摘要：Simplification of execution traces is peculiarly important in the case of
software comprehension. The objective is to make execution traces in ways that are
more tractable and less difficult. However, the simplification process is a difficult
task, particularly, in object-oriented contexts. Due to coupling, execution traces of
object-oriented systems involve the Spaghetti Architectures phenomenon, which is a
very complicated structure of dependencies. Therefore, the simplification process
needs a well-established approach to be helpful for software comprehension.
Otherwise, the simplified execution traces will be informative as their structures will
involve several gaps that lead to a misunderstanding process. This research uses
decoupling to guide the simplification of object-oriented execution traces.
Specifically, decoupling truthfully can decrease the complexity of execution traces
without eliminating the trace components and making numerous gaps in the trace
structure. Then, decoupling can solve the problem of the Spaghetti Architectures
phenomenon. A controlled experiment was conducted to empirically validate the
usefulness and effectivity of the suggested work. There was a significant statistical
added value demonstrated in the time required and the accurate solutions of the tasks
being solved. More precisely, 25% less time required with a 62% more correct
solutions were achieved solving the experiment’s comprehension tasks.
