Understanding source code evolution using abstract syntax tree matching

Iulian Neamtiu; Jeffrey S. Foster; Michael Hicks

doi:10.1145/1083142.1083143

Understanding source code evolution using abstract syntax tree matching

Iulian Neamtiu, Jeffrey S. Foster, Michael Hicks

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

148 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mining software repositories at the source code level can provide a greater understanding of how software evolves. We present a tool for quickly comparing the source code of different versions of a C program. The approach is based on partial abstract syntax tree matching, and can track simple changes to global variables, types and functions. These changes can characterize aspects of software evolution useful for answering higher level questions. In particular, we consider how they could be used to inform the design of a dynamic software updating system. We report results based on measurements of various versions of popular open source programs, including BIND, OpenSSH, Apache, Vsftpd and the Linux kernel.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	Proceedings of the 2005 International Workshop on Mining Software Repositories, MSR 2005
Publisher	Association for Computing Machinery, Inc
ISBN (Print)	1595931236, 9781595931238
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1145/1083142.1083143
State	Published - May 17 2005
Externally published	Yes
Event	2005 International Workshop on Mining Software Repositories, MSR 2005 - St. Louis, United States Duration: May 17 2005 → …

Publication series

Name	Proceedings of the 2005 International Workshop on Mining Software Repositories, MSR 2005

Conference

Conference	2005 International Workshop on Mining Software Repositories, MSR 2005
Country/Territory	United States
City	St. Louis
Period	5/17/05 → …

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Software
Computer Science Applications

Keywords

Abstract syntax trees
Software evolution
Source code analysis

Access to Document

10.1145/1083142.1083143

Cite this

Neamtiu, I., Foster, J. S., & Hicks, M. (2005). Understanding source code evolution using abstract syntax tree matching. In Proceedings of the 2005 International Workshop on Mining Software Repositories, MSR 2005 (Proceedings of the 2005 International Workshop on Mining Software Repositories, MSR 2005). Association for Computing Machinery, Inc. https://doi.org/10.1145/1083142.1083143

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title = "Understanding source code evolution using abstract syntax tree matching",

abstract = "Mining software repositories at the source code level can provide a greater understanding of how software evolves. We present a tool for quickly comparing the source code of different versions of a C program. The approach is based on partial abstract syntax tree matching, and can track simple changes to global variables, types and functions. These changes can characterize aspects of software evolution useful for answering higher level questions. In particular, we consider how they could be used to inform the design of a dynamic software updating system. We report results based on measurements of various versions of popular open source programs, including BIND, OpenSSH, Apache, Vsftpd and the Linux kernel.",

keywords = "Abstract syntax trees, Software evolution, Source code analysis",

author = "Iulian Neamtiu and Foster, {Jeffrey S.} and Michael Hicks",

year = "2005",

month = may,

day = "17",

doi = "10.1145/1083142.1083143",

language = "English (US)",

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Neamtiu, I, Foster, JS & Hicks, M 2005, Understanding source code evolution using abstract syntax tree matching. in Proceedings of the 2005 International Workshop on Mining Software Repositories, MSR 2005. Proceedings of the 2005 International Workshop on Mining Software Repositories, MSR 2005, Association for Computing Machinery, Inc, 2005 International Workshop on Mining Software Repositories, MSR 2005, St. Louis, United States, 5/17/05. https://doi.org/10.1145/1083142.1083143

Understanding source code evolution using abstract syntax tree matching. / Neamtiu, Iulian; Foster, Jeffrey S.; Hicks, Michael.
Proceedings of the 2005 International Workshop on Mining Software Repositories, MSR 2005. Association for Computing Machinery, Inc, 2005. (Proceedings of the 2005 International Workshop on Mining Software Repositories, MSR 2005).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

TY - GEN

T1 - Understanding source code evolution using abstract syntax tree matching

AU - Neamtiu, Iulian

AU - Foster, Jeffrey S.

AU - Hicks, Michael

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N2 - Mining software repositories at the source code level can provide a greater understanding of how software evolves. We present a tool for quickly comparing the source code of different versions of a C program. The approach is based on partial abstract syntax tree matching, and can track simple changes to global variables, types and functions. These changes can characterize aspects of software evolution useful for answering higher level questions. In particular, we consider how they could be used to inform the design of a dynamic software updating system. We report results based on measurements of various versions of popular open source programs, including BIND, OpenSSH, Apache, Vsftpd and the Linux kernel.

AB - Mining software repositories at the source code level can provide a greater understanding of how software evolves. We present a tool for quickly comparing the source code of different versions of a C program. The approach is based on partial abstract syntax tree matching, and can track simple changes to global variables, types and functions. These changes can characterize aspects of software evolution useful for answering higher level questions. In particular, we consider how they could be used to inform the design of a dynamic software updating system. We report results based on measurements of various versions of popular open source programs, including BIND, OpenSSH, Apache, Vsftpd and the Linux kernel.

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T3 - Proceedings of the 2005 International Workshop on Mining Software Repositories, MSR 2005

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Understanding source code evolution using abstract syntax tree matching

Abstract

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Conference

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Keywords

Access to Document

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