The FRIL Model Approach for Software Diversity Assessment

Abstract

The approach consisted of developing a conceptual model and subsequently implementing it as a prototype knowledge based system to assess both the similarity and dissimilarity of two software systems developed from the same requirement. In essence the model tries to determine the diversity of two programs by comparing whatever evidence is available regarding those attributes that have the potential of influencing diversity. Some of the information upon which such an assessment is made will be of variable quality and in some cases information will be completely lacking. In order to enable all of this information to be represented in a consistent way the model was implemented in FRIL (Fuzzy Relational Inference Language) as FRIL is capable of representing knowledge bases containing uncertainties of a probabilistic, fuzzy and evidential nature.