A major problem in the production of software is that it is of low quality-late, unreliable, difficult to test or maintain, and of reduced functionality. The long term goal of my research is to develop methods for improving the quality of software. I have focused on developing measures of software quality, techniques for improving the comprehensibility of computer programs, and investigating the system documentation process. The goal of software complexity measures research is to identify a small set of computer program characteristics that have an adverse effect on programming tasks, such as testing or maintenance. Recently I have investigated metrics for object-oriented programs.
Program comprehension is an important part of most programming tasks.
Techniques for improving program comprehension include typographic style., signaling, and literate programming. A four level model and assessment questionnaire has been developed for the system documentation process. An assessment report generated from the questionnaire responses gives a maturity level, documentation practices profile, and an action plan. My research has direct application in improving the quality of software and the productivity of programmers. Copyright 2000, All Rights Reserved.