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ICSE 2021
Mon 17 May - Sat 5 June 2021

Identifier names convey useful information about the intended semantics of code. Name-based program analyses use this information, e.g., to detect bugs, to predict types, and to improve the readability of code. At the core of name-based analyses are semantic representations of identifiers, e.g., in the form of learned embeddings. The high-level goal of such a representation is to encode whether two identifiers, e.g., len and size, are semantically similar. Unfortunately, it is currently unclear to what extent semantic representations match the semantic relatedness and similarity perceived by developers. This paper presents IdBench, the first benchmark for evaluating semantic representations against a ground truth created from thousands of ratings by 500 software developers. We use IdBench to study state-of-the-art embedding techniques proposed for natural language, an embedding technique specifically designed for source code, and lexical string distance functions. Our results show that the effectiveness of semantic representations varies significantly and that the best available embeddings successfully represent semantic relatedness. On the downside, no existing technique provides a satisfactory representation of semantic similarities, among other reasons because identifiers with opposing meanings are incorrectly considered to be similar, which may lead to fatal mistakes, e.g., in a refactoring tool. Studying the strengths and weaknesses of the different techniques shows that they complement each other. As a first step toward exploiting this complementarity, we present an ensemble model that combines existing techniques and that clearly outperforms the best available semantic representation.

Tue 25 May

Displayed time zone: Amsterdam, Berlin, Bern, Rome, Stockholm, Vienna change

19:35 - 20:55
1.5.5. Developers: Naming Methods and VariablesTechnical Track / Journal-First Papers at Blended Sessions Room 5 +12h
Chair(s): José Miguel Rojas University of Leicester, UK
19:35
20m
Paper
How Developers Choose NamesJournal-First
Journal-First Papers
Dror Feitelson Hebrew University, Ayelet Mizrahi Hebrew University, Nofar Noy Hebrew University, Aviad Ben Shabat Hebrew University, Or Eliyahu Hebrew University, Roy Sheffer Hebrew University
Link to publication DOI Pre-print Media Attached
19:55
20m
Paper
IdBench: Evaluating Semantic Representations of Identifier Names in Source CodeTechnical Track
Technical Track
Yaza Wainakh TU Darmstadt, Moiz Rauf University of Stuttgart, Michael Pradel University of Stuttgart
Pre-print Media Attached
20:15
20m
Paper
A Context-based Automated Approach for Method Name Consistency Checking and SuggestionTechnical Track
Technical Track
Yi Li New Jersey Institute of Technology, Shaohua Wang New Jersey Institute of Technology, Tien N. Nguyen University of Texas at Dallas
Pre-print Media Attached
20:35
20m
Paper
On the Naming of Methods: A Survey of Professional DevelopersArtifact ReusableTechnical TrackArtifact Available
Technical Track
Reem S. Alsuhaibani Kent State University, Christian D. Newman Rochester Institute of Technology, Michael J. Decker Bowling Green State University, Michael L. Collard The University of Akron, Jonathan I. Maletic Kent State University
Pre-print Media Attached

Wed 26 May

Displayed time zone: Amsterdam, Berlin, Bern, Rome, Stockholm, Vienna change

07:35 - 08:55
1.5.5. Developers: Naming Methods and VariablesTechnical Track / Journal-First Papers at Blended Sessions Room 5
07:35
20m
Paper
How Developers Choose NamesJournal-First
Journal-First Papers
Dror Feitelson Hebrew University, Ayelet Mizrahi Hebrew University, Nofar Noy Hebrew University, Aviad Ben Shabat Hebrew University, Or Eliyahu Hebrew University, Roy Sheffer Hebrew University
Link to publication DOI Pre-print Media Attached
07:55
20m
Paper
IdBench: Evaluating Semantic Representations of Identifier Names in Source CodeTechnical Track
Technical Track
Yaza Wainakh TU Darmstadt, Moiz Rauf University of Stuttgart, Michael Pradel University of Stuttgart
Pre-print Media Attached
08:15
20m
Paper
A Context-based Automated Approach for Method Name Consistency Checking and SuggestionTechnical Track
Technical Track
Yi Li New Jersey Institute of Technology, Shaohua Wang New Jersey Institute of Technology, Tien N. Nguyen University of Texas at Dallas
Pre-print Media Attached
08:35
20m
Paper
On the Naming of Methods: A Survey of Professional DevelopersArtifact ReusableTechnical TrackArtifact Available
Technical Track
Reem S. Alsuhaibani Kent State University, Christian D. Newman Rochester Institute of Technology, Michael J. Decker Bowling Green State University, Michael L. Collard The University of Akron, Jonathan I. Maletic Kent State University
Pre-print Media Attached