Uma validação das leis de Lehman: uma investigação quantitativa no desenvolvimento de software moderno

Abstract

This study investigates the applicability and relevance of Lehman’s Laws in the current context of software development, using a quantitative approach to analyze three modern systems: Dropwizard, K-9 Mail, and LanguageTool. Through the Goal Question Metric (GQM) framework, the research empirically validates Lehman’s Laws, which describe fundamental principles of software evolution, such as continuous change, increasing complexity, and conservation of organizational stability. The study is divided into two main stages. The first stage involves analyzing the evolution metrics of the three selected software systems, verifying their compliance with Lehman’s Laws. The second stage utilizes the lessons learned to develop practical guidelines that can be applied to software development and maintenance. The results confirm that Lehman’s Laws are applicable and relevant to modern software systems, providing a theoretical foundation for guiding development and maintenance practices. The analyzed metrics demonstrate growth and complexity patterns that corroborate Lehman’s proposed laws. Additionally, the study offers a summary of the lessons learned and practical guidelines for developers and maintenance teams, aiming to improve adaptability, reduce complexity, and ensure the continuous quality of systems. These guidelines are based on empirical evidence collected and offer recommendations for the efficient evolution of software. The main contributions of this work include the empirical validation of Lehman’s Laws, the application of the GQM framework as a methodological basis, and the creation of practical guidelines based on the lessons learned.