Computer and Information Science

Associate Professor of Computer Science Gregory M. Kapfhammer and co-authors René Just and Franz Schweiggert (University of Ulm, Germany) published a paper in the proceedings of the 7th International Workshop on Mutation Analysis. The paper “Do Redundant Mutants Affect the Effectiveness and Efficiency of Mutation Analysis?” empirically answers the question posed in its title with a convincing “yes.” Then the paper describes and evaluates a method for removing redundant mutants that can decrease the cost of this important software testing technique by up to 34 percent.

Source: Academics, Publications & Research

Assistant Professor of Computer Science Janyl Jumadinova’s article “Strategic Capability-Learning for Improved Multi-Agent Collaboration in Ad-hoc Environments” has been accepted for publication in the journal IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics. Her co-authors are Raj Dasgupta (University of Nebraska – Omaha) and Leen-Kiat Soh (University of Nebraska – Lincoln).

The article studies the problem of distributed collaboration among multiple software agents in an ad-hoc setting and proposes a novel technique that employs principles from human learning theory to allow an agent to strategically learn from other agents.

Source: Academics, Publications & Research

Associate Professor of Computer Science Gregory M. Kapfhammer and co-authors Sarah R. Clark, Jake Cobb, Mary Jean Harrold (all three of the Georgia Institute of Technology), and James A. Jones (University of California, Irvine) published a paper at the IEEE/ACM International Conference on Automated Software Engineering.

“Localizing SQL Faults in Database Applications” is the first to present a method that can automatically find faults in software that uses relational databases. The empirical results in the paper reveal that the new technique reduces manual debugging effort and improves a developer’s understanding of the software under test.

You can learn more about this and other papers by clicking here  or by following Gregory Kapfhammer on Twitter.

Source: Academics, Publications & Research

Associate Professor of Computer Science Gregory M. Kapfhammer and co-authors René Just and Franz Schweiggert (University of Ulm, Germany) published a tool paper in the proceedings of the IEEE/ACM International Conference on Automated Software Engineering.

“MAJOR: An Efficient and Extensible Tool for Mutation Analysis in a Java Compiler” describes an easy-to-use tool for performing mutation analysis on Java programs. The empirical results reveal that MAJOR supports the comprehensive testing of large software applications that contain as many as 373,000 lines of code.

You can learn more about this and other papers by clicking here or by visiting or following Greg Kapfhammer on Twitter.

Source: Academics, Publications & Research

In collaboration with Liang Yalan, Changhai Nie of Nanjing University, Hareton Leung of Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Jonathan Miller Kauffman ’12, Associate Professor of Computer Science Gregory M. Kapfhammer recently published a paper at the 3rd International Symposium on Search Based Software Engineering.

Titled “Empirically Identifying the Best Genetic Algorithm for Covering Array Generation,” the paper describes and evaluates a method for testing highly-configurable software systems.

You can learn more about this and other papers by clicking here or by following Greg Kapfhammer on Twitter.

Source: Academics, Publications & Research

Professor of Art George Roland had a work of computational art accepted for exhibition in the 102nd Associated Artists of Pittsburgh Annual Exhibition, April 21–June 23, held in the Heinz Galleries of the Carnegie Museum of Art. This year’s exhibition was selected by David Norr, chief curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Cleveland.

Roland’s work was constructed through a computer program he developed using the Processing language. The program creates the images in real time, not by video or recording. As the program runs, the images appear as a rigid grid, vibrate, and then become a looser, more fluid structure.

Inspiration for the piece came from Roland’s desire to take static structures and give them the ability to perform flowing and organic movements.

“It is a singular honor to have my work represented at the Carnegie Museum of Art,” Roland says.

Source: Academics, Publications & Research

Allegheny College’s LITS team hosted GLCA-IT 2013, the annual meeting of computing professionals from GLCA schools, March 18-20. For two days, 39 technologists gathered for formal and informal sessions related to supporting technology at a liberal arts college. This year’s theme was collaboration, focusing on building conversations between staff, faculty, and students of Allegheny and other GLCA schools. Attendees found the conference a good place to exchange ideas and encourage innovative competition.

James Fadden, a member of Allegheny’s User Services group, believes that collaborative business practices are the future for the technological world.

“At the conference, it was reassuring to know we are on the right track. Compared to other GLCA schools, we are leaders in the game,” Fadden said.

Several Allegheny community members facilitated conference sessions: “Adventures in Introducing Project Management/Process Improvement,” Christine Rick; “Building Collaboration Across Communities: Perspectives from the Front,” Amelia Carr and Helen McCullough; “Collaborative Support for Effective Administrative Decisions,” P. Todd Fox and Jason Ramsey; “Implementing a Print Management System,” James Fadden, Fernando Hernandez, and Jodi Millin. Discussion sessions to open and close the conference were facilitated by Rick Holmgren. James Fadden, Michael Hurley, Helen McCullough, Rich Metzger, Jason Ramsey, and Christine Rick served as the conference planning committee.

Source: Academics, Publications & Research

Allegheny College’s LITS team hosted GLCA-IT 2013, the annual meeting of computing professionals from GLCA schools, March 18-20. For two days, 39 technologists gathered for formal and informal sessions related to supporting technology at a liberal arts college. This year’s theme was collaboration, focusing on building conversations between staff, faculty, and students of Allegheny and other GLCA schools. Attendees found the conference a good place to exchange ideas and encourage innovative competition.

James Fadden, a member of Allegheny’s User Services group, believes that collaborative business practices are the future for the technological world.

“At the conference, it was reassuring to know we are on the right track. Compared to other GLCA schools, we are leaders in the game,” Fadden said.

Several Allegheny community members facilitated conference sessions: “Adventures in Introducing Project Management/Process Improvement,” Christine Rick; “Building Collaboration Across Communities: Perspectives from the Front,” Amelia Carr and Helen McCullough; “Collaborative Support for Effective Administrative Decisions,” P. Todd Fox and Jason Ramsey; “Implementing a Print Management System,” James Fadden, Fernando Hernandez, and Jodi Millin. Discussion sessions to open and close the conference were facilitated by Rick Holmgren. James Fadden, Michael Hurley, Helen McCullough, Rich Metzger, Jason Ramsey, and Christine Rick served as the conference planning committee.

Source: Academics, Publications & Research