Applying design-metrics to object-oriented frameworks

Presents a novel way of using object-oriented design metrics to support the incremental development of object-oriented programs. Based on a quality model (the factor-criteria-metrics model), so-called multi-metrics relate a number of simple structural measurements to design principles and rules. Single components of an object-oriented program like classes or subsystems are analyzed to determine whether they conform to specific design goals. Concise measurement reports, together with detailed explanations of the obtained values, identify problem spots in system design and give hints for improvement. This allows the designer to measure and evaluate programs at an appropriate level of abstraction. This paper details the use of the multi-metrics approach for the design and improvement of a framework for industry and its use for graphical applications. Multi-metrics tools were used with several versions of the framework. The measurement results were used in design reviews to quantify the effects of efforts to reorganize the framework. The results showed that this approach was very effective at giving good feedback, even to very experienced software developers. It helped them to improve their software and to create stable system designs