Title: The application of intelligent and soft-computing techniques to software engineering problems: a review

Authors: Ramakanta Mohanty, Vadlamani Ravi, Manas Ranjan Patra

Addresses: Computer Science Department, Berhampur University, Berhampur 760 007, Orissa, India. ' Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology, Castle Hills Road #1, Masab Tank, Hyderabad 500 057, AP, India. ' Computer Science Department, Berhampur University, Berhampur 760 007, Orissa, India

Abstract: This paper presents a comprehensive review of the work done during 1990-2008 in the application of intelligent techniques to solve software engineering (SE) problems. The review is categorised according to the type of intelligent technique applied viz. (1) neural networks (NNs), (2) fuzzy logic, (3) genetic algorithm, (4) decision tree, (5) case base reasoning and (6) other techniques subsuming soft computing. Further, the source of the data set and the results whenever available are also provided. We find that NNs is the most often used non-parametric method in SE and there exists immense scope to apply other equally famous methods such as fuzzy logic, decision trees and rough sets. The review is going to be useful to researchers as a starting point as it provides important future research directions. For practitioners also, the review would be useful. This would eventually lead to better decision making in SE thereby ensuring better, more reliable and cost effective software products.

Keywords: software engineering; software reliability; reliability prediction; software development; cost estimation; neural networks; GAs; genetic algorithms; decision trees; fuzzy logic; CBR; case-based reasoning; soft computing; artificial intelligence.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIDS.2010.033450

International Journal of Information and Decision Sciences, 2010 Vol.2 No.3, pp.233 - 272

Published online: 02 Jun 2010 *

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