Contributor analysis of open-source software projects

• Main Author: Haja Kiyasudeen Nusrath Hajara
• Other Authors: Liu Yang
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2024
• Subjects: Computer and Information Science
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/175078
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The development of open-source software needs the collaboration of developers from all over the world. However, the focus of individual developers may vary, making it valuable to identify those dedicated to writing testing cases for comprehensive project understanding. As such, this research explores the collaborative dynamics within contemporary open-source software development, particularly on GitHub, a pivotal platform for version control and collaboration. Focused on the critical aspect of software testing, we investigate the nuanced relationship between method-level changes and alterations in test coverage. Centered on Java-based repositories, the investigation aims to unveil patterns in testing practices, responsiveness to new features, and the impact of code aging. Employing call graphs and static analysis, this project contributes detailed insights into how modifications at the method level directly influence test coverage dynamics. The findings provide developers and maintainers with nuanced understandings to enhance testing practices and improve the efficacy of test suites. Furthermore, the study proposes a metric to quantify contributions to modifying test cases, extending the research’s practical implications for software development and quality assurance.