If better tools are to be developed to support the impact analysis task, greater clarity is needed about the exact nature of that task. This paper presents a definition of impact analysis and distinguishes between impact analysis and program Imderrstanding. Impact analysis is a necessarily approximate technique which must focus on the cost-dective minimization of unwanted side effects.A key to effectiveness would be a way of precisely describing the semantics ofench safhvare change.A general model of sofhvare impacts is presented that uses fZexible declarative propagation rules to describe the way soji'ware objects @ect each other. Preliminary versions of the model have been implemented in an Impact Analysis System. A small case study was performed to gain eyerience in applying the model as part of a soji'ware change process. Recommendations are made for impact analysis tool support and for further research directions.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.