ICICLE: Intelligent code inspection in a C language environment

Attention is given to ICICLE (intelligent code inspection in a C language environment), an intelligent assistant that augments manual code inspection by providing a rule-based static-debugging tool, hypertext-based browsers for referring to various kinds of knowledge associated with code inspection (e.g., the application domain knowledge and the knowledge of the programming environment), a powerful human interface for preparing comments on the code under inspection, and a CSCW (computer-supported cooperative work) platform for conducting code inspection meetings. ICICLE has been prototyped on UNIX workstations using a commercial multi-paradigm expert system shell and a window package for implementing CSCW. The initial prototype has been significantly enhanced based on the feedback from extensive videotaped usability testing sessions which used a real-world application. It is currently being used for live code inspection by an initial user organization. The goals, the approach, the architecture, the main components, the usability testing, and the future directions of ICICLE are described.<>