Code quality analysis in open source software development

Authors: Stamelos I.; Angelis L.; Oikonomou A.; Bleris G.L.

Source: Information Systems Journal, Volume 12, Number 1, January 2002 , pp. 43-60(18)

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $48.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

Proponents of open source style software development claim that better software is produced using this model compared with the traditional closed model. However, there is little empirical evidence in support of these claims. In this paper, we present the results of a pilot case study aiming: (a) to understand the implications of structural quality; and (b) to figure out the benefits of structural quality analysis of the code delivered by open source style development. To this end, we have measured quality characteristics of 100 applications written for Linux, using a software measurement tool, and compared the results with the industrial standard that is proposed by the tool. Another target of this case study was to investigate the issue of modularity in open source as this characteristic is being considered crucial by the proponents of open source for this type of software development. We have empirically assessed the relationship between the size of the application components and the delivered quality measured through user satisfaction. We have determined that, up to a certain extent, the average component size of an application is negatively related to the user satisfaction for this application.

Keywords: Code quality characteristics; open source development; software measurement; structural code analysis; user satisfaction

Document Type: Original article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2575.2002.00117.x

Publication date: 2002-01-01