Execution-based retrieval of object-oriented classes: An improved method.

Software reuse has become a topic of much interest in the software community due to its potential benefits, which include increased product quality and productivity and decreased product cost and time. The software reusability can be enhanced by the Object-Oriented approach. The potential problem in software reuse is to find an effective and efficient way to retrieve the candidate components from the library. An improved methodology of retrieval by execution on object-oriented (OO) classes is proposed in this thesis. The system allows users to enter the data on the constructor, observer and modifier in order. The system then organizes them into a test program and executes the classes from the selected library. Finally, the system returns to the user a list of candidates according to the matching number of methods and constructors. The user does not need to take care of the argument order, and the system handles each case. This proposed method is the first retrieval by execution that works on OO classes and discloses the complete class behavior. Characteristics of OO components such as information hiding, inheritance, overloading and overriding are fully considered. Compared with the previous execution-based retrieval method, this method greatly improves the retrieval precision, recall and efficiency. A prototype system, called EBCRS, is developed using HTML, JavaScript, Applet and Servlets. This system could be used to retrieve, browse and save the Java classes from the class library. It also allows the administrator to manage the class library such as adding to and deleting from the class library. This system is Internet and Intranet ready. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis2001 .X8. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 42-01, page: 0270. Adviser: Young G. Park. Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 2001