Optimal software release policy with a learning factor for imperfect debugging

A software release game was formulated by Zeephongsekul and Chiera [Zeephongsekul, P. & Chiera, C. (1995). Optimal software release policy based on a two-person game of timing. Journal of Applied Probability 32: 470–481] and was reconsidered by Dohi et al. [Dohi, T., Teraoka, Y., & Osaki, S. (2000). Software release games. Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications 105(2): 325–346] in a framework of two-person nonzero-sum games. In this paper, we further point out the faults in the above literature and revisit the Nash equilibrium strategies in the software release games from the viewpoints of both silent and noisy type of games. It is shown that the Nash equilibrium strategies in the silent and noisy of software release games exist under some parametric conditions.

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A discrete SRGM for multi-release software system with imperfect debugging and related optimal release policy

2015 International Conference on Futuristic Trends on Computational Analysis and Knowledge Management (ABLAZE) ◽

10.1109/ablaze.2015.7154990 ◽

2015 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Anu G. Aggarwal ◽

Nidhi Nijhawan ◽

P. K. Kapur

Keyword(s):

Software System ◽

Imperfect Debugging ◽

Release Policy ◽

Optimal Release Policy

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Software warranty cost optimization under imperfect debugging

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management ◽

10.1108/ijqrm-03-2019-0088 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 37 (9/10) ◽

pp. 1233-1257

Author(s):

Vibha Verma ◽

Sameer Anand ◽

Anu Gupta Aggarwal

Keyword(s):

Software Development ◽

Optimization Problem ◽

Failure Process ◽

Release Time ◽

Development Cost ◽

Data Set ◽

Imperfect Debugging ◽

Content Type ◽

Software Release ◽

The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify and quantify the key components of the overall cost of software development when warranty coverage is given by a developer. Also, the authors have studied the impact of imperfect debugging on the optimal release time, warranty policy and development cost which signifies that it is important for the developers to control the parameters that cause a sharp increase in cost. Design/methodology/approach An optimization problem is formulated to minimize software development cost by considering imperfect fault removal process, faults generation at a constant rate and an environmental factor to differentiate the operational phase from the testing phase. Another optimization problem under perfect debugging conditions, i.e. without error generation is constructed for comparison. These optimization models are solved in MATLAB, and their solutions provide insights to the degree of impact of imperfect debugging on the optimal policies with respect to software release time and warranty time. Findings A real-life fault data set of Radar System is used to study the impact of various cost factors via sensitivity analysis on release and warranty policy. If firms tend to provide warranty for a longer period of time, then they may have to bear losses due to increased debugging cost with more number of failures occurring during the warrantied time but if the warranty is not provided for sufficient time it may not act as sufficient hedge during field failures. Originality/value Every firm is fighting to remain in the competition and expand market share by offering the latest technology-based products, using innovative marketing strategies. Warranty is one such strategic tool to promote the product among masses and develop a sense of quality in the user’s mind. In this paper, the failures encountered during development and after software release are considered to model the failure process.

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