Heuristics for determining source code ownership
US8589878B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 22, 2007 |
| Grant date | Nov 19, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 5, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F8/70
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for using heuristics to determine source code ownership. A request is received to identify at least one owner of a particular source code unit. Initial ownership totals are calculated for the source code unit based upon a code contribution heuristic. The code contribution heuristic counts lines of code that were added and that were modified in the totals for contributing users. The initial ownership totals of the particular source code unit are adjusted based upon at least one other heuristic. The at least one owner of the particular source code unit is then output to an output device. The at least one owner is determined by selecting a contributing user that has a highest ranking total after adjusting the initial ownership totals. For example, there can be a primary owner and a backup owner selected based on the ranking of the ownership totals.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.