“Ten years ago we (Seyed Mehdi Nasehi, Jonathan Sillito, Frank Maurer, and Chris Burns) published a paper at ICSME called “What Makes a Good Code Example? A Study of Programming Q&A in StackOverflow” that has been cited 382 times. In this talk, I will briefly summarize the results of that work, but more importantly discuss what has happened in the ten years since. This discussion will cover work that has evaluated: (1) the reliability of code examples posted in forums, such as StackOverflow, (2) the value and use of code examples in API documentation, and (3) the reuse of code examples posted to StackOverflow. I will conclude the talk, by discussing code generation tools (such as GitHub Copilot and Polycoder) in the context of learning from code examples.”

Seyed Mehdi Nasehi, Jonathan Sillito, Frank Maurer, and Chris Burns

Mark Harman

Software Engineer, Meta Platforms Inc., London.

Title: Challenges in testing and evolving large systems

Abstract: This talk describes experiences in testing and bug fixing on large systems, such as Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, operated by Meta Platforms Inc. The talk will consider automatic test case generation, execution and onward repair and evolution. The talk will focus on simulation based approaches to testing, including Sapienz and WW. These simulation-based testing technologies have been deployed to test systems of over 100 million lines of lines of code, daily relied upon by over 2.88 billion people for communications, business, social media and community building (3.65Bn monthly active users). Testing, and in particular automation of onward evolution at this scale poses considerable challenges for scalability. The talk will conclude with open problems and challenges for the research community working on maintenance and evolution of software systems.

Roberto Di Cosmo

Title: Software Heritage: a revolutionary infrastructure for Open Science and Open Source

Abstract: Open Science is a tidal wave that is expected to have a deep and long lasting impact on the way we conduct, share and evaluate research awareness is rising about the fact that software has a key role to play, on par with open access to research articles and data, and that it comes with specific challenges when it comes to archiving, referencing, describing and citing research software. Open Source is at the heart of our digital society and embodies a growing part of our technical and organisational knowledge. It speeds up innovation, but also raises key challenges about the quality, evolution and security of the many components that are put together in modern software systems: how to be sure that the source code of a key module we use will be still there when we need it in the future?  do we really know what source code we are using, and where it comes from? how can we adress cybersecurity if we do not know? how do we share this information across the software supply chain?

In this talk we will survey policy news and explore in depth the approach taken by the Software Heritage, an open non-profit initiative, in partnership with Unesco, to preserve, reference and share all the publicly available source code. With 12 billions unique source files from 180 million repositories, it is the
largest archive of source code ever built, and provides the key shared infrastructure to address these questions in the long term.

Paige Rodeghero

Clemson University

Title: “Hello, World!” Teaching, Onboarding and Supporting Novices & Newcomers 

Abstract:  Entering into an established codebase is, objectively, no fun. Learning how everything works and ties together is a difficult assignment on its own, and it is often compounded from a distinct lack of support given by past and present developers. Cutting down the initial hurdles into a codebase is not only useful within companies that want to do right by their new hires onboarding, but is critical within open-source projects that are inadvertentily pushing away potential contributors. Software development in general is itself challenging for newcomers. Particularly for the neuro-diverse population, who may find standard learning material less effective. This talk will focus on my research into onboarding within Microsoft, open-source community interactions, and autistic-developer focused software education. This talk will discuss various pain-points developers experience and will cover beneficial strategies for codebases and communities. In short, this talk is about how we can best live up to the iconic phrase: “Hello, World!”

Tour & Conference Banquet

Date: Thursday, 6th of October
Departure Time: 18:30
Departure From: The Venue Hotel

We will get together at the lobby of the Venue Hotel, from where we will promptly depart in air-conditioned coaches for a city tour.  A professional guide will tell us about the history of Cyprus and Limassol Town in particular. Dinner will  take place at the Mezedopagida traditional, award winning tavern,  serving excellent dishes of Cypriot cuisine. Our dinner will be complimented with local drinks and desserts and live music. 

The Conference Dinner is included in ICSME Registration fees.

Ticket per accompanying person or Reduced Fee participant: 70 euro

Welcome Reception

Date: Wednesday, 5th of October
Time: 18:30
Where: Venue Hotel Pool Veranda

Welcome Reception is the first social gathering between all conference delegates and it will take place at the Venue Hotel. It will be a relaxing evening during which delegates will have the opportunity to talk to colleagues and peers, while enjoying local drinks and ample canapés.

The Welcome Cocktail is included in all Registration Types.

Ticket per accompanying person : 40 euro