8 Final remarks

An approach for a software reuse system based on the processing of the descriptions in natural language of software components has been presented, emphasizing the features of its retrieval mechanism.

With a first prototype of the system, implemented in BIMprolog for a SUN platform, some experiments are being carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of both the classification and retrieval mechanisms. The following test beds are being used: C language library functions of the Unix Interface Reference Manual; Unix commands of Commands Reference Manual and UNIX-related freeware of Prime Time Freeware. Experiments aim also at comparing the retrieval effectiveness of the proposed system with available information and software retrieval systems (e.g. "man -k" and WAIS). More elaborated retrieval mechanisms, like boolean retrieval, will also be implemented in order to be used in comparative experimental work with our retrieval approach.

Further research is ongoing to increase the capabilities of the current system. Basically, we would like to include support for more complex software descriptions (like paragraphs); increase the assistance to the selection and customization processes; define mechanisms for acquiring knowledge of reuse experiences and introduce mechanisms for query refinement.

References


This is a section of a local copy of the paper A Similarity Measure for Retrieving Software Artifacts by M. R. Girardi and B. Ibrahim.

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