Maus cheiros de código em PowerScript: uma proposta de catálogo

Abstract

This work proposes a catalog of code smells for PowerScript systems, a legacy programming language. Despite its continued use in local companies, there is a notable scarcity of documented best practices for this language. The catalog was built through empirical and documentary research, identifying 21 smells, divided into 10 common to other languages and 11 specific to the PowerScript context. The proposal was validated via a case study, where a questionnaire was conducted with 11 experienced professionals at an industry company. The results confirmed the relevance and frequency of the listed issues, with 9 participants “strongly agreeing” that the catalog contributes to improving code quality and maintainability. Specific smells, such as Unmanaged Object Lifetime and DataWindow Object Reference, were highlighted as among the most relevant by the participants. The proposed catalog is expected to assist developers in improving code quality and facilitating the maintenance of PowerScript systems.