Reducing false-positive errors in a software change-impact analysis

A computer program product, comprising a computer-readable hardware storage device having a computer-readable program code stored therein, said program code configured to be executed by a processor of a computer system to implement a method for reducing false-positive errors in a software change-impact analysis of a basepoint variable, the method comprising:

• the processor receiving an identification of the basepoint variable;
• the processor identifying a first generation of candidate change-affected parts, wherein the first generation comprises parts of one or more computer programs, wherein the first generation comprises a first candidate part, and wherein the first candidate part may be affected by a change to the basepoint variable;
• the processor confirming that the identification of the first candidate part is unlikely to be a false-positive identification;
• the processor adding the first candidate part to a set of confirmed change-affected parts;
• and
• the processor selecting a next generation of candidate change-affected parts, wherein the next generation comprises parts of one or more computer programs, wherein the next generation comprises a second candidate part, and wherein the second candidate part may be affected by a change to the first candidate part.

A computer system comprising a processor, a memory coupled to said processor, and a computer-readable hardware storage device coupled to said processor, said storage device containing program code configured to be run by said processor via the memory to implement a method for reducing false-positive errors in a software change-impact analysis of a basepoint variable, the method comprising:

• the processor receiving an identification of the basepoint variable;
• the processor identifying a first generation of candidate change-affected parts, wherein the first generation comprises parts of one or more computer programs, wherein the first generation comprises a first candidate part, and wherein the first candidate part may be affected by a change to the basepoint variable;
• the processor confirming that the identification of the first candidate part is unlikely to be a false-positive identification;
• the processor adding the first candidate part to a set of confirmed change-affected parts;
• and
• the processor selecting a next generation of candidate change-affected parts, wherein the next generation comprises parts of one or more computer programs, wherein the next generation comprises a second candidate part, and wherein the second candidate part may be affected by a change to the first candidate part.