Refactoring Codes to Improve Software Security Requirements

Almogahed, Abdullah; Omar, Mazni; Zakaria, Nur Haryani

doi:10.1016/j.procs.2022.08.013

Cited by 14 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Therefore, for the experimental analysis and similar to the researchers [40], [41], [43], [48], [64], seven case studies from two different environments (academic and real-world) and of varying sizes (two large-scale, two medium sizes, and three small sizes) were chosen in this study. The description of the case studies examined is summarized in Table 2.…”

Section: B Selecting Case Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Revisiting Scenarios of Using Refactoring Techniques to Improve Software Systems Quality

et al. 2023

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Refactoring is one of the most widely used techniques in practice to improve the quality of existing software. However, it is observed that refactoring does not continually improve all software quality attributes. Recent studies indicated that different refactoring techniques have significantly different, sometimes opposite, and conflicting effects on software quality attributes. In other words, there is contradictory evidence on the refactoring benefit. As a result, developers face challenges in selecting appropriate refactoring techniques when they use them to improve software quality. To the best of our knowledge, no study has investigated factors that may explain inconsistent or diverging results concerning the effect of refactoring techniques on software quality. Therefore, in this study, scenarios of using refactoring techniques factor have been identified, investigated, and thoroughly analyzed. Ten of the most commonly used refactoring techniques in practice have been chosen and individually applied in seven case studies of varying sizes (small, medium, and large). The Quality Model for Object-Oriented Design (QMOOD) is used to assess how refactoring techniques affect quality attributes. The findings provide strong evidence that this factor plays a significant role in producing the various effects of refactoring techniques on quality attributes. These findings can help software developers understand how to use refactoring techniques to improve software quality while taking this factor into account. The best scenario for using each refactoring technique to improve software system quality has been identified. The findings can provide guidelines for software developers to use refactoring techniques to improve the quality of software systems based on the best scenarios of using the refactoring techniques.

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Section: B Selecting Case Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Revisiting Scenarios of Using Refactoring Techniques to Improve Software Systems Quality

et al. 2023

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“…To put it another way, the evidence for the benefits of refactoring is conflicting [34]. Therefore, software developers encounter difficulties in identifying the most suitable refactoring technique that could effectively address design flaws and enhance specific quality attributes of the software [35][36][37][38][39][40].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimized Refactoring Mechanisms to Improve Quality Characteristics in Object-Oriented Systems

Almogahed,

Mahdin,

Omar

et al. 2023

IEEE Access

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Refactoring has emerged as a predominant approach to augmenting software product quality. However, empirical evidence suggests that not all dimensions of software quality experience unending enhancements through refactoring. Current scholarly explorations reveal significant variances in the impacts of diverse refactoring methods, with potential adverse effects and contradictions surfacing concerning software quality. Consequently, such disparities render the advantages of refactoring contentious, culminating in challenges for software developers in the selection of optimal refactoring methods to ameliorate software quality. Existing literature lacks an in-depth exploration of the reasons behind the contrasting impacts of refactoring methods on quality enhancement or the development of refined protocols for employing these techniques. Therefore, this research aims to explore, identify, and fine-tune the utilization mechanisms of refactoring methods, empowering software developers to make informed choices for the enhancement of object-oriented systems' quality attributes. Ten commonly employed refactoring methods were singled out for this investigation, each executed independently across five case studies varying in scale (small, medium, and large). The Quality Model for Object-Oriented Design (QMOOD) was employed as the evaluation tool to ascertain the influence of refactoring techniques on quality attributes. The research outcomes denote that the multifarious impacts of refactoring methods on quality attributes are attributed to distinct usage mechanisms of the techniques. These insights assist software practitioners in discerning the optimal utilization of refactoring methods to ameliorate software quality, taking their mechanisms into account. Moreover, these outcomes furnish industry experts with prescriptive guidelines for employing refactoring methods to elevate the quality of object-oriented systems, predicated on the suitable mechanism.

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“…Refactoring is a widely acknowledged practice that has been widely utilized to improve the quality of software systems [27], [28]. However, it has been noted that the impact of software refactoring on different software quality attributes is not consistently positive [13], [29], [30], [31].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several studies have attempted to classify refactoring techniques according to their influence on desired quality attributes, although their scope has been limited [31]. These studies [28], [40], [41], [42], [43] have classified a subset of refactoring techniques regarding particular quality attributes. Nevertheless, these classifications have certain limitations, as they do not encompass a comprehensive range of internal quality attributes, for example, composition, abstraction, hierarchies, encapsulation, messaging, and polymorphism.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Refactoring Classification Framework for Efficient Software Maintenance

et al. 2023

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The expenses associated with software maintenance and evolution constitute a significant portion, surpassing more than 80% of the overall costs involved in software development. Refactoring, a widely embraced technique, plays a crucial role in streamlining and minimizing maintenance activities and expenses. However, the effect of refactoring techniques on quality attributes presents inconsistent and conflicting findings, making it challenging for software developers to enhance software quality effectively. Additionally, the absence of a comprehensive framework further complicates the decision-making process for developers when selecting appropriate refactoring techniques aligned with specific design objectives. In light of these considerations, this research aims to introduce a novel framework for classifying refactoring techniques based on their measurable influence on internal quality attributes. Initially, an exploratory study was conducted to identify commonly employed refactoring techniques, followed by an experimental analysis involving five case studies to evaluate the effects of these techniques on internal quality attributes. Subsequently, the framework was constructed based on the outcomes of the exploratory and experimental studies, further reinforced by a multi-case analysis. Comprising three key components, namely the methodology for applying refactoring techniques, the Quality Model for Object-Oriented Design (QMOOD), and the classification scheme for refactoring techniques, this proposed framework serves as a valuable guideline for developers. By comprehending the effect of each refactoring technique on internal quality attributes, developers can make informed decisions and select suitable techniques to enhance specific aspects of their software. Consequently, this framework optimizes developers' time and effort by minimizing the need to weigh the pros and cons of different refactoring techniques, potentially leading to a reduction in maintenance activities and associated costs.

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Refactoring Codes to Improve Software Security Requirements

Cited by 14 publications

References 15 publications

Revisiting Scenarios of Using Refactoring Techniques to Improve Software Systems Quality

Revisiting Scenarios of Using Refactoring Techniques to Improve Software Systems Quality

Optimized Refactoring Mechanisms to Improve Quality Characteristics in Object-Oriented Systems

A Refactoring Classification Framework for Efficient Software Maintenance

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