A systematic approach to software reliability modeling

• Published in: Proceedings of 1993 IEEE International Symposium on Software Reliability Engineering pp. 62 - 70
• Main Authors: Follenweider, R., Karcich, R., Knafl, G.J.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 1993
• Subjects: Data analysis; Least squares approximation; Maximum likelihood estimation; Parameter estimation; Predictive models; Software measurement; Software reliability; Yttrium
• ISBN: 0818640103; 9780818640100
• DOI: 10.1109/ISSRE.1993.624275

We propose a systematic approach for distinguishing between software reliability models and parameter estimation procedures using predictive performance. We consider several composite modeling procedures consisting of a variety of elementary modeling procedures based on some NHPP models together with either maximum likelihood or least squares parameter estimation. We also consider a number of selection criteria for choosing an elementary modeling procedure with which to predict the future. We use several predictive performance measures to assess these composite modeling procedures, including a new measure based on predicting failure intensity at the end of the observation interval. We demonstrate these techniques by analyzing a specific software reliability data set.