Error localization during software maintenance: generating hierarchical system descriptions from the source code alone

An empirical study is presented that investigates hierarchical software system descriptions that are based on measures of cohesion and coupling. The study evaluates the effectiveness of the hierarchical descriptions in identifying error-prone system structure. The measurement of cohesion and coupling is based on intrasystem interaction in terms of software data bindings. The measurement of error-proneness is based on software error data collected from high-level system design through system test; some error data from system operation are also included. The data bindings software analysis and supporting tools are described, followed by the data analysis, interpretations of the results, and some conclusions