FAULT ANALYSES IN INDUSTRY AND ACADEMIC RESEARCH

软件故障每年使英国IT行业损失数亿英镑；在学术术语中，软件工程研究的一个共同目标是解决行业问题。工业与学术故障分析研究网络（FIAR-NET）将软件故障分析领域的工业与学术研究联系得更加紧密。存在着一系列紧迫的问题，为了两族的共同利益，他们比过去更加密切地合作。这就是提出FIAR-NET的基本动机和原因。两个关键主题贯穿整个网络。首先，利用工业系统进行故障案例研究的挑战。虽然最近在这一领域取得了进展，但更多的工业参与有可能加强和增加这些基础的高价值。主题将包括预测故障、故障数据收集/同化（包括确保数据是可靠的）、故障数据解释和“敏捷”环境中的故障的实用性，这是一种在英国IT行业流行的软件开发模型。第二个主题是探索重新设计代码的方法，以便在某种程度上更好，从而减轻和最小化错误；最后，通过更好的测试策略（发布前和发布后）。该网络将通过定期讲习班、活动和一系列在线资源和倡议，包括一套现场“路演”来运作。一个由核心学者和工业合作伙伴（包括中小企业和大型组织）组成的初步网络将建立、维持并扩大。一个关键目标是刺激创新的、领先的研究合作和后续成果的传播。拟议中的布鲁内尔网络团队建立在故障分析和经验软件工程方面的专业知识的基础上，被广泛认为是世界领先的。这一声誉是由过去和现在的各种各样的工业和学术合作所支撑的，FIAR-NET将在其三年的持续时间内及其后建立这些合作。Counsell （PI）和Hierons （FIAR-NET核心成员）过去都领导过成功的研究网络，该项目的所有研究人员都具有广泛的工业合作经验，并将这些经验带入网络。最后，FIAR-NET属于EPSRC的战略目标和投资组合计划之一，即“发展”故障查找和修复研究。

Faults in software cost the UK IT industry hundreds of millions of pounds each year; a common aim of software engineering research in academic terms is to address industry problems. The Fault Analyses in Industry and Academic Research Network (FIAR-NET) brings closer ties between industry and academic research in the area of software fault analysis. A range of pressing issues exists and it is to the mutual benefit of the two communities that they work more closely than they have in the past. This is the underpinning motivation and reason for proposing FIAR-NET. Two key themes run through the network. Firstly, challenges of fault case-studies using industrial systems. While recent progress has been made in this area, more industrial involvement has the potential to enhance and add high value to these foundations. The theme will embrace the practicalities of predicting faults, fault data collection/assimilation (including ensuring that the data is reliable), fault data interpretation and faults in an 'agile' context, a model for developing software which is prevalent in UK IT industry. The second theme is an exploration of approaches to re-engineering code so that is in some way better and thereby mitigate and minimise faults; finally through better testing strategies (both pre- and post-release). FIAR-NET will operate through regular workshops, events and a range of on-line resources and initiatives including a set of on-site "road-shows". An initial network of core academics and industrial partners including SMEs and large organisations will be established, maintained and then extended. A key aim is to stimulate innovative, leading research collaboration and dissemination of subsequent results. The proposed network team at Brunel builds on a track record of expertise in fault analyses and empirical software engineering, widely recognised as world-leading. This reputation is underpinned by a wide variety of past and present industrial and academic collaborations which FIAR-NET will build on in the three years of its duration and thereafter. Both Counsell (PI) and Hierons (a core FIAR-NET member) have led successful research networks in the past and all investigators on the project have wide experience of industrial collaborations and bring that experience to the network. Finally, FIAR-NET falls within one of the EPSRC's strategic aims and portfolio plan to 'grow' research into fault-finding and fixing.