Social network analysis and software evolution: A perspective method for software architecture analysis

Abstract

Present day software is largely composed of smaller manageable units which work together to overcome a larger problem. Considering software system as a network of connected software elements, e.g. service oriented architecture, it would be eligible to methods for analyzing networks, e.g. social network analysis. This paper presents a theoretical foundation for applying social network analysis on service oriented architecture and deriving technique for analysis of a software system focusing on the evolution, architectural decisions and non-functional properties (maintainability, dependability, availability).