Layer assessment of object-oriented software: A metric facilitating white-box reuse

► We analyze using multiple linear regression nearly 22,000 classes of 29 Open Source Java systems. ► In our analysis Chidamber and Kemerer metrics were used as predictors of the layer of each class. ► Analysis resulted in a new metric, suitable for the white-box reuse of object-oriented software. ► The new metric is compared against three other proposed metrics and shows significant advantages. ► The metric is suitable for the white box reuse of classes, componentization and rearchitecting.