Using benchmarking to advance research: a challenge to software engineering

  • Authors:
  • Susan Elliott Sim;Steve Easterbrook;Richard C. Holt

  • Affiliations:
  • University of Toronto;University of Toronto;University of Waterloo

  • Venue:
  • Proceedings of the 25th International Conference on Software Engineering
  • Year:
  • 2003

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Abstract

Benchmarks have been used in computer science to compare the performance of computer systems, information retrieval algorithms, databases, and many other technologies. The creation and widespread use of a benchmark within a research area is frequently accompanied by rapid technical progress and community building. These observations have led us to formulate a theory of benchmarking within scientific disciplines. Based on this theory, we challenge software engineering research to become more scientific and cohesive by working as a community to define benchmarks. In support of this challenge, we present a case study of the reverse engineering community, where we have successfully used benchmarks to advance the state of research.