Contextual Search for Software Engineering

A search system that allows the users to search and find the most interesting software artifacts based on the current context of the user is highly desirable. This paper sets forth the requirements of contextual search for software engineering. A context for software engineering is defined by four dimensions in <scope, content, role, component>. A contextual search system is presented to address the requirements. We conclude that an approach combining NoSQL database, tagging artifacts with special labels and categories, traditional information retrieval, and intelligently designed domain specific ontologies achieves the requirements of contextual and semantic search. The learning capabilities resulting from such a system are outlined.