What programmers say about refactoring tools?: an empirical investigation of stack overflow

Abstract

Programmers often use forums, such as StackOverflow, to easily and quickly solve their issues. Researchers then investigate those questions to better understand the state-of-use of software engineering techniques. Also, due to the quality and the great number questions and answers, the results found using such method might be difficult, or even impossible, to find using common survey techniques. In this study, we conducted a qualitative and quantitative research in order to categorize questions about refactoring tools. As a result, we presented a comprehensive classification of flaws and desirable features in refactoring tools. We also reported that programmers do not often rely on refactoring tools, but, at the same time, they are desiring number of unimplemented features.