A study of the modeling and analysis of software fault-detection and fault-correction processes

Most of the models for software reliability analysis are based on reliability growth models which deal with the fault detection process. This is done either by assuming that faults are corrected immediately after being detected or the time to correct a fault is not counted. Some models have been developed to relax this assumption. However, unlike the fault-detection process, few published data sets are available to support the modeling and analysis of both the fault detection and removal processes. In this paper, some useful approaches to the modeling of both software fault-detection and fault-correction processes are discussed. Further analysis on the software release time decision that incorporates both a fault-detection model and fault-correction model is also presented. This procedure is easy to use and useful for practical applications. The approach is illustrated with an actual set of data from a software development project. Copyright (C) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.