It's now been ten years since I finished my PhD, in automated refactoring. At the time I started it, the Smalltalk refactoring browser was being worked on. It looked interesting but I needing to do something different because PhDs have to be original. I'm happy with what I chose to do - it got me my PhD.
BTW - unlike some stories I've heard from other PhonyDoctors, my supervisors were all great (I had four official supervisors in the three years of my PhD - they kept leaving to work in industry - and one unofficial supervisor. They were: Mario Wolczko, Trevor Hopkins, Jon Taylor, Tim Clement and Chris Kirkham).
I've learnt a lot since my PhD. I've now seen more evidence that the first few sentences of my thesis introduction weren't too far wrong:
The software development process is iterative, whether it is planned that way or not. The optimal design of a system depends on its current requirements. As requirements inevitably change, a system will evolve, requiring restructuring if it is to remain well designed.
I'm disappointed that there hasn't been more work in the area. Some people really didn't like what I did, but others did, which I think means it must have been an interesting idea!
Posted by ivan at October 29, 2006 11:05 PM