Parnas Software Review Patterns

DavidParnas reports success using a review method, based on reconciling the formal specification of a system with a formal description of the system as implemented (similar to what architects call an AsBuilt).

I think the paper that describes this is titled A Rational Design Process: How and Why to Fake It. Corrections? -- AllanBaruz

The overall methodology is to break down the specification into parts called displays that use tables and predicate calculus to formalize system behavior. The system can be reviewed a piece at a time.

The methodology has been used successfully several times, including the review of the control software for a nuclear power plant.

The review process is carried out by four teams:

• ProblemDomainExpertReviewers
• SolutionDomainExpertReviewers
• VerifiersForTheReview
• AuditorsForTheVerifiers

This small pattern language describes those teams.

-- JimCoplien

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