Enhancing tools' intelligence for improved program analysis tool usability

Abstract

Program analysis tools can help developers produce high quality code by automating time-consuming tasks such as error-finding. Research has shown, however, that these tools are often not used by developers. Results from studies I have conducted provide insights into the difficulties programmers may encounter when using program analysis tools, leading to lower productivity and desire to use them. Based on these findings, my dissertation will research improving program analysis tools by enhancing tool intelligence with a programmer model that adapts notifications to programmers based on their experience with the concepts relevant to the notification.