Advances in software inspections

作者：Michael E. Fagan · 发表于：IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering · 年份：1986 · DOI：10.1109/tse.1986.6312976 · 被引用次数：633 · 研究领域：Software Engineering Research、Software Testing and Debugging Techniques、Software Reliability and Analysis Research

Software inspection is a method of static testing to verify that software meets its requirements. It engages the developers and others in a formal process of investigation that usually detects more defects in the product-and at lower cost-than does machine testing. Studies and experiences are presented which enhance the use of the inspection process and improve its contribution to development of defect-free software on time and at lower cost. Examples of benefits are cited followed by descriptions of the inspection process and some methods of obtaining the enhanced results. Users of the method report very significant improvements in quality that are accompanied by lower development costs and greatly reduced maintenance efforts. Excellent results have been obtained by small and large organizations in all aspects of new development as well as in maintenance. There is some evidence that developers who participate in the inspection of their own product actually create fewer defects in subsequent work. Because inspections formalize the development process, productivity-enhancing and quality-enhancing tools can be adopted more easily and rapidly.