Ohjelmistoinspektiot

Ohjelmistoinspektiot, often translated as software inspections or code reviews, are a systematic and formal process within software development for examining source code or other software artifacts to find defects. The primary goal is to identify and correct errors early in the development lifecycle, thereby reducing the cost of fixing them later. This method is a form of static testing, meaning it is performed without actually executing the software.

The inspection process typically involves a structured meeting where a team of trained individuals, including the author of the code, an inspector, a moderator, and a reader, meticulously go through the code. The reader explains the code line by line, while the inspectors and other participants look for potential errors, deviations from standards, and areas of concern. This collaborative approach leverages the collective knowledge and experience of the team to uncover a wider range of issues than an individual might find.

Common types of defects found during inspections include logic errors, design flaws, incorrect use of language features, non-compliance with coding standards, and performance inefficiencies. The process often results in a list of identified defects, which are then documented and assigned to the author for correction. After the defects are fixed, a re-inspection may occur to verify the corrections.

Software inspections are considered a highly effective defect detection technique. Studies have shown that they can find a significant percentage of defects at a relatively low cost compared to other testing methods, especially when implemented rigorously and with proper training. The formality and structured nature of inspections contribute to their success in improving software quality and reliability.