A design centered approach to engineering: a programming library for automated software fault localization
Abdallah Tubaishat · 1994
Our research group at Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) is in the process of developing a conceptual model for software fault localization (CMSFL), and an automated assistant (AASFL) called BUG-DOCTOR to assist programmers in the difficult problem of software fault localization. This dissertation discusses the development of a design centered approach to knowledge representation for the AASFL. I have identified one of the major knowledge bases needed for the development of the AASFL. This is a programming library of knowledge objects. The knowledge objects are the key components in the programming library and serve as representations of correct implementations. I have built the requirements framework that allows us to develop a definition and a descriptional notation for the programming library knowledge object components. Furthermore, the informational contents of these objects have been identified and described. Our approach to program recognition and fault localization is unique in the use of recognition triggers, domain vocabulary, natural language descriptors, and control dependence information incorporated in each knowledge object. Finally, to insure the soundness of our design approach, and to contribute to findings in the area of code recognition, I proposed a binding process between the actual code and the knowledge objects using a set of matching rules.