Evolving legacy systems features using regression test cases and components

There is a constant need for practical, efficient and cost-effective software evolution techniques. We propose a novel evolution methodology that integrates the concepts of features and component-based software engineering (CBSE). We collect information about a legacy system's features through interviews with key developers, users of the system and analyzing the existing regression test cases. We found that regression test cases are untapped resources, as far as information about system features is concerned. By exercising each feature with their associated test cases using code profilers and similar tools, we are able to locate code that we can refactor to create components. These components are then inserted back into the legacy system, ensuring a working system structure. Our methodology has three parts, part one addresses identification of features using regression test cases, part two addresses refractoring and creation of components and part three measures the results of evolution.