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Update of GRASP/Ada reverse engineering tools for AdaThe GRASP/Ada project (Graphical Representations of Algorithms, Structures, and Processes for Ada) successfully created and prototyped a new algorithmic level graphical representation for Ada software, the Control Structure Diagram (CSD). The primary impetus for creation of the CSD was to improve the comprehension efficiency of Ada software and, as a result, improve reliability and reduce costs. The emphasis was on the automatic generation of the CSD from Ada PDL or source code to support reverse engineering and maintenance. The CSD has the potential to replace traditional pretty printed Ada source code. In Phase 1 of the GRASP/Ada project, the CSD graphical constructs were created and applied manually to several small Ada programs. A prototype CSD generator (Version 1) was designed and implemented using FLEX and BISON running under VMS on a VAX 11-780. In Phase 2, the prototype was improved and ported to the Sun 4 platform under UNIX. A user interface was designed and partially implemented using the HP widget toolkit and the X Windows System. In Phase 3, the user interface was extensively reworked using the Athena widget toolkit and X Windows. The prototype was applied successfully to numerous Ada programs ranging in size from several hundred to several thousand lines of source code. Following Phase 3,e two update phases were completed. Update'92 focused on the initial analysis of evaluation data collected from software engineering students at Auburn University and the addition of significant enhancements to the user interface. Update'93 (the current update) focused on the statistical analysis of the data collected in the previous update and preparation of Version 3.4 of the prototype for limited distribution to facilitate further evaluation. The current prototype provides the capability for the user to generate CSD's from Ada PDL or source code in a reverse engineering as well as forward engineering mode with a level of flexibility suitable for practical application. An overview of the GRASP/Ada project with an emphasis on the current update is provided.
Document ID
19940019638
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Contractor Report (CR)
Authors
Cross, James H., II
(Auburn Univ. AL, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
December 14, 1993
Subject Category
Computer Programming And Software
Report/Patent Number
NAS 1.26:193890
NASA-CR-193890
Report Number: NAS 1.26:193890
Report Number: NASA-CR-193890
Accession Number
94N24111
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS8-39131
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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