article · 2025

Automatic Identification of Machine Learning-Specific Code Smells

Peter Hamfelt, Ricardo Britto, Lincoln S. Rocha, Camilo Almendra

Cited by 0Open access

Abstract

Machine learning (ML) has rapidly grown in popularity, becoming vital to many industries. Currently, the research on code smells in ML applications lacks tools and studies that address the identification and validity of ML-specific code smells. This work investigates suitable methods and tools to design and develop a static code analysis tool (MLpylint) based on code smell criteria. This research employed the Design Science Methodology. In the problem identification phase, a literature review was conducted to identify ML-specific code smells. In solution design, a secondary literature review and consultations with experts were performed to select methods and tools for implementing the tool.We evaluated the tool on data from 160 open-source ML applications sourced from GitHub. We also conducted a static validation through an expert survey involving 15 ML professionals. The results indicate the effectiveness and usefulness of the MLpylint. We aim to extend our current approach by investigating ways to introduce MLpylint seamlessly into development workflows, fostering a more productive and innovative developer environment.

Cite this paper

APA 7

Hamfelt, P., Britto, R., Rocha, L. S., & Almendra, C. (2025). Automatic Identification of Machine Learning-Specific Code Smells. https://doi.org/10.5753/sbes.2025.9949

MLA 9

Hamfelt, Peter, et al. “Automatic Identification of Machine Learning-Specific Code Smells.” 2025, pp. 337–47, https://doi.org/10.5753/sbes.2025.9949.

Chicago

Hamfelt, Peter, Ricardo Britto, Lincoln S. Rocha, and Camilo Almendra. 2025. “Automatic Identification of Machine Learning-Specific Code Smells.” https://doi.org/10.5753/sbes.2025.9949.

Harvard

Hamfelt, P. et al. (2025) ‘Automatic Identification of Machine Learning-Specific Code Smells’. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5753/sbes.2025.9949.

BibTeX

@article{hamfelt2025automatic,
  title = {{Automatic Identification of Machine Learning-Specific Code Smells}},
  author = {Hamfelt, Peter and Britto, Ricardo and Rocha, Lincoln S. and Almendra, Camilo},
  pages = {337--347},
  year = {2025},
  doi = {10.5753/sbes.2025.9949}
}

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