Smell the coffee! Uncovering Java analysis issues

Abstract

The article sets out to address some of the issues that occur when there is a need to utilise analysis and manipulation techniques on Java source code. Unfortunately, Java has been largely ignored within academia with more interest still being expressed in COBOL, C, and C++. This is a problem because of the utilisation of Java in industry and the need to be able to analyse and comprehend systems that are already in existence. Java programs have the same problems as with those written in other languages; but there are also some that are more related to Java and the object-oriented paradigm, and also to the newer initiatives that Java is now involved with. The paper presents a survey of these issues and seeks to stimulate discussion and possible solutions for them.