ITR: Consistent Software Evolution

软件是多维的，除了程序源代码外，它还有许多表示形式。 这些包括正式的规范，测试套件，文档，甚至开发历史。 随着软件的发展，这些维度必须保持一致，并尽可能彻底地相互反映。 然而，在实践中，虽然这些在最初创建时通常是一致的，但它们往往受到不平等的关注，因此逐渐变得不一致。 程序员通常依赖于源代码，而不考虑其他方面。这个项目的目标是帮助程序员通过将软件的各个方面看作是彼此之间的约束来科普软件的发展。 该项目提出了一个约束表示共同的不同的软件尺寸。 软件演化就变成了一个维护约束之间一致性的过程。 这些约束也帮助程序员识别系统中的高级功能，并生成文档设计决策的基本原理。软件维护的成本不断上升，这使得项目的及时性及其结果具有很高的意义。 它将通过开发程序员使用的工具产生直接的影响。 通过在教育环境中使用这些工具，它将产生长期的影响，因此未来的开发人员对维护软件的多个维度的重要性有更好的认识。

Software is multidimensional; it has many representations besides theprogram source. These include formal specifications, test suites,documentation and even the development history. As software evolves,these dimensions must stay consistent and reflect each other asthoroughly as possible. In practice, however, while these are usuallyconsistent when first created, they tend to receive unequal attentionand therefore gradually become inconsistent. Programmers thustypically rely on the source code to the exclusion of most otherdimensions.This project's goal is to help programmers cope with softwareevolution by viewing the dimensions of software as constraints on oneanother. The project proposes a constraint representation common tothe different software dimensions. Software evolution then becomes aprocess of maintaining consistency between constraints. Theseconstraints also help programmers identify high-level features intheir system, and generate rationales to document design decisions.The escalating costs of software maintenance give the projectimmediacy and its results high significance. It will have immediateimpact by developing tools for programmers to use. It will haveeffect over the long term by employing these tools in educationalsettings so future developers have a better appreciation for theimportance of maintaining the multiple dimensions of software.