Yingxu Wang

On built-in test reuse in object-oriented framework design

Object-oriented frameworks have extended reusability of software from code modules to architectural and domain information. This paper further extends software reusability from code and architecture to built-in tests (BITs) in object-oriented framework development. Methods for embedding BITs at object and object-oriented framework levels are addressed. Behaviours of objects and object-oriented frameworks with BITs in the normal and test modes are analyzed. Systematic reuse methods of BITs in object-oriented framework development are provided. The most interesting development in the paper is that the BITs in object-oriented frameworks can be inherited and reused as that of code. Therefore testability and maintainability of the test-built-in object-oriented frameworks can be improved by the BIT approach. The BIT method can be used in analysis, design and coding of object-oriented frameworks.

On coping with real-time software dynamic inconsistency by built-in tests

In real-time systems, dynamic inconsistencies of software are hardly detected, diagnosed and handled. A built-in test (BIT) method is developed to cope with software dynamic inconsistency. BIT is defined as a new kind of software testing which is explicitly described in object-oriented source code as member functions. BITs can be activated at any designed moment at run-time to detect, diagnose and handle software dynamic inconsistencies. This paper develops a new approach to cope with software dynamic inconsistencies at run-time by BITs. In this paper, the concept of BITs is introduced. The standard structures which incorporate BITs into conventional object-oriented software are analysed. Reuse methodologies for BITs in OO software are developed at object and system levels. A case study is provided for showing how to create BIT and how to inherit and reuse BITs in OO programming. Methods for incorporating BITs into OO software at object, class and system levels are provided. An approach to dynamic inconsistency control by BITs is developed.

A worldwide survey of base process activities towards software engineering process excellence

A survey has been designed to seek the practical foundation of base process activities (BPAs) in the software industry and to support research in modelling the software engineering processes. A superset of BPAs compatible with the current software process models, such as SPICE (ISO 15504), CMM, ISO 9000 and BOOTSTRAP, were identified for the construction of the questionnaires. This paper reports the survey findings on BPAs in software engineering processes. A summary of the current software engineering process techniques and practices modelled by 83 BPAs in 10 processes and three categories is given. Each BPA is benchmarked on attributes of mean importance and ratios of significance, practice and effectiveness. Based on the benchmarks, and by comparing with the current practice of the readers organization, recommendations can be given on which specific areas need to have processes established first, and which areas should be highest priority for process improvement.

A Perspective on Foundations of Object-Oriented Information Systems

In this paper object-oriented information system (OOIS) is defined as an information system which employs object-oriented technologies in system design and implementation. This paper attempts to clarify the concept of OOIS and its implication, and to summarise research and practices in the OOIS area. At the top level, perspectives on foundations of object-orientation, information, information systems and OOISs are presented systematically. Then the domain of OOIS is analysed and a generic structure of OOIS as a branch of computer science is derived. Finally trends in OOIS technologies are analysed based on the review of the past OOIS proceedings.

Experience in comparative process assessment with multi-process-models

For software process assessment and improvement, two of the top frequently-asked-questions in the software industry are that: (a) what is the interrelationships between current process models? and (b) how can a given capability level in one model be related to another objectively? This paper reports the findings of a comparative process assessment case study project for a software organisation using SPICE, CMM, BOOTSTRAP, ISO 9000 and SPRM methodologies. Interrelationship and transformability of the capability levels between the five process models are explored. In this approach, the capability level of a software organisation can be mutually transformed between current models. Therefore, the above significant problems in software process assessment can be solved. The stability of assessment results of current process models is tested by three specially designed cases. Empirical data on the time expended in process assessments by the five process models are derived and related to the unit of person-hours for estimating the costs in process assessment.

What the software industry says about the practices modelled in current software process models

A series of surveys has been designed and conducted in order to seek the practical foundations of the base process activities in the software industry and to support and validate the current software process models. As a basis, a superset of 444 base process activities (BPAs) modelled in current process models, such as CMM, ISO 9000, BOOTSTRAP, SPICE and SPRM, were identified. This paper describes the design of the survey, and analyses the findings on software process modelling. Each BPA is characterised and benchmarked on attributes of mean importance and ratios of significance, practice and effectiveness according to the software industrys experience. Based on this work, every BPA and process in current models is now characterised by a set of benchmarked attributes. New process models can be developed and validated based on the benchmarks.