3/10/2014

IEEE Xplore Abstract - Analyzing the Eclipse API Usage: Putting the Developer in the Loop

IEEE.org | IEEE Xplore Digital Library | IEEE Standards | IEEE Spectrum | More Sites

C art (0) | C reate Account | Sign In

For Institutional Users:

Institutional Sign In
Athe ns/Shibbole th

Back to Results

Brow se Conference Publications > Softw are Maintenance and Reen ...

Analyzing the Eclipse API Usage:

Putting the Developer in the Loop
3

Full Text
Sign-In or Purchase

Businge, J. ; Eindhoven Univ. of Technol., Eindhoven, Netherlands ; Serebrenik, A. ; van den Brand, M.

Author(s)

Abstract

Authors

References

Cited By

Keywords

Metrics

Similar

Eclipse guidelines distinguish between two types of interfaces provided to third-party developers, i.e.,
APIs and non-APIs. APIs are stable and supported, while non-APIs are unstable, unsupported and
discouraged as they are subject to arbitrary change or removal without notice. In our previous work, we
found that despite the discouragement of Eclipse, the use of non-APIs in Eclipse third-party plug-ins
(ETPs) is not uncommon. Furthermore, we found that these non-APIs are the main cause of ETP
incompatibilities in forthcoming releases of the Eclipse. In the current work we conducted a survey
aiming at understanding why do the ETP developers use non-APIs. We have observed that developers
with a level of education of up to master degree have a tendency not to read product
manuals/guidelines. Furthermore, while for less experienced developers instability of the non-APIs
overshadows their benefits, more experienced developers prefer to enjoy the benefits of non-APIs
despite the instability problem. Finally, we have observed that there are no significant differences

between Open Source and commercial Eclipse products in terms of awareness of Eclipse guidelines

Tw eet

and interfaces, Eclipse product size and updating of Eclipse product in the new SDK releases.

Network
0
Access Published in:
ShareMessage:
Software Maintenance and Reengineering (CSMR), 2013 17th European Conference on
X The page
cannot Date of Conference:
be
5-8 March 2013
displayed
Page(s):

Conference Location :
Genova

Explanation:37 - 46

and it cannot be displayed.

ISSN :
1534-5351

Digital Object Identifier :

10.1109/CSMR.2013.14

Try the following:

Print ISBN:
978-1-4673-5833-0
INSPEC Accession Number:
13446454
If you are still not able to view the requested page, try contacting your
administrator or Helpdesk.

Technical Information (for support personnel)

Sign In | C reate Account

IEEE Account

Purchase Details

Profile Information

Need Help?

C hange Username/Password

Payment Options

C ommunications Preferences

US & Canada: +1 800 678 4333

Update Address

Order History

Profession and Education

Worldwide: +1 732 981 0060

Access Purchased Documents

Technical Interests

C ontact & Support

http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/articleDetails.jsp?tp=&arnumber=6498453&queryText%3DAPIs

1/2

3/10/2014

IEEE Xplore Abstract - Analyzing the Eclipse API Usage: Putting the Developer in the Loop

About IEEE Xplore | Contact | Help | Terms of Use | Nondiscrimination Policy | Site Map | Privacy & Opting Out of Cookies
A not-for-profit organization, IEEE is the world's largest professional association for the advancement of technology.
C opyright 2014 IEEE - All rights reserved. Use of this web site signifies your agreement to the terms and conditions.

http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/articleDetails.jsp?tp=&arnumber=6498453&queryText%3DAPIs

2/2