An Empirical Study of Modularity on Program Modifiability

IfSQ

Research into the Maintenance of Software

Papers, Presentations and Books

Journal Paper: Cover of Empirical Studies of Programmers

An Empirical Study of Modularity on Program Modifiability

Timothy D. Korson, and Vijay K. Vaishnavi
Recorded 1986 in Empirical Studies of Programmers
Pages 168-86
Abstract:
An empirical study of the effects of modularity on adaptive program maintenance (enhancing, adding, or changing existing features) is reported by the authors.
Link:
An Empirical Study of Modularity on Program Modifiability

Finding relevant to IfSQ Standards:

Large programs that use information hiding are a factor 4 easier to modify than programs which don't

IfSQ Defect Indicators:

DP-5—Information Exposed
Information internal to a module has been made available to other modules. The practice of information hiding makes it much easier to modify large programs.