Objectives

Our overall project objectives are to more fully characterize framework reuse by extending our current hooks model [Froehlich et al, ICSE97] and to investigate and verify the effectiveness of documenting frameworks according to this model when compared to current practice. In achieving this, we also plan to develop tools and quality system and process support for framework development, evolution and documentation.

The core of our research to date is found in our hooks and frameworks papers [Froehlich et. al. 1997, 1998, 1999], and the work of Garry Froehlich’s Ph.D. dissertation [2000]. Our plans in the short and long term are as follows:

Short-term
  1. Extend/enhance the hooks model to more clearly define hook evolution and OO framework evolution.
  2. Gather further framework development experience (i.e., continue to evolve and record our experience with some of the frameworks we have developed so far).
  3. Develop general processes for OO framework evolution and use.
  4. Develop a UML based tool that supports the processes in step 3 for OO framework.

Long-term
  1. Experiment and improve the processes and tools outlined in steps 3 and 4 by using them in the evolution of at least two significant OO-frameworks: one that already exists and one that will be built from scratch.
  2. Determine key product and process metrics for OO-frameworks and then instrument the tool set in step 4 with metric collection agents.
  3. Investigate and incorporate intelligent OO framework user assistants that would guide framework users in adapting a framework.
  4. Investigate the use of and create an experience base for a framework that could aid in activities such as project planning and management, review guidance and selection, and framework evolution.
  5. Add special capabilities to aid in the generation and maintenance of regression test harnesses for OO frameworks.