Using Formal Models to Objectively Judge Quality of Multi-Threaded
Programs in Empirical Studies

Laura K. Dillon
Michigan State University
http://www.cse.msu.edu/~ldillon

Abstract: 

Empirical studies are important for understanding how well current
design methods and notations support development of multithreaded
programs. Unfortunately, concurrency exacerbates an already difficult
problem in drawing conclusions from such studies: How to objectively
measure the quality of candidate solutions produced by participants in
the studies. This talk explores the use of formal modeling and
analysis for this purpose. We describe initial findings of a small
pilot study to determine if we can objectively differentiate sample
candidate solutions with respect to their use of synchronization
primitives.