Assessing the influence of import-coupling on OCL expression maintainability: A cognitive theory-based perspective

摘要: The aim of this paper is to present the definition measures for import-coupling OCL expressions, along with empirical validation these as early indicators maintainability expressions. This has been carried out by means an experiment and its replica, conducted undergraduate students Spanish Argentinean universities, respectively. To perform experimental activity, we have followed a cognitive theory-based approach, since understanding demands that expressions place on software engineers will allow us examine in greater depth real influence results, obtained through analysis data from first all separately then together after meta-analysis study, reveal evidence suggesting exerts certain amount comprehensibility modifiability most expression are those related problem objects (Number Navigated Relationships (NNR), Weighted Number Navigations (WNN), Depth (DN) Attributes referred (NAN)), relationships between Classes (NNC) Explicit Iterator variables (NEI)), well reified (Weighted Collections Operations (WNCO)). On other hand, it only main modifiability. was reaffirmed complexity (i.e. show affects latter influences comprehension modification expressions). These results may educational implications, apart what they might mean practitioners industry, explained conclusions.