Applying program analysis augmented with empirical properties into software analysis, testing and maintenance

Abstract

Program analysis techniques are often used to deduce and infer targeted characteristics of software systems for various software engineering tasks such as testing, debugging, maintenance and program comprehension. Recently, researchers and practitioners have recognized the importance of empirical knowledge in the evolution of software engineering discipline. The use of empirical knowledge, which is validated statistically, might be able to draw inferences about the properties of software systems in cases in which more traditional analyses have not succeeded.