From Requirements to Code: Syntax-Based Requirements Analysis for Data-Driven Application Development

Goran Glavas, Kresimir Fertalj, Jan Snajder

Abstract: Requirements analysis phase of information system development is still predominantly human activity. Software requirements are commonly written in natural language, at least during the early stages of the development process. In this paper we present a simple method for automated analysis of requirements specifications for data-driven applications. Our approach is rule-based and uses dependency syntax parsing for the extraction of domain entities, attributes, and relationships. The results obtained from several test cases show that hand-crafted rules applied on the dependency parse of the requirements sentences might offer a feasible approach for the task. Finally, we discuss applicability and limitations of the presented approach.