A new method, called behavior sampling , is proposed for automated retrieval of reusable components from software libraries. Behavior sampling exploits the property of software that distinguished it from other forms of test: executability. Basic behavior sampling identifies relevant routines by executing candidates on a searcher-supplied sample of operational inputs and by comparing their output to output provided by the searcher. The probabilistic basis for behavior sampling is described, and experimental results are reported that suggest that basic behavior sampling exhibits high precision when used with small samples. Extensions to basic behavior sampling are proposed to improve its recall and to make it applicable to the retrieval of abstract data types and object classes.

Article Free Access Share on Behavior sampling: a technique for automated retrieval of reusable components Authors: Andy Podgurski View Profile , Lynn Pierce View Profile Authors Info & Claims ICSE '92: Proceedings of the 14th international conference on Software engineeringJune 1992 Pages 349–361https://doi.org/10.1145/143062.143152Published:01 June 1992Publication History 14citation415DownloadsMetricsTotal Citations14Total Downloads415Last 12 Months20Last 6 weeks2 Get Citation AlertsNew Citation Alert added!This alert has been successfully added and will be sent to:You will be notified whenever a record that you have chosen has been cited.To manage your alert preferences, click on the button below.Manage my AlertsNew Citation Alert!Please log in to your account Save to BinderSave to BinderCreate a New BinderNameCancelCreateExport CitationPublisher SiteeReaderPDF