An empirical study to assess the effects of refactoring on software maintainability

摘要: Maintenance is the most expensive phase of software and during this process refactoring performed to improve code without affecting its external behaviour. This study examines effects on maintainability using five proprietary systems. Internal quality attributes were measured design metrics suite whereas such as level abstraction, understandability, modifiability, extensibility reusability through expert opinion. The original versions are compared with refactored changes in mapped maintainability. results reveal that significantly improves enhances life. It was also found even though very tedious might introduce errors if not implemented utmost care, it still advisable frequently refactor increase Results useful project managers identifying opportunities while maintaining a perfect balance between reengineering over-engineering.