The truth is out there: Reflections on search in software engineering

Simons, Christopher

Abstract

In the popular science fiction horror drama TV series "The X-Files", two FBI agents (Mulder and Skully) investigate unsolved case files relating to emerging paranormal phenomena and possible alien life. Many explanations and conspiracy theories abound. Although the intrepid investigators struggle to put the disparate pieces together, they believe that "the truth is out there".

Search-based software engineering has attracted much research attention recently and many theories also abound relating to the application of metaheuristic search techniques to software engineering problems. Some 15 years since the term `search-based software engineering' was suggested, it is perhaps timely to reflect on some of these emerging phenomena in the field of search-based software engineering and examine some of the theories, fallacies and facts in a wider software engineering context. Is there truth out there?

This presentation suggests some possible fallacies of search with respect to software engineering, before reviewing some more established facts about the progress of search-based software engineering, 15 years on. The application of search-based software engineering techniques within different phases of the software engineering life cycle is discussed, with a particular emphasis on agile development methodologies. Finally, attempts are made to put the disparate pieces together to speculate on areas of future industrial adoption of search-based software engineering.

Citation

Simons, C. (2016, June). The truth is out there: Reflections on search in software engineering. Presented at First International Summer School on Search-Based Software Engineering, University of Cadiz, Spain

• Presentation Conference Type: Keynote
• Conference Name: First International Summer School on Search-Based Software Engineering
• Conference Location: University of Cadiz, Spain
• Start Date: Jun 29, 2016
• End Date: Jul 1, 2016
• Acceptance Date: Jun 10, 2016
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2016
• Deposit Date: Jul 4, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 4, 2016
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: software engineering
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/923283
• Publisher URL: https://sbse2016.uca.es/sbse/keynotes/
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : First International Summer School on Search-Based Software Engineering