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Using patterns for the refinement and translationof UML models: A controlled experiment

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Abstract

This paper presents a controlled experiment, conducted at the University of Kaiserslautern which evaluates an approach known as SORT, for the systematic refinement and translation of UML Diagrams. Specifically, the experiment investigates the effects of SORT, with respect to the mapping of object-oriented UML design models to source code, by comparing the effects of different approaches to such mappings (SORT and ad-hoc1) on the quality attributes understandability, verifiability, and effort (time). The experimental results demonstrate that OO systems developed by applying SORT are more understandable and verifiable. In summary, SORT can help to improve the quality of software systems, but its application alone does not guarantee quality.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering, Fraunhoferplatz 1, 67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany

    Christian Bunse

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  1. Christian Bunse
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Correspondence to Christian Bunse.

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Editor: Murray Wood

1The mapping strategy followed by most mainstream methods is based on personal experience and general mapping guidelines. Thus, mappings are performed on an individual basis without systematic guidance (i.e., these approaches can be characterized as “ad-hoc” mapping approaches).

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Bunse, C. Using patterns for the refinement and translationof UML models: A controlled experiment. Empir Software Eng 11, 227–267 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10664-006-6403-7

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