Improving Computer Program Readability to Aid Modification

Abstract

Frequently, when circumstances require that a computer program be modified, the program is found to be extremely difficult to read and understand. In this case a new step to make the program more readable should be added at the beginning of the software modification cycle. A small investment will make (1) the specifications for the modifications easier to write, (2) the estimate of the cost of the modifications more accurate, (3) the design for the modifications simpler, and (4) the implementation of the modifications less error-prone. © 1982, ACM. All rights reserved.