Title :
Using function abstraction to understand program behavior
Author :
Hausler, P.A. ; Pleszkoch, M.G. ; Linger, Richard C. ; Hevner, Alan R.
Author_Institution :
IBM Syst. Integration Div., Gaithersburg, MD, USA
Abstract :
The authors explain how to understand programs by abstracting program function. This abstraction is made possible by the algebraic structure and mathematical properties of structured programs. They describe an abstraction algorithm that provides a basis for a tool for automatic abstraction of program functions. They also explore what the goals of a program-abstraction tool should be. A miniature Cobol program for a banking application is used as an example.<>
Keywords :
program diagnostics; software tools; structured programming; Cobol program; algebraic structure; banking; function abstraction; mathematical properties; program behavior; program-abstraction tool; structured programs; Automatic control; Automatic logic units; Banking; Control systems; Documentation; Educational institutions; Flowcharts; Frequency; Milling machines; Pricing;
Journal_Title :
Software, IEEE
