Accession Number:

ADA279657

Title:

Software Merge: Semantics of Combining Changes to Programs

Descriptive Note:

Interim rept.

Corporate Author:

NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA DEPT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE

Personal Author(s):

• Berzins, Valdis

Report Date:

1993-12-01

Pagination or Media Count:

33.0

Abstract:

We present a language-independent semantic model of the process of combining changes to programs. This model extends the domains used in denotational semantics complete partial orders to Boolean algebras, and represents incompatible modifications as well as compatible extensions. The model is used to define the intended semantics of change merging operations on programs and to establish some general properties of software merging. We determine conditions under which changes to subprograms of a software system can be merged independently and illustrate cases where this is not possible. Software change merging, Semantics, Domains, Software maintenance.

Descriptors:

• *SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
• *MODIFICATION
• *ASSIMILATION
• *SEMANTICS
• MAINTENANCE
• PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
• BOOLEAN ALGEBRA
• MODELS

Subject Categories:

• Computer Programming and Software

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE