Slice based metrics for estimating cohesion

Abstract

Previous work has shown that a relationship exists between cohesion and the slice profile of a program. The authors explore the use of several metrics based on such slice profiles to give a quantitative estimate of the level of cohesion in a module. Example modules are used to analyze the behavior of the metric values as the modules are modified such that the cohesion is changed. The sensitivity of the metrics to the various types of changes is discussed.<>