Labcode Analyzer: A Semi-Automatic Refactoring Tool From Static Code Analysis of Labview Applications

Abstract

Refactoring is a very important technique used throughout the software cycle, being responsible for increasing readability, scalability, and the ability to maintain an application. At the same time, this task is quite arduous depending on how and who produced the software. Clear examples of this scenario are the applications developed by end users, who are often unaware of the good practices applied to software development. Among the several specific languages used by these professionals is LabVIEW. LabVIEW applications are commonly used by technicians and engineers in industry for measurement, testing, and monitoring. This problem makes refactoring these applications a challenging task. This work presents a tool for static code analysis and refactoring in LabVIEW code with the objective of identifying, in a semi-automatic way, signs of software problems characterized as code smells in the analyzed codes and candidates to refactoring.