Towards human-centric software complexity metrics: a neuroscience-based approach

Gao Hao

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Current code complexity metrics used in the software industry do not consider the human factor from an individual perspective (i.e., the programmer, or tester). In software development, the developers play a critical and fundamental role to accomplish each development activity, and the limitations induced by them are inevitable. Therefore, the ability to capture perceived code complexity accurately is very important for the software quality and its adequate maintenance. This Ph.D. thesis focuses on exploring the possible approaches to incorporating a human-centric dimension in software complexity assessment and management. To reach this purpose, we use the information captured from wearable and non-intrusive devices (e.g., ECG and Eye-tracking with Pupillography) to identify the relevant cognitive states (such as mental effort, stress and mental fatigue) of individual developers during the software development process, and use such data to develop new complexity metrics that consider the genuine human perception of the challenges in comprehending code. Expected new human-centric code complexity metrics must consider the developers' perspective and provide an accurate assessment of software complexity to improve the software's quality and reduce bugs, time consumed, and unnecessary costs.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings - 2023 IEEE 34th International Symposium on Software Reliability Engineering Workshop, ISSREW 2023
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages30-33
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)9798350319569
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023
Event34th IEEE International Symposium on Software Reliability Engineering Workshop, ISSREW 2023 - Florence, Italy
Duration: 9 Oct 202312 Oct 2023

Publication series

NameProceedings - 2023 IEEE 34th International Symposium on Software Reliability Engineering Workshop, ISSREW 2023

Conference

Conference34th IEEE International Symposium on Software Reliability Engineering Workshop, ISSREW 2023
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityFlorence
Period9/10/2312/10/23

Keywords

  • Code complexity metric
  • Cognitive load
  • NeuroSE
  • Software quality

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