Evaluating refactorings for spreadsheet models

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2016

Authors

Cunha, J (Author) Other; Joao Paulo Fernandes (Author) Other; Martins, P (Author) Other; Mendes, J (Author) Other; Pereira, R (Author) Other; Saraiva, J (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of Systems and Software

Vol. 118

Pages: 234-250

ISSN: 0164-1212

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 2 Citations

Scopus - 2 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00K-H9Y

DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2016.04.043

Abstract (EN): Software refactoring is a well-known technique that provides transformations on software artifacts with the aim of improving their overall quality. We have previously proposed a catalog of refactorings for spreadsheet models expressed in the ClassSheets modeling language, which allows us to specify the business logic of a spreadsheet in an object-oriented fashion. Reasoning about spreadsheets at the model level enhances a model-driven spreadsheet environment where a ClassSheet model and its conforming instance (spreadsheet data) automatically co-evolves after applying a refactoring at the model level. Research motivation was to improve the model and its conforming instance: the spreadsheet data. In this paper we define such refactorings using previously proposed evolution steps for models and instances. We also present an empirical study we designed and conducted in order to confirm our original intuition that these refactorings have a positive impact on end-user productivity, both in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. The results are not only presented in terms of productivity changes between refactored and nonrefactored scenarios, but also the overall user satisfaction, relevance, and experience. In almost all cases the refactorings improved end-users productivity. Moreover, in most cases users were more engaged with the refactored version of the spreadsheets they worked with. 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 17