Understanding someone else's code: Analysis of experiences

It is the intention of the Journal of Systems and Software to publish, from time to time, articles cut from a different mold. This is one in that series. The object of the CONTROVERSY CORNER articles is both to present information and to stimulate thought. Topics chosen for this coverage are not just traditional formal discussions of research work; they also contain ideas at the fringes of the field's «conventional wisdom.» This series will succeed only to the extent that it stimulates not just thought, but action. If you have a strong reaction to the article that follows, either positive or negative, write to Robert L. Glass, Editor, Journal of Systems and Software, Computing Trends, P.O. Box 213, State College, PA 16804. We will publish the best of the responses as CONTROVERSY REVISITED