PROFES 2024
Mon 2 - Wed 4 December 2024 Tartu, Estonia

In recent years, both Large Language Models (LLMs) and low-code development platforms (LCDP) have shown potential to fundamentally change the way how software products and applications are developed. They open up new paths to both combat the shortage of skilled software developers by increasing developer efficiency and lower the entry barrier for citizen developers to develop and maintain software on their own. This paper investigates whether these technologies can be combined to be even more powerful and what the target audience’s opinions and suggestions for such a solution are. To do this, a solution concept and prototypical implementation were developed. Using the prototype, one can describe desired changes in an Oracle Application Express (APEX) low-code application to the GPT-4 Turbo LLM in a chat. The LLM then calls specific edit functions that the system offers for performing the changes and generates appropriate replies to the user. This solution enables citizen developers to edit a fully functional Web application through natural language without help from a professional software developer. We also present a qualitative user study that we performed with ten Oracle APEX customers. It showed that participants have a rather positive opinion of both the fundamental concept and the prototype, liking aspects like its time-savings and ease of use. The study also uncovered some problems like a lack of a common vocabulary or technical understanding between the LLM and some users. However, participants already suggested ways to remedy such problems like integrating a glossary or element inspector into the prototype. Overall, the study highlights the feasibility and potential of the system and outlines multiple directions for its further development.

Tue 3 Dec

Displayed time zone: Athens change

16:00 - 17:30
PROFES Session 5: AI for Software Engineering in Practice (I)Industry Papers / Short Papers and Posters / Research Papers at UT Library - Room 2 (Seminar Room Tõstamaa)
Chair(s): Rudolf Ramler Software Competence Center Hagenberg (SCCH)
16:00
18m
Industry talk
A Multi-model Approach for Video Data Retrieval in Autonomous Vehicle Development
Industry Papers
Jesper Knapp Chalmers | University of Gothenburg, Klas Moberg Chalmers | University of Gothenburg, Yuchuan Jin Zenseact, Simin Sun Chalmers | University of Gothenburg, Miroslaw Staron University of Gothenburg
16:18
12m
Short-paper
Enhancing Transparency in Space Metrics Use: Insights from an Initial Study
Short Papers and Posters
Kseniia Vasylieva Reutlingen University, Thomas Brenner OHB System AG, Marco Kuhrmann Reutlingen University, Jürgen Münch Reutlingen University
16:30
18m
Research paper
Supporting the Development of Oracle APEX Low-Code Applications With Large Language Models
Research Papers
Simon Cornelius Gorissen TEAM GmbH, Stefan Sauer Paderborn University, Wolf G. Beckmann TEAM GmbH
16:48
18m
Industry talk
AI-based Automotive Test Case Generation: An Action Research Study on Integration of Generative AI into Test Automation Frameworks
Industry Papers
Albin Karlsson Chalmers | University of Gothenburg, Erik Lindmaa Chalmers | University of Gothenburg, Simin Sun Chalmers | University of Gothenburg, Miroslaw Staron University of Gothenburg
17:06
24m
Talk
Session 5 Discussion
Research Papers