1 Emerging Research Concepts for Very Large-Scale Software Engineering Walt Scacchi Institute for Software Research University of California, Irvine Irvine, CA, USA 4 January 2006

2 Overview Very Large-Scale Software Engineering –Engineering software-intensive systems consisting of >5M SLOC and/or >5K components/subsystems VLSSE Processes –Alternative ways to rapidly develop, analyze, deploy, evolve VLSS systems (Open Source Software Development) OSSD/SE Processes Accommodating New H/W platforms

3 Knowledge needed Need to acquire knowledge about development processes, work practices, community dynamics, and system configuration management techniques employed in large- scale (500K-5M SLOC) and very large-scale (>5M SLOC) OSSD projects. –Focused, in-depth, and comparative case studies –Producing shareable, reusable, redeployable knowledge assets

4 Knowledge needed Need to acquire knowledge of the (modular) architectures of the software systems, development teams, and user communities found in very large OSSD projects. –VLSIS architectures are socio-technical interaction networks, not just software. –Need knowledge for how to model, visualize, analyze, simulate, and enact OSSD project architectures, and their continuous evolution

5 Knowledge needed Need to acquire knowledge for how best to adaptively configure modular force architectures for: –Software systems –Developer and User teams –Supporting contractors –Remote contributors (e.g., OSS community contributors)

6 Very Large-Scale Software Engineering: Advanced R&D opportunity areas Architectural specification (system, services (data, protocols, processes), team/organization. Configuration management and version control Process automation—builds, regression tests, etc. Reliance on informalisms for development –Current SE formalisms and tools don’t scale well or don’t work well in practice to support VLSEE

7 Very Large-Scale Software Engineering Research needs to consider: –Test-beds for full-size system mock-ups (probably built from OSS and Computer Game components) –Visualization aids—architecture, configuration, socio- technical networks –Empirical knowledge about existing VLSEE practices for both OSS and CSS/COTS –Computer-supported cooperative organizational learning environments (CSCOLE) supporting organizational transformation Need to invent new ways to rapidly transform LSEE and VLSEE practices in industry

8 VLSSE Processes: Advanced R&D opportunity areas Configuration management and version control Architectural specification and maintenance Collaboration, leadership, control and conflict management VLSEE community development and support Software source code and artifact data mining

9 OSSD/SE Processes Accommodating New H/W New H/W being developed to support computer games and grid-based computing clusters using (massively scalable) cell/multi-core processors –Future USAF training and war games should be capable of modeling, simulating, and dynamically reconfiguring “modular wings” with high visual and operational realism in alternative engagement scenarios Games and grids increasingly depend on OSSD methods and technologies –“Globus” grid middleware is OSS –Support for OSS game development capabilities now packaged with many successful computer games sold retail –“USAF: Air Dominance” flight mission training game developed in 3 months at 1/20 cost of America’s Army via OSS game modding techniques

10 OSSD/SE Processes Accommodating New H/W: Research Opportunity Enable/subsidize the OSS Game and Grid Development to lead the way, and to contribute to sustaining the effort. –Example: Engage contractor to setup a “Corporate sponsored” OSS Game Grid project to develop and evolve a massively multi-player online game environment for “playing” real-time strategy games using models/visions of tomorrow’s AF.

11 Example Research opportunity Need to invent new massively multiplayer online game or game- grid employing reusable launch vehicle and manned/unmanned aerial surveillance