Alok the 12th
The Computer Science Department has awarded its twelfth Ph.D. degree to Alok Mehta. The advisor was George Heineman.
Alok successfully defended his thesis in public before his Ph.D. committee on November 13th, 2002. His committee consisted of WPI Profs. George Heineman, Elke Rundensteiner, and Mike Ciaraldi, plus Dr. Alexander L. Wolf, from the Computer Science Department, University of Colorado at Boulder.
His thesis title is "Evolving Legacy Systems by Locating System Features using Regression Test Cases".
Thesis Abstract
There is a constant need for practical, efficient and cost-effective software evolution techniques. We propose a novel evolution methodology that integrates the concepts of features, regression tests, and component-based software engineering (CBSE). Regression test cases are untapped resources, full of information about system features. By exercising each feature with their associated test cases using code profilers and similar tools, code can be located and refactored to create components. These components are then inserted back into the legacy system, ensuring a working system structure. This methodology is divided into three parts. Part one identifies the source code associated with features that need evolution. Part two deals with creating components and part three measures results. By applying this methodology, AFS has successfully restructured its enterprise legacy system and reduced the costs of future maintenance. Additionally, the components that were refactored from the legacy system are currently being used within a web-enabled application.
Dr. Mehta is Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of AFS, American Financial Systems Inc. He joined AFS in 1990. In addition to his CS degrees, he has an MBA. In his spare time, he is a highly competitive racquetball player, winning a silver medal last year in The National Racquetball Tournament.