A knowledge-based approach to the analysis of code and program design language (PDL)

A knowledge-based technique is described for understanding programs (the program design language, PDL and the corresponding code) in terms of their plans. The technique has been used successfully to enhance PDL´s role in maintaining and modifying code. This success is illustrated by an example. The methodology from which this technique evolved was derived from an earlier approach used in developing a knowledge-based prototype that inspects and quality assures software components (B. Das, 1989). The prototype model offers a unified representation of the components that have been used to represent PDL and code segments. Recent approaches to program analysis and understanding for use in software maintenance are discussed. It is argued that, unlike other research advances in this area, this approach is more realistic and takes advantages of a structured environment (standards for PDL, for example) commonly practiced in a software community. Yet the methodology is fairly general and immediately applicable in other software activities. Directions for future work are also outlined