Showing papers in "Computer Science and Information Systems in 2007"

Ambient Intelligence: Concepts and applications

Abstract: Ambient Intelligence aims to enhance the way people interact with their environment to promote safety and to enrich their lives. A Smart Home is one such system but the idea extends to hospitals, public transport, factories and other environments. The achievement of Ambient Intelligence largely depends on the technology deployed (sensors and devices interconnected through networks) as well as on the intelligence of the software used for decision-making. The aims of this article are to describe the characteristics of systems with Ambient Intelligence, to provide examples of their applications and to highlight the challenges that lie ahead, especially for the Software Engineering and Knowledge Engineering communities. In particular we address system specification and verification for the former and knowledge acquisition from the vast amount of data collected for the latter. .

Prototype environment for controller programming in the IEC 61131-3 ST language

Abstract: A prototype compiler of the ST language (Structured Text), its operation and internal structure is presented. The compiler is a principal part of CPDev engineering environment for programming industrial controllers according to IEC 61131-3 standard. The CPDev is under development at Rzeszow University of Technology. The compiler generates an universal executable code as final result. The code can be interpreted on different platforms by target-specific virtual machines. Sample platforms include AVR, ARM, MCS-51, PC.

A Generator of SQL Schema Specifications

Abstract: IIS*Case is an integrated CASE tool that supports the automation and intelligent support of complex and highly formalized design and programming tasks in the development of an information system. IIS*Case, as a tool from the class of domain oriented design environments, generates relational database schemas in 3rd normal form with all relevant data constraints. SQL Generator is an IIS*Case tool that generates the implementation specification of a database schema according to ANSI SQL:2003 standard. The generator may also produce a database schema specification for Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle DBMSs. The paper describes SQL Generator's traits, considers aspects of its application, and shows its use in the implementation of a complex database constraint using procedural mechanisms of a particular relational DBMS. SQL Generator is implemented in Java and Oracle JDeveloper environment.

Developing a new color model for image analysis and processing

Abstract: The theoretical outcomes and experimental results of new color model implemented in algorithms and software of image processing are presented in the paper. This model, as it will be shown below, may be used in modern real time video processing applications such as radar tracking and communication systems. The developed model allows carrying out the image process with the least time delays (i.e. it speeding up image processing). The proposed model can be used to solve the problem of true color object identification Experimental results show that the time spent during RGI color model conversion may approximately four times less than the time spent during other similar models. .

Constructing program animations using a pattern-based approach

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to discuss how our pattern-based strategy for the visualization of data and control flow can effectively be used to animate the program and exhibit its behavior. That result allows us to propose its use for Program Comprehension. The animator uses well known compiler techniques to inspect the source code in order to extract the necessary information to visualize it and understand program execution. We convert the source program into an internal decorated (or attributed) abstract syntax tree and then we visualize the structure by traversing it, and applying visualization rules at each node according to a pre-defined rule-base. In order to calculate the next step in the program execution, a set of rewriting rules are applied to the tree. The visualization of this new tree is shown and the program animation is constructed using an iterative process. No changes are made in the source code, and the execution is simulated step by step. Several examples of visualization are shown to illustrate the approach and support our idea of applying it in the context of a Program Comprehension environment.

A simple implementation of grammar libraries

Abstract: This paper presents an extension of the Tatoo compiler compiler that supports separate compilation and dynamic linking of formal grammars. It allows the developer to define reusable libraries of grammars such as those of arithmetic expressions or of classical control operators. The aim of this feature is to simplify the development of domain specific languages especially for non specialists in grammar writing.

Functional approach to the adaptation of languages instead of software systems

Abstract: From the viewpoint of adaptability, we classify software systems as being nonreflexive, introspective and adaptive. Introducing a simple example of LL(1) languages for expressions, we present its nonreflexive and adaptive implementation using Haskell functional language. Multiple metalevel concepts are an essential demand for a systematic language approach, to build up adaptable software systems dynamically, i.e. to evolve them. A feedback reflection loop from data to code through metalevel data is the basic implementation requirement and the proposition for semi-automatic evolution of software systems. In this sense, practical experiment introduced in this paper is related to the base level of language, but it illustrates the ability for extensions primarily in horizontal but also in vertical direction of an adaptive system.

No Cure No Pay: How to Contract for Software Services

Abstract: of all software projects are total failures and another 40% are partial failures according to widely quoted surveys in UK, USA and Norway. Large government projects in all 3 countries have been reported with spectacular failure and expense to taxpayers (Royal Academy of Engineering and British Computer Society 2004). What is the problem? Most discussions have centered on improving the software engineering process itself: better estimation, better requirements, better reuse and better testing. No doubt all those can be improved. However, I suggest the motivation to improve them needs to be put in place first. Think about it. Most of these failures have been fully paid for! We not only pay well for failure, but the bigger the failure, the more people get paid! My suggestion is simple. Pay only when defined results are provably delivered. This requires several things: ∞ Contracts that release payment only for meaningful results; ∞ The ability to define those results, particularly qualitative ones, and particularly the organizational ones; ∞ The ability to deliver those results incrementally, thus proving capability at early stages and continuously. Note: This paper specifically addresses the software problem, but I am sure that the ideas here apply to the wider systems engineering problem to some interesting degree as well.

"Security of Computer Systems and Networks" Book Preview.

Abstract: This paper presents preview of the new book titled “Security of Computer Systems and Networks” (original in Serbian language “Sigurnost računarskih sistema i mreža”) – textbook for University lectures, but also a book that covers majority of important areas concerning current state of security. The book is the result of lecturing experience, research in this area, and also practical experience that authors have in many fields, including but not limited to architecture and design of security products and software, network projects, consultancy, analysis of issues and problems and providing solutions to them. It is not just a textbook for students, as it is suitable for all IT professionals and also for company management including IT as well as general management for companies, organizations and government agencies that base their vital infrastructure on computer and mobile technology. It is suitable for decision makers and for people who want to get almost complete overview of the computer and network security as it is now. In some areas of computer security, such as intrusion prevention and detection systems, e-commerce, and proper network and operating system security administration, this book goes one step further, presenting some novelties in the field and suggesting new solutions for

Using Customizable Properties to make Object Representation a First-Class Citizen

Abstract: Many object-oriented programming languages use fields to represent object state. This representation however, cannot be altered sufficiently when subclassing. Moreover, in languages such as Java and C#, proper encapsulation of fields necessitates a lot of boilerplate code. In this paper, we introduce our concept of properties, which are far more flexible for use with inheritance and greatly reduce boilerplate code compared to C# properties. Using our properties makes it easier for programmers to model programs in a more consistent manner. Furthermore, our Properties allow redefining an object's attributes in ways that equal the possibilities for redefinition of virtual methods in many programming languages, which makes them better suited to deal with unanticipated reuse. Specifically, using our construct, it becomes possible to join several superclass attributes into only one at the subclass level, conjointly decreasing memory consumption.

Building an advanced invariant real-time human tracking system

Abstract: Real-time human tracking is very important in surveillance and robot applications. We note that the performance of any human tracking system depends on its accuracy and its ability to deal with various human sizes in a fast way. In this paper, we combined the presented works in [1, 2] to come with new human tracking algorithm that is robust to background and lighting changes and does not require special hardware components. In addition this system can handle various scales of human images. The proposed system uses sum of absolute difference (SAD) with thresholding as has been described in [2] and compares the output with the predefined person pattern using the technique which has been described in [1]. Using the combination between [1,2] approaches will enhance the performance and speed of the tracking system since pattern matching has been performed according to just one pattern. After matching stage, a specific file is created for each tracked person, this file includes image sequences for that person. The proposed system handles shadows removal, lighting changes, and background changes with infinite pattern scales using standard personal computer..

OORS: An object-oriented rewrite system

Abstract: Retargeting a compiler’s back end to a new architecture is a time-consuming process. This becomes an evident problem in the area of programmable graphics hardware (graphics processing units, GPUs) or embedded processors, where architectural changes are faster than elsewhere. We propose the object-oriented rewrite system OORS to overcome this problem. Using the OORS language, a compiler developer can express the code generation and optimization phase in terms of cost-annotated rewrite rules supporting complex non-linearmatching and replacing patterns. Retargetability is achieved by organizing rules into profiles, one for each supported target architecture. Featuring a rule and profile inheritance mechanism, OORS makes the reuse of existing specifications possible. This is an improvement regarding traditional approaches. Altogether OORS increases the maintainability of the compiler’s back end and thus both decreases the complexity and reduces the effort of the retargeting process. To show the potential of this approach, we have implemented a code generation and a code optimization pattern matcher supporting different target architectures using the OORS language and introduced them in a compiler of a programming language for CPUs and GPUs.

On syntax-directed adjoint fortran code

Abstract: Gradients of high-dimensional functions can be computed efficiently and with machine accuracy by so-called adjoint codes. We present an L-attributed grammar for the single-pass generation of intraprocedural adjoint code for a subset of Fortran. Our aim is to integrate the syntax directed approach into the front-end of the NAGWare Fortran compiler. Research prototypes of this compiler that build adjoint code based on an abstract intermediate representation have been developed for several years. We consider the syntax-directed generation of adjoint code as a low development cost alternative to more sophisticated algorithms. The price to pay comes in form of a very limited set of code optimizations that can be performed in a single-pass setting.