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Cited by 343

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 1 of the 1 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

How software engineers use documentation: the state of the practice

Lethbridge, T.C., Singer, J., Forward, A.·2003·IEEE Software
DOI 10.1109/ms.2003.1241364
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Abstract

Software engineering is a human task, and as such we must study what software engineers do and think. Understanding the normative practice of software engineering is the first step toward developing realistic solutions to better facilitate the engineering process. We conducted three studies using several data-gathering approaches to elucidate the patterns by which software engineers (SEs) use and update documentation. Our objective is to more accurately comprehend and model documentation use, usefulness, and maintenance, thus enabling better decision making and tool design by developers and project managers. Our results confirm the widely held belief that SEs typically do not update documentation as timely or completely as software process personnel and managers advocate. However, the results also reveal that out-of-date software documentation remains useful in many circumstances.

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Metadata

Authors
Lethbridge, T. C., Singer, J., & Forward, A.
Venue
IEEE Software
Publisher
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Published
2003-11
Volume
20
Issue
6
Pages
35-39
ISSN
0740-7459 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1109/ms.2003.1241364
OpenAlex
W1989526951
Cited by
343
References
1
FWCI
14.98
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed

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