Comparison of computer support systems for software inspection

Software inspection is universally accepted as an effective defect finding technique. Recent research in inspection has investigated the development of computer support, aimed at further improving its efficiency and effectiveness. This has resulted in the development of a number of prototype support tools. In 1996, the authors published a review of five inspection tools. Since then there has been an explosion in the number available, with a wide variety of innovative approaches and features. This paper reviews sixteen such tools. Despite the quantity of tools available, some fundamental weaknesses still exist. The authors have been working to develop a second generation tool which tackles these limitations, a brief description of this tool is also included in the paper.