Code inspection for NPSNET

Abstract

The virtual reality research at the Naval Postgraduate School has produced a simulation environment called NPSNET. NPSNET demonstrates that a real-time, interactive three-dimensional simulation system for multiple networked participants is achievable using low-cost workstations. However, as NPSNET expands, limitations of the current testing methods have become apparent, particularly in the area of man-hours spent in detecting faults in the software. The problem addressed by this research was to improve the validation process of NPSNET by implementing an efficient code inspection. The approach taken was to develop a two-person code inspection based on Pagan's Inspections. The development of the inspection process began with the inspection checklist. The checklist is a result of studying the software development difficulties of NPSNET and other code inspection checklists. Next was the design of the inspection process, which focused on streamlining the amount of time and number of participants conducting the inspection. Finally, a trial inspection was conducted to provide feedback on the effectiveness of the software inspection process. The results of this work demonstrate that it is possible to develop a fast and effective inspection process with fewer people required to conduct it. The trial inspection reduced the time from four to two hours to complete, produced a 35% defects per lines of code rate, and only required two instead of four people to conduct.