Dimensions of software evolution

Abstract

Software evolution is usually considered in terms of corrections, improvements and enhancements. While helpful, this approach does not take into account the fundamental dimensions of well-engineered software systems (the domains, experience, and process) and how they themselves evolve and affect the evolution of systems for which they are the context. I discuss each dimension, provide examples to illustrate its various aspects and summarize how evolution in that dimension affects system evolution. Only by taking this holistic approach to evolution can we understand evolution and effectively manage it.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>