Un-building blocks: a model of reverse engineering and applicable heuristics
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Authors
Garcia, Jorge F.
Subjects
systems engineering
reverse engineering
heuristics
process modeling
reverse engineering
heuristics
process modeling
Advisors
Harney, Robert
Date of Issue
2015-12
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Reverse engineering is the problem-solving activity that ensues when one takes a human-made system, whole or in part, and attempts—through systematic analysis of its physical characteristics and other available evidence—to answer one or more of the following questions: What is this for? What does it do? How does it do it? What is inside it? How was it made? A model developed from a synthesis of the technical literature is used to infer modes of failure in the process of reverse engineering and identify and catalog applicable experience-based techniques known as heuristics. The model is then cast in an executable formal language in order to further test its assumptions, and explore its implications. Hands-on, historic, and virtual case studies are used to validate and refine the model. The modes of failure, heuristics, and the model itself in its original and formal language expressions, introduce a new descriptive terminology of reverse engineering and provide a new framework to interpret real world reverse engineering activity.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Systems Engineering (SE)
Organization
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NPS Report Number
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Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.