Using changeset descriptions as a data source to assist feature location

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Feature location attempts to assist developers in discovering functionality in source code. Many textual feature location techniques utilize information retrieval and rely on comments and identifiers of source code to describe software entities. An interesting alternative would be to employ the changeset descriptions of the code altered in that changeset as a data source to describe such software entities. To investigate this we implement a technique utilizing changeset descriptions and conduct an empirical study to observe this technique's overall performance. Moreover, we study how the granularity (i.e. file or method level of software entities) and changeset range inclusion (i.e. most recent or all historical changesets) affect such an approach. The results of a preliminary study with Rhino and Mylyn. Tasks systems suggest that the approach could lead to a potentially efficient feature location technique. They also suggest that it is advantageous in terms of the effort to configure the technique at method level granularity and that older changesets from older systems may reduce the effectiveness of the technique.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2015 IEEE 15th International Working Conference on Source Code Analysis and Manipulation, SCAM 2015 - Proceedings
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages51-60
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)9781467375290
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 Nov 2015
EventIEEE 15th International Working Conference on Source Code Analysis and Manipulation, SCAM 2015 - Bremen, Germany
Duration: 27 Sep 201528 Sep 2015

Publication series

Name2015 IEEE 15th International Working Conference on Source Code Analysis and Manipulation, SCAM 2015 - Proceedings

Conference

ConferenceIEEE 15th International Working Conference on Source Code Analysis and Manipulation, SCAM 2015
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityBremen
Period27/09/1528/09/15

Keywords

  • Feature location
  • information retrieval
  • software repositories

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