A Web-based modeling tool for the SEMAT Essence theory of software engineering

Daniel Graziotin ,Pekka Abrahamsson

doi:10.5334/jors.ad

Daniel Graziotin , Pekka Abrahamsson

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5334/jors.ad

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Abstract

As opposed to more mature subjects, software engineering lacks general theories to establish its foundations as a discipline. The Essence Theory of software engineering (Essence) has been proposed by the Software Engineering Methods and Theory (SEMAT) initiative. Essence goal is to develop a theoretically sound basis for software engineering practice and its wide adoption. Essence is yet far from reaching academic and industry adoption. Reasons include a struggle to foresee its utilization potential and the lack of tools implementing it. SEMAT Accelerator (SematAcc) is a Web-positioning tool for a software engineering endeavor, which implements the SEMAT's Essence kernel. SematAcc allows using Essence, thus helping to understand it. The tool enables teaching, adopting, and researching Essence in controlled experiments and case studies.

Highlights

As opposed to more mature subjects, software engineering lacks general theories that establish its foundations as a discipline
Well-established academic disciplines emerged from practices without focusing on the underlying theory[1]
General and advanced scientific theories have been developed as they are essential for the advancement of scientific fields[2]

Summary

SOFTWARE METAPAPER

As opposed to more mature subjects, software engineering lacks general theories that establish its foundations as a discipline. The goal of Essence is to develop a theoretically sound basis for software engineering practice and its wide adoption. Essence is far from reaching academic- and industry-wide adoption. The reasons for this include a struggle to foresee its utilization potential and a lack of tools for implementation. SEMAT Accelerator (SematAcc) is a Web-positioning tool for a software engineering endeavor, which implements the SEMAT’s Essence kernel. The tool enables the teaching, adoption, and research of Essence in controlled experiments and case studies.

Introduction

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