Physics – Condensed Matter – Statistical Mechanics
Scientific paper
2003-05-23
Phys. Rev. E 68, 046116 (2003)
Physics
Condensed Matter
Statistical Mechanics
16 pages, 8 figures; changed content, corrected typos
Scientific paper
10.1103/PhysRevE.68.046116
Software systems emerge from mere keystrokes to form intricate functional networks connecting many collaborating modules, objects, classes, methods, and subroutines. Building on recent advances in the study of complex networks, I have examined software collaboration graphs contained within several open-source software systems, and have found them to reveal scale-free, small-world networks similar to those identified in other technological, sociological, and biological systems. I present several measures of these network topologies, and discuss their relationship to software engineering practices. I also present a simple model of software system evolution based on refactoring processes which captures some of the salient features of the observed systems. Some implications of object-oriented design for questions about network robustness, evolvability, degeneracy, and organization are discussed in the wake of these findings.
No associations
LandOfFree
Software systems as complex networks: structure, function, and evolvability of software collaboration graphs does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Software systems as complex networks: structure, function, and evolvability of software collaboration graphs, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Software systems as complex networks: structure, function, and evolvability of software collaboration graphs will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-427111