The naming of systems and software evolvability

Abstract

Software systems are unlike most entities whose existence, persistence, development, and integrity as single individuals are presupposed by ordinary acts of naming. This paper broaches the issue of how naming practices in software evolution may significantly impact software maintenance and evolvability. We explore how naming in the realm of software is unlike naming of other types of phenomena to which we apply usual human naming practices. Such naming practices have been naively generalized to the realm of software. In the software realm, naming practices have been co-opted for political roles in reification as well as in the mobilization of commitment and resources.