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    A comparative case study of programming language expansion ratios : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Technology in Computing Technology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1989) Lim, Ping Hwee
    An effective size estimation tool must allow an estimate to be obtained early enough to be useful. Some difficulties have been observed in using the traditional lines of code (LOC) measure in software sizing, much of which is due to the need for more detailed design information to be available before an accurate estimate can be achieved. This does not allow the result to be obtained early in the software development process. Moreover, the inherent language-dependency of LOC tends to restrict its use. An alternative measure using Function Point Analysis, developed by Albrecht, has been found to be an effective tool for sizing purposes and allows early sizing. However, the function point measure does not have a sufficient historical base of information for it to be used successfully in all cases with existing models of the software development process. Because lines of code already have a sense of "universality" as the de facto basic measure of software size, it can serve as a useful extension to function points. Language Expansion Ratios are seen as the key in providing such an extension by bridging the gap between function point and lines of code. Several sizing models have made use of expansion ratios in an effort to provide an equivalent size in lines of code in anticipation of its use in productivity studies and related cost models. However, its use has been associated with ranges of variability. The purpose of this thesis is to study Language Expansion Ratios, and the factors affecting them, for several languages based on a standard case study. This thesis surveys the prevailing issues of software size measurement and describes the role and importance of language expansion ratios. It presents the standard case study used and the methodology for the empirical study. The experimental results of measurements of the actual system are analysed and these form the basis for appropriate conclusions on the validity and applicability of the expansion ratios studied. This research shows that the use of Language Expansion Ratios is valid but it is considered inadequate when applied in its present form. This was found to be due to the weighting factors associated with the appropriate function value obtained for the different functional categories of the system.
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    An authoring tool for structuring and annotating on-line educational courses : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Computer Science at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2002) Wang, Yang
    This thesis studies the design and prototype implementation of a new web-based course authoring system for the Technology Integrated Learning Environment (TILE) project. The TILE authoring system edits the course structure and allows the author to annotate the course structure with meta-data. It makes extensive use of XML technology to communicate structured data across the Internet, as well as for both local and web-side databases. The Authoring tool is designed to support development by multiple authors and has check-in and check - out, as well as version control facilities. It also provides an interface for adopting other multimedia tools such as AudioGraph. The tool has an easy-to-use graphical user interface. The technical problems that have been solved in this project include issues such as cross-platform support, drag and drop functionality using JDK l.l.8, etc. System environments, such as relational database set up, XML database set up, Java swing set up in Mac also have been discussed. The authoring system interface analysis, database analysis and function analysis have been completed for the complete the system as specified. An intermediate system, designed to a reduced specification, has been implemented as a prototype and details of this system, which can work independently of the TILE delivery system, are included. The Full TILE authoring system including InstantDB database access also has been partially implemented. The prototype application has also has been tested on the PC platform.
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    On the classification of cyclic dependencies in Java programs : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Computer Science at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2013) Al-Mutawa, Hussain Abdullah A
    Software engineering guidelines and rules discourage cyclic dependencies between modules, yet empirical studies have shown that many software systems are burdened with them. This might indicate that not all cycles are as detrimental to software quality as previously thought. Clearly, a better understanding of the types of cyclic dependencies and their effect on software quality is required. As a first step in this direction, we look closely at the shapes formed by software dependency graphs containing cyclic dependencies. Such cyclic dependencies correspond to the concept of strongly connected components in graph theory. We propose an approach to classify strongly connected components according to their topologies. This allows us to distinguish between dense and sparse, symmetric and asymmetric structures. We extend on previous studies and investigate the relationship between cyclic dependencies and the package containment tree. We validate our approach with experiments based on a corpus of 103 open–source Java systems. We find that cyclic dependencies tend to form in branches of the package containment tree around parent packages that are not critical according to some researchers.
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    M.O.O.T. (meta object oriented tool) : a novel meta-case tool methodology representation strategy : a dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science, Massey University, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 1998) Page, David Charles
    This thesis presents an investigation into current meta-CASE technology. The research focuses on CASE tool support for the concept of methodology, the representation of methodology syntax and semantics, and the support for re-use of methodology descriptions and software artefacts. A novel methodology representation strategy for meta-CASE tools is proposed and implemented with the development of a new meta-CASE tool (MOOT - Meta Object Orientated Tool). The novel strategy propounded in this thesis uses an object-orientated meta-model and views methodology descriptions as potentially re-usable components. The coupling between methodology syntax and semantic descriptions is minimised so they can be reused independently. Two new modelling languages have been derived, to support the definition of syntax (NDL - Notation Definition Language) and semantics (SSL - Semantic Specification Language) of software engineering methodologies. Semantic descriptions are compiled to a platform independent representation (SSL-BC), which is executed on a purpose built virtual machine (SSL-VM). Late binding of syntax and semantic methodology descriptions is implemented with the development of Notation Semantic Mapping (NSM) tables. Two libraries of re-usable methodology description components, the Core Knowledge Base (CKB) and the Generic Object Orientated Knowledge Base (GOOKB), have been derived during this research. Empirical results gained from applying the MOOT prototype demonstrated the flexibility, extensibility and potential of the novel methodology representation strategy. This approach permitted the implementation and modelling of UML and patterns, two recent advances of object technology that did not exist when the research commenced. The novel strategy presented in this thesis is more than an untried theory. It has been implemented, applied and is being evaluated. Simply, it is real and it works.
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    A modelling language for rich internet applications : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science at Massey University, Turitea, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2011) Wright, Jevon Michael
    This thesis presents the Internet Application Modelling Language (IAML), a modelling language to support the model-driven development of Rich Internet Applications (RIAs). This definition includes a visual syntax to support the graphical development of IAML model instances, and the underlying metamodel satisfies the metamodelling and viewpoint architectures of the Model Driven Architecture. While there are many existing modelling languages for web applications, none of these languages were found to be expressive enough to describe fundamental RIA concepts such as client-side events and user interaction. This thesis therefore presents IAML as a new language that reuses existing standards where appropriate. IAML is supported by a proof-of-concept CASE tool within the Eclipse framework, and released under an open source license to encourage industry use. This reference implementation successfully integrates a number of different model-driven technologies to demonstrate the expressiveness of the modelling language. The IAML metamodel supports many features not found in other web application modelling languages, such as Event-Condition-Action rules; the expression of reusable patterns through Wires; and a metamodel core based on first-order logic. Through the implementation of the RIA benchmarking application Ticket 2.0, the concepts behind the design of IAML have been shown to simplify the development of real-world RIAs when compared to conventional web application frameworks.