SERL - Software Engineering Research Laboratory

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https://hdl.handle.net/10292/1680
The Software Engineering Research Lab (SERL) at AUT University undertakes world-class research directed at understanding and improving the practice of software professionals in their creation and preservation of software systems. We are interested in all models of software provision – bespoke development, package and component customisation, free/libre open source software (FLOSS) development, and delivery of software as a service (SaaS). The research we carry out may relate to just one or all of these models.

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Browsing SERL - Software Engineering Research Laboratory by Author "Benwell, GL"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Assessing the degree of spatial isomorphism for exploratory spatial analysis
    (GeoComputation, 1998) Holt, A; MacDonell, SG; Benwell, GL
    This research continues with current innovative geocomputational research trends that aim to provide enhanced spatial analysis tools. The coupling of case-based reasoning (CBR) with GIS provides the focus of this paper. This coupling allows the retrieval, reuse, revision and retention of previous similar spatial cases. CBR is therefore used to develop more complex spatial data modelling methods (by using the CBR modules for improved spatial data manipulation) and provide enhanced exploratory geographical analysis tools (to find and assess certain patterns and relationships that may exist in spatial databases). This paper details the manner in which spatial similarity is assessed, for the purpose of re-using previous spatial cases. The authors consider similarity assessment a useful concept for retrieving and analysing spatial information as it may help researchers describe and explore a certain phenomena, its immediate environment and its relationships to other phenomena. This paper will address the following questions: What makes phenomena similar? What is the definition of similarity? What principles govern similarity? and How can similarity be measured? Generally, phenomena are similar when they share common attributes and circumstances. The degree of similarity depends on the type and number of commonalties they share. Within this research, similarity is examined from a spatial perspective. Spatial similarity is broadly defined by the authors as the spatial matching and ranking according to a specific context and scale. More specifically, similarity is governed by context (function, use, reason, goal, users frame-of mind), scale (coarse or fine level), repository (the application, local domain, site and data specifics), techniques (the available technology for searching, retrieving and recognising data) and measure and ranking systems. The degree of match is the score between a source and a target. In spatial matching a source and a target could be a pixel, region or coverage. The principles that govern spatial similarity are not just the attributes but also the relationships between two phenomena. This is one reason why CBR coupled with a GIS is fortuitous. A GIS is used symbiotically to extract spatial variables that can be used by CBR to determine similar spatial relations between phenomena. These spatial relations are used to assess the similarity between two phenomena (for example proximity and neighborhood analysis). Developing the concept of spatial similarity could assist with analysing spatial databases by developing techniques to match similar areas. This would help maximise the information that could be extracted from spatial databases. From an exploratory perspective, spatial similarity serves as an organising principle by which spatial phenomena are classified, relationships identified and generalisations made from previous bona fide experiences or knowledge. This paper will investigate the spatial similarity concept.
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    Assessing the Graphical and Algorithmic Structure of Hierarchical Coloured Petri Net Models
    (Australian Computer Society Digital Library, 1994) MacDonell, Stephen Gerard; Benwell, GL
    Petri nets, as a modelling formalism, are utilised for the analysis of processes, whether for explicit understanding, database design or business process re-engineering. The formalism, however, can be represented on a virtual continuum from highly graphical to largely algorithmic. The use and understanding of the formalism will, in part, therefore depend on the resultant complexity and power of the representation and, on the graphical or algorithmic preference of the user. This paper develops a metric which will indicate the graphical or algorithmic tendency of hierarchical coloured Pctri nets.
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    Effort estimation for the development of spatial information systems
    (University of Otago, 1996) MacDonell, SG; Benwell, GL
    The management and control of software processes has assumed increasing importance in recent times. The ability to obtain accurate and consistent indications of, for example, system quality, developer productivity and schedule projections is an essential component of effective project management. This paper focuses on these ‘traditional’ software engineering issues in relation to the development of spatial systems. In particular, techniques for development effort estimation are considered and a case study illustrating the application of one specific estimation method (Mark II function point analysis) is presented. Given its original basis in business information systems, the method is adjusted in order to account for (some of) the differentiating characteristics of spatial systems. The method is then retrospectively applied to a recently developed hazards analysis system. The effort estimate obtained is sufficiently close to the actual effort used in development to illustrate the potential of such a technique for project management in the spatial systems domain.
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    Towards the development of a documentation structure for modelling spatial processes
    (GeoComputation, 1998) Marr, AJ; Mann, S; MacDonell, SG; Benwell, GL
    This paper describes issues relating to the formation of a documentation structure for modelling spatial processes. The limitations and desirable attributes of such a structure are discussed with particular reference to the requirements of model designers and implementers. The definition of their structure is regarded as pivotal to the continued research and implementation of technology for modelling spatial processes previously conducted and published, in which extensive benefits were identified. In this paper, particular reference is made to highlight existing research in the area of model documentation that although requiring adaptation, may satisfy the specified criteria for the development of a generic system for modelling spatial processes.
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