SWIG (Software Improvement Group) is a collection of the following research projects:

• Advanced Compiler Technology. David Tarditi leads the ACT group, which studies programming language implementation and design.  The group is interested in compilers, runtime systems, and language design.  The group’s research areas include compilation of managed code, automatic storage management, typed assembly language, language features for improving program reliability, and language design and compilation for parallel hardware.
• Concurrency Research.   Jim Larus is starting a new group to explore ways to improve parallel programming. The group will focus on improvement in languages, compilers, and tools, with a goal of reducing the complexity and difficult of developing software for parallel computers.
• Human Interaction in Programming. Rob DeLine leads the HIP group, which uses HCI techniques like controlled user studies and ethnography to study software developers, testers, managers and their teams. The goal is to produce innovative software development tools that address human and social issues, like limited working memory, limited attention, frequent interruption and shifting social networks.
• Runtime Analysis and Design. Trishul Chilimbi leads the RAD group, which explores efficient runtime measurement and analysis techniques to improve software quality. It uses hybrid static-dynamic analysis, statistical sampling techniques, continuous online adaptation, and customized program execution environments.
• Software Reliability Research. Thomas Ball leads the SRR group, which studies how program analysis, program verification and software measurement techniques can be used to improve the quality of software. Current projects include CHESS (checking of system software), Metrizone (software metrics measurement and modeling) and Zap (automated theorem proving for software analysis).

Questions? Contact Jim Larus (larus@microsoft.com).