Knowledge-Based Program Understanding

Zoltán Varga

Slovak University of Technology,
Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology,
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Ilkovičova 3, 831 02 Bratislava, Slovakia
vargaz@decef.elf.stuba.sk

Elaborated according to: UENO, Haruki: A Generalized Knowledge-Base Approach to Comprehend Pascal and C Programs, In: P. Návrat, H. Ueno: Knowledge-Based Software Engineering, IOS Press, 1998, p. 132-139

Abstract. Program understanding we can use in learning programming. Systems detects bugs in user programs by program analysis and gives advises not only for correct bugs but also illustrates misunderstandings. Systems ALPUS (ALPUS II) and DISCOVER were developed for program understanding. While ALPUS use production system to comprehend programs, DISCOVER use implicit knowledge. Knowledge for program understanding in ALPUS is represented in a data structure called Hierarchical Procedure Graph (HPG). DISCOVER is based on model tracing, which aim is utilise goals and plans to represent the knowledge. These main differences cause system's advantages and disadvantages.

Full paper (in slovak)