Module Details

Module Code: SOFT9023
Title: Source Code Analysis
Long Title: Source Code Analysis
NFQ Level: Expert
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2021/22 ( September 2021 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 4814 - Computer Software
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: Software analysis is a set of techniques and processes that are utilised to provide an insight into the structure and quality of a software system.

In this module the learner will be introduced to modern methodologies for the analysis and evaluation of a software system's underlying codebase.

The student will undertake a critical analysis of production based code in order to identify required functionalities and an optimal strategy for the modernisation of legacy systems.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Analyse and configure a software parser to identify entities in source code.
LO2 Create different types of relationships between the identified entities such as method calls, class inheritance and containment relationships.
LO3 Evaluate and implement different analytics techniques (e.g., invocation analysis, call graph visualization, clone detection) on the identified entities to detect code smell and interpret the results.
LO4 Evaluate feature location techniques (e.g., structural and textual) for detecting functionalities in the software system.
LO5 Analyse different techniques such as clustering algorithms, formal concept analysis and text-based approaches to identify relevant software artefacts for different purposes (e.g., objectification, cohesive component identification).
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Parser and Source code entity identification
Different Java parsers and their applications. The advantage of using a parser to discover software's components/entities. Overview of a list of different source code entity relationships such as method calls, class inheritance and variable usages.
Software analysis techniques
Overview of a range of source code analysis techniques such as invocation analysis (dead code analysis), inheritance analysis and call graph visualisation. Identifying a sequence of source code that are implemented more than once (code clones). An overview of a range of different code smells.
Feature Location
Feature location and an overview of a number of different FL techniques such as textual and static FL techniques and other related techniques such as query enhancement technique.
Source Code Dependency
Overview of different techniques such as formal concept analysis, clustering algorithms to discover coherent source-code artefacts for various tasks such as source-code migration or modernising legacy code, (objectification).
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 50
Timing Week 7 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
Select and apply a parser for a Java subject system to discover the entities and their relationships to each other and implement analytic techniques such as invocation/dead-code and inheritance analysis, clone detection to detect code smell and investigate the quality of the system.
This is an individual project and an example project would be to develop a Java software system based on a description provided by the lecturer.
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 50
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Select, implement and apply appropriate analytic techniques for a Java subject system such as feature location, objectification and call graph visualisation techniques to evaluate the software system for possible code migration. This is an individual project and an example project would be to develop a Java software system based on a description provided by the lecturer.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Theory and practical aspects of the module. Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Implementation of the practical aspects of the module. Every Week 2.00 2
Independent Learning Non Contact Independent Study. Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Theory and practical aspects of the module. Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Implementation of the practical aspects of the module. Every Week 2.00 2
Independent Learning Non Contact Independent Study. Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Robert C. Martin. (2009), Clean Code : A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship, Pearson Education (US), Upper Saddle River, United States, p.464, [ISBN: 0132350882].
  • Carleton DiLeo. (2019), The Qualities of Clean Code, Apress, Berkeley, CA, [ISBN: 978-1-4842-55].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Terence Parr. (2013), The Definitive ANTLR 4 Reference, 2. The Pragmatic Programmers, Raleigh, United States, p.325, [ISBN: 1934356999].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • Dit, Bogdan and Revelle, Meghan and Gethers, Malcom and Poshyvanyk, Denys. (2013), Feature location in source code: a taxonomy and survey, Journal of software: Evolution and Process, 25 (1), p.53,
    https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/ 10.1002/smr.567
  • Farshad Ghassemi Toosi, Asanka Wasala, Goetz Botterweck and Jim Buckley. (2018), Identification of potential classes in procedural code using a genetic algorithm, GECCO '18 Proceedings of the Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference Companion, July 2018, p.314,
    https://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=32057 20
Supplementary Article/Paper Resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_KSADE_9 Master of Science in Software Architecture & Design 2 Group Elective 1