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The CERT Function Extraction Experiment: Quantifying FX Impact on Software Comprehension and Verification

Technical Note
In this report, the authors describe an experiment comparing traditional methods of comprehension with automated behavior computation using an FX prototype.
Publisher

Software Engineering Institute

CMU/SEI Report Number
CMU/SEI-2005-TN-047
DOI (Digital Object Identifier)
10.1184/R1/6585095.v1

Abstract

Function Extraction (FX) is a new, theory-based technology for automated calculation of the functional behavior of software. The CERT Function Extraction experiment was conducted so as to better understand the impact of FX on human comprehension and verification of soft-ware and to rigorously quantify the business case for FX technology. This report describes the results of the controlled experiment that was performed to compare traditional manual methods of comprehension with automated behavior computation using an FX prototype. The results of the experiment show a substantial increase in human capabilities for software comprehension and verification using FX technology.

Cite This Technical Note

Collins, R., Hevner, A., Walton, G., & Linger, R. (2005, December 1). The CERT Function Extraction Experiment: Quantifying FX Impact on Software Comprehension and Verification. (Technical Note CMU/SEI-2005-TN-047). Retrieved April 19, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6585095.v1.

@techreport{collins_2005,
author={Collins, Rosann and Hevner, Alan and Walton, Gwendolyn and Linger, Richard},
title={The CERT Function Extraction Experiment: Quantifying FX Impact on Software Comprehension and Verification},
month={Dec},
year={2005},
number={CMU/SEI-2005-TN-047},
howpublished={Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute's Digital Library},
url={https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6585095.v1},
note={Accessed: 2024-Apr-19}
}

Collins, Rosann, Alan Hevner, Gwendolyn Walton, and Richard Linger. "The CERT Function Extraction Experiment: Quantifying FX Impact on Software Comprehension and Verification." (CMU/SEI-2005-TN-047). Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute's Digital Library. Software Engineering Institute, December 1, 2005. https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6585095.v1.

R. Collins, A. Hevner, G. Walton, and R. Linger, "The CERT Function Extraction Experiment: Quantifying FX Impact on Software Comprehension and Verification," Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute's Digital Library. Software Engineering Institute, Technical Note CMU/SEI-2005-TN-047, 1-Dec-2005 [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6585095.v1. [Accessed: 19-Apr-2024].

Collins, Rosann, Alan Hevner, Gwendolyn Walton, and Richard Linger. "The CERT Function Extraction Experiment: Quantifying FX Impact on Software Comprehension and Verification." (Technical Note CMU/SEI-2005-TN-047). Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute's Digital Library, Software Engineering Institute, 1 Dec. 2005. https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6585095.v1. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Collins, Rosann; Hevner, Alan; Walton, Gwendolyn; & Linger, Richard. The CERT Function Extraction Experiment: Quantifying FX Impact on Software Comprehension and Verification. CMU/SEI-2005-TN-047. Software Engineering Institute. 2005. https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6585095.v1