的，特别是在涉及专业软件工程师的情况下，以提高结果的普遍性。
Previous studies have shown that the style and rigor used in UML models vary widely across software projects [C.F.J. Lange, M.R.V. Chaudron, J. Muskens, In practice: UML software architecture and design description, IEEE Software 23 (2) (2006) 40–46 [1]; A. Nugroho, M.R.V. Chaudron, Managing the quality of UML models in practice, in: J. Rech, C. Bunse (Eds.), Model-Driven Software Development: Integrating Quality Assurance, Information Science Reference, IGI Publishing, Hershey, PA, 2008, pp. 1–36 (Chapter 1); A. Nugroho, M.R.V. Chaudron, A survey into the rigor of UML use and its perceived impact on quality and productivity, in: ESEM’08: Proceedings of the Second ACM-IEEE International Symposium on Empirical Software Engineering and Measurement, ACM, New York, NY, USA, 2008, pp. 90–99]. However, notwithstanding the varying use of styles and rigor, little research has been conducted to investigate the drivers and effects of using different styles and rigor in modeling on software development. In this paper, we evaluate Level of Detail (LoD) in UML models as a form of style and rigor in UML modeling. Using a UML model of a library system, we experimentally investigate the impact of LoD on model comprehension. More specifically, we explore whether LoD in UML models affects the correctness and efficiency in comprehending UML models. Using two independent groups of graduate students majoring in computer science, we performed a controlled experiment. The results of the experiment confirm the significant effect of LoD in UML models on model comprehension. Nevertheless, replication of this study is necessary, especially in contexts that involve professional software engineers, to improve the generalizability of the results.