Software certification for industry-verification and validation issues in expert systems

Abstract

Research in verification and validation (V&V) of knowledge based systems (KBS) has emerged as a distinct field in the last decade and is intended to address issues associated with KBS quality aspects and to credit such applications to the same degree as conventional applications. Part of the knowledge and techniques developed are now ready to be transferred to industry for the implementation of software certification. Certification is probably the most advanced use of the V&V methods, techniques and knowledge that have been developed so far. The paper approaches the challenging issues of certifying the knowledge base (KB) component of a KBS. KB certification uses a number of different certification methods such as static analysis, testing, inspection, and modeling to assess the quality of the KB component. Although these methods are currently used in KBS development, it is not yet clear how they would be applied by an independent certification organization to arrive at a pass/fail decision. The article discusses the components of KB certification and identifies application areas directly connected with industrial needs.