In this book, a comprehensive examination of object-oriented class cohesion measurement is presented. The book aims to clarify the theoretical foundations of class cohesion, provide an in-depth understanding of existing cohesion measures, and critically evaluate their validity and applicability. It is designed for researchers, software engineers, and graduate students interested in software quality assessment and measurement theory. Chapter 1 introduces the fundamental models used to represent class members and their interactions. It explains how class cohesion can be modeled using graph-based and matrix-based representations, each capable of capturing both direct and indirect interactions between methods and attributes. The chapter also discusses how these models can express method-method interactions through invocations, and method-attribute interactions through attribute references, including cases involving attribute or parameter types.
Chapter 2 presents twenty established class cohesion measures, each derived from one of the models described in Chapter 1. These measures are grouped into three main categories according to their measurement approach: those that consider the use of attributes or types, those that focus on the sharing of attributes or types, and those based on graph connectivity concepts. Practical examples are included to demonstrate how each measure can be applied in assessing class cohesion.
Chapter 3 evaluates the theoretical validity of the considered cohesion measures by examining their compliance with essential cohesion properties.
Chapter 4 discusses advanced topics related to cohesion measurement. These include the assessment of measure applicability, the consideration of data encapsulation effects, and the treatment of special methods in cohesion analysis. These topics extend the discussion beyond theoretical and empirical validity and contribute to a deeper understanding of how cohesion measures perform in realistic software engineering contexts.
Together, these chapters provide a systematic exploration of class cohesion measurement - from foundational modeling concepts to advanced considerations. The book as a whole aims to guide readers toward both a conceptual understanding and a critical appreciation of how class cohesion can be effectively measured and interpreted in object-oriented software systems.
