Computation scrapbooks for software evolution.

ABSTRACTPrevious uses of persistent computation state have focused on fault tolerant computing, continuations of interactive sessions, process migration, and debugging. Dramatic increases in computer power and storage have made additional uses practical. SBDebug is a Computation Scrapbook system that explores how multiple 100% complete snapshots of runtime state can help support other aspects of software development. Snapshots stored in a Computation Scrapbook can document source code, initialize and evaluate the testing of code, and provide criteria for automatic code generation. In this way, Computation Scrapbooks show potential for use in many phases in the evolution of software, including the reading, writing, testing, transforming, debugging, and documenting of programs.