Software inspections are a structured review technique where a small group of software developers systematically reads a document (such as source code) and identifies and classifies defects as they are encountered. Participants take on a specific role, such as producer, reader, moderator, or recorder, and all act as an inspector.
By the time of the inspection, your group should have completed much, but probably not all of its coding. The goal of the inspection is to identify defects in the code you have produced so far, as well as to provide practice in performing software inspections.
The software inspection will be performed during the laboratory of the week indicated on the syllabus. Teams with members who cannot make the normal laboratory time must schedule an alternate time with the TA when all team members can be present.
Several days prior to the inspection, each team must select who will act as the inspection's moderator. This person is responsible for making line-numbered printouts of the source code, and distributing them to team members so they can prepare for the inspection. Team members are expected to read these materials prior to the inspection, and to make notes of any observed defects. Team members then must bring their notes and printouts to the software inspection.
At the beginning of the inspection meeting, the moderator will use the software inspection data sheet to record the roles and preparation time for all participants, along with the date of the meeting, and the items being reviewed.
During the inspection, the reader will walk participants through the code, with the recorder noting any observed defects on the software inspection defect report form.
Participation in the software inspection is part of your project grade. 1/3 of the inspection grade is assigned to the entire group, and depends on the group being prepared for the inspection (the group arrives with a line-numbered printout of the code to inspect, their project notebook, and with sufficient code to take up the full two hours). 2/3 of the inspection grade is assigned individually, and depends on you preparing for the inspection by reading the supplied materials, and on you being physically present during the inspection.
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