Rachel McCrindle

An investigation into the effects of code coupling on team dynamics and productivity

During the past three decades a number of theories have been proposed to explain the idiosyncrasies of software development as a team activity. The paper compares and combines these theories into a coherent model of software development that links software coupling and dependency management with team productivity. As a practical test of this model, the paper then investigates, the effects of coupling in two large commercial systems. It achieves this by using the VCML Views visualisation technique, developed by the authors, to expose the system wide coupling found in the code and how this coupling develops during the lifetime of a project. It then compares the resultant VCML views with simple attributes of the two projects to derive a set of important conclusions. In particular, it finds that unmanaged coupling within the code is a good indicator of potential productivity bottlenecks; that the number of programmers on a project is not necessarily a good indicator of programmer productivity; and that the architecture of a software system can radically alter the number of programmers that can effectively work together on a system.

Using SOAP to clean up configuration management

Software products have become increasingly complicated over the past decade. For example, software is no longer restricted to a single binary file constructed from a small number of source files residing at a single location. Products today are frequently split across client and server architectures with further complications arising through the need for the client and the server to be built and run on different platforms, developed and deployed in multiple physical locations and by workers spanning several different time zones. These factors contribute to making modern software configuration management (CM) a vital but extremely complex process. In this paper we describe a new method for managing the configuration management of evolving modern day distributed systems based on the use of emerging web technologies, specifically XML (Extended Markup Language) XML-RPC (XML-Remote Procedure Call) and SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol).

Using virtual reality for medical diagnosis, training and education

In this paper we present a number of the immersive VR applications that we have developed during the past 18 months as a means of practically demonstrating the modelling approaches previously reported. The paper discusses the usefulness of the different approaches in assisting medical practitioners to diagnose and track conditions which might lead to impairment or disability, and how they can be used to train medical students to recognise such conditions or to undertake associated medical procedures. Initial findings of a survey of undertaken with medical practitioners as to the effectiveness of VR and in particular immersive models as diagnostic and training aids are also presented.

Software visualisation using C++ lenses

C++ Lens is an innovative visualisation technique and associated tool, that assists maintainers to comprehend C++ source code. The primary role of the C++ Lens technique and tool is to visualise the interface relationships existing between C++ classes and to signify the importance of these relationships. The technique innovatively combines, via the definition of lenses, elements of reverse engineering, code browsing, visualisation, and metrics gathering into a coherent framework for code comprehension. The paper describes the basis of the technique and presents some results of applying the C++ Lens technique and tool to large scale commercial software.

Verifying and Fixing Password Authentication Protocol

Password authentication protocol (PAP) is widely used in the wireless fidelity point-to-point protocol to authenticate an identity and password for a peer. This paper uses a new knowledge-based framework to verify the PAP protocol and a fixed version. Flaws are found in both the original and the fixed versions. A new enhanced protocol is provided and the security of it is proved. The whole process is implemented in a mechanical reasoning platform, Isabelle. It only takes a few seconds to find flaws in the original and the fixed protocol and to verify that the enhanced version of the PAP protocol is secure

MusiCam - an instrument to demonstrate chromaphonic synesthesia

Abstract Inspired by a type of synesthesia where colour typically induces musical notes the MusiCam project investigates this unusual condition, particularly the transition from colour to sound. MusiCam explores the potential benefits of this idiosyncrasy as a mode of human computer interaction (HCI), providing a host of meaningful applications spanning control, communication and composition. Colour data is interpreted by means of an off-the-shelf webcam, and music is generated in real-time through regular speakers. By making colour-based gestures users can actively control the parameters of sounds, compose melodies and motifs or mix multiple tracks on the fly. The system shows great potential as an interactive medium and as a musical controller. The trials conducted to date have produced encouraging results, and only hint at the new possibilities achievable by such a device.

Wearable device to assist independent living

Abstract Older people increasingly want to remain living independently in their own homes. The aim of the ENABLE project is to develop a wearable device that can be used to support older people in their daily lives and which can monitor their health status, detect potential problems, provide activity reminders and offer communication and alarm services. In order to determine the specifications and functionality required for the development of the device, user surveys and focus groups were undertaken, use case analysis and scenario modeling carried out. The project has resulted in the development of a wrist-worn device and mobile phone combination that can support and assist older and vulnerable wearers with a range of activities and services both inside their home and as they move around their local environment. The device is currently undergoing pilot trials in five European countries. The aim of this paper is to describe the ENABLE device, its features and services, and the infrastructure within which it operates.

Immersive open surgery simulation

Realistic medical simulation has great potential for augmenting or complimenting traditional medical training or surgery planning, and Virtual Reality (VR) is a key enabling technology for delivering this goal. Although, medical simulators are now widely used in medical institutions, the majority of them are still reliant on desktop monitor displays, and many are restricted in their modelling capability to minimally invasive or endoscopic surgery scenarios. Whilst useful, such models lack the realism and interaction of the operating theatre. In this paper, we describe how we are advancing the technology by simulating open surgery procedures in an Immersive Projection Display CAVE environment thereby enabling medical practitioners to interact with their virtual patients in a more realistic manner.

Interaction via motion observation

The main method of interacting with computers and consumer electronics has changed very little in the past 20 years. This paper describes the development of an exciting and novel Human Computer Interface (HCI) that has been developed to allow people to interact with computers in a visual manner. The system uses a standard computer web camera to watch the user and respond to movements made by the user’s hand. As a result, the user is able to operate the computer, play games or even move a pointer by waving their hand in front of the camera. Due to the visual tracking aspect of the system, it is potentially suitable for disabled people whose condition may restrict their ability to use a standard computer mouse. Trials of the system have produced encouraging results, showing the system to have great potential as an input medium. The paper also discusses a set of applications developed for use with the system, including a game, and the implications such a system may have if introduced into everyday life.

Making Movies: Watching Software Evolve through Visualisation

This paper introduces an innovative visualisation technique for exposing the software defects that develop as a software project evolves. The application of this technique to a large-scale industrial software project is described together with the way in which the technique was modified to enable integration with the software configuration management process. The paper shows how a number of forces acting on the project can be equated to changes in the visualisations and how this can be used as a measure of the quality of the software.