Code Inspection
Software Engineering Accomplishment | 1976
IBM researcher: Michael E. Fagan
Where the work was done: IBM T.J. Watson Research Center
What we accomplished: 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. Users of the method report very significant improvements in quality that are accompanied by lower development costs and greatly reduced maintenance efforts.
Since introducing the inspection process in 1974, IBM achieved significant improvements in quality. The company nearly doubled the number of lines of code shipped for System/370 software products since 1976, while the number of defects per thousand lines of code was reduced by two-thirds (Michael Fagan, pictured).
Related links: Design and Code Inspections to Reduce Errors in Program Development (IEEE); Advances in Software Inspection (IEEE).
Image credit: IEEE
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