A Metrics-based Framework for Estimating the Maintainability of Object-Oriented Software

Abstract

Time,  effort  and  money  required  in  maintaining software has always  been  considered  greater  than  its  development  time. Also, its ambiguity in forecast at early stage of software development makes the process more complicated. The early estimation of maintainability will significantly help software designers to adjust the software product, if there is any fault, in early stages of designing. By doing this; time, effort and money required in maintaining software will be lessened. Although Object Oriented Software Development (OOSD) approach is equipped for enhancing software maintainability, a method for finding out if the required level of maintenance is being achieved amid the development process is required. This can be accomplished through measurement. This paper outlines the need and importance of maintainability at design phase and develops a Metrics-Based Maintainability Estimation Framework for Object-Oriented software(MEFOOS) that estimates the maintainability of object oriented software components in regard of their Understandability, Modifiability and Portability—which are the sub-attributes of maintainability.

Keywords: Software maintenance, Software Maintainability, maintainability model, Software Metrics, Software Component

DOI: 10.7176/JIEA/9-4-02

Publication date:June 30^th 2019