The role of comprehension in software inspection

In spite of code inspections having been demonstrated as an effective defec t detection process, little work has been done to determine how this proces s best supports the object-oriented paradigm. In contrast, this paradigm (o r at least its questionable manifestation in C++) is well supported by tool s that purport to aid comprehension. These tools typically take the form of visualisation tools designed to assist in the maintenance process, and it is natural to consider that these tools (or adaptations thereof) might also support inspection. However, since these tools claim to aid comprehension, it is important to consider the role of comprehension in inspection. Or pu t simply, does comprehension matter, or are there simple techniques in exis tence which are similarly effective in detecting defects? This paper presen ts the issues associated with inspections land the complications presented by the object-oriented paradigm) and comprehension, and presents the result s of two experiments which considered the relationship between comprehensio n and inspection. The results indicate a relationship, but further work is needed to determine the precise nature of this relationship and how inspect ions might best be supported in the future. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.