Abstract: An approach is described with respect to dynamically constructing and configuring a conversational agent learning model. Various aspects of the conversational agent learning model may be constructed and updated without continuous intervention of a domain administrator. A method pertaining to such approach may include retrieving a corpus of information. The corpus of information may include records from a set of repositories and external data, including data from social networks or applications. The method further may include configuring the conversational agent learning model based upon the retrieved corpus of information. The method further may include deploying the conversational agent learning model by facilitating interaction between the conversational agent learning model and a plurality of clients. The method further may include updating the conversational agent learning model to address any modification to the corpus of information.

Abstract: A computer system troubleshoots a device using a visual communications protocol. An optically-readable diagnostic code corresponding to an error condition for a device experiencing the error condition is displayed on an optical display. A first response code generated in response to the diagnostic code is scanned via an optical scanner, wherein the first response code indicates a first set of troubleshooting instructions for the error condition. The first set of troubleshooting instructions is executed using at least one processor of the device. Embodiments of the present invention further include a method and program product for troubleshooting a device using a visual communications protocol in substantially the same manner described above.

Abstract: A computer system emulates user communications within a communication session. Communications between a user and at least one participant are monitored to determine that a message from a user from the at least one participant includes content pertaining to a problematic event. The user is replaced with a communication agent in the communication session and a response is generated to the message utilizing natural language processing to emulate a conversational style of the user. Using the communication agent, the response is sent to the at least one participant in the communication session to address the problematic event. Embodiments of the present invention further include a method and program product for emulating user communications within a communication session in substantially the same manner described above.

Abstract: A computer system emulates user communications within a communication session. Communications between a user and at least one participant are monitored to determine that a message from a user from the at least one participant includes content pertaining to a problematic event. The user is replaced with a communication agent in the communication session and a response is generated to the message utilizing natural language processing to emulate a conversational style of the user. Using the communication agent, the response is sent to the at least one participant in the communication session to address the problematic event. Embodiments of the present invention further include a method and program product for emulating user communications within a communication session in substantially the same manner described above.

Abstract: A computer system troubleshoots a device using a visual communications protocol. An optically-readable diagnostic code corresponding to an error condition for a device experiencing the error condition is displayed on an optical display. A first response code generated in response to the diagnostic code is scanned via an optical scanner, wherein the first response code indicates a first set of troubleshooting instructions for the error condition. The first set of troubleshooting instructions is executed using at least one processor of the device. Embodiments of the present invention further include a method and program product for troubleshooting a device using a visual communications protocol in substantially the same manner described above.

Abstract: An approach is described with respect to dynamically constructing and configuring a conversational agent learning model. Various aspects of the conversational agent learning model may be constructed and updated without continuous intervention of a domain administrator. A method pertaining to such approach may include retrieving a corpus of information. The corpus of information may include records from a set of repositories and external data, including data from social networks or applications. The method further may include configuring the conversational agent learning model based upon the retrieved corpus of information. The method further may include deploying the conversational agent learning model by facilitating interaction between the conversational agent learning model and a plurality of clients. The method further may include updating the conversational agent learning model to address any modification to the corpus of information.

Abstract: A method is presented for installing a software application on a data processing system that may include multiple data processing entities. The software application may include multiple components for installation on one or more of the entities. The method may include providing input information for each of the components designated for installation. Each component may then be installed according to its corresponding input information, and output information corresponding to each component may be generated. This output information may be provided to one or more data processing entities identified for installation of a subsequent component. The input information corresponding to the subsequent component may be at least partially determined from this output information.

Abstract: Automatically creating a progression plan for a software test, by computing for each test period unit x the effort for attempting to perform test units, ATTx, and the effort for completing test unit execution, CCx. Three variables characterizing the test strategy are introduced in the computation: the Effectiveness, which represents the efficiency of the test team, the Defect Density rate, and the Verify rate value. By choosing the test strategy, the test manager defines the three variables' values which influence the progression plan. During test execution, a cumulative ‘attempted’ curve of the ATTx values and a cumulative ‘complete’ curve of the CCx values allow the test manager to compare the effort already made to the effort expected to be made for the Test Units which have been attempted and for the Test Units which have been completed, i.e. when the defects found in the code have been corrected.

Abstract: Automatically creating a progression plan for a software test, by computing for each test period unit x the effort for attempting to perform test units, ATTx, and the effort for completing test unit execution, CCx. Three variables characterizing the test strategy are introduced in the computation: the Effectiveness, which represents the efficiency of the test team, the Defect Density rate, and the Verify rate value. By choosing the test strategy, the test manager defines the three variables' values which influence the progression plan. During test execution, a cumulative ‘attempted’ curve of the ATTx values and a cumulative ‘complete’ curve of the CCx values allow the test manager to compare the effort already made to the effort expected to be made for the Test Units which have been attempted and for the Test Units which have been completed, i.e. when the defects found in the code have been corrected.

Abstract: A technique for monitoring computers connected to a hardware switch. The switch is used to selectively connect a single set of peripheral units to the central unit of a selected one of the computers. In the proposed solution, status information of each non-selected computer is transmitted from the corresponding central unit to the switch. For this purpose, it is preferably exploited a corresponding bi-directional input port—such as of the USE type. The switch routes the status information of the different non-selected computers to the central unit of the selected computer. The central unit of the selected computer aggregates the status information with its output information, and then transmits this aggregated information to the switch for its display on a monitor. For example, the output information is shown in a main area of the screen, while the status information is shown in a reserved strip on top of it.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a cost associated with a test scenario, which test scenario comprises one or more branches making up a use case, the method comprising the steps of: determining a first parameter based on the complexity of the use case; determining a second parameter which indicates the criticality of the use case; determining a third parameter which indicates an execution cost of each action and decision point of the use case; determining a fourth parameter which indicates the priority of each branch of the use case; determining a fifth parameter which indicates the classification of each test parameter for each branch of the use case; determining a cost associated with the test scenario, based on a predetermined calculation using two or more of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth parameters.

Abstract: A method is presented for installing a software application on a data processing system that may include multiple data processing entities. The software application may include multiple components for installation on one or more of the entities. The method may include providing input information for each of the components designated for installation. Each component may then be installed according to its corresponding input information, and output information corresponding to each component may be generated. This output information may be provided to one or more data processing entities identified for installation of a subsequent component. The input information corresponding to the subsequent component may be at least partially determined from this output information.

Abstract: A technique for monitoring computers connected to a hardware switch. The switch is used to selectively connect a single set of peripheral units to the central unit of a selected one of the computers. In the proposed solution, status information of each non-selected computer is transmitted from the corresponding central unit to the switch. For this purpose, it is preferably exploited a corresponding bi-directional input port—such as of the USE type. The switch routes the status information of the different non-selected computers to the central unit of the selected computer. The central unit of the selected computer aggregates the status information with its output information, and then transmits this aggregated information to the switch for its display on a monitor. For example, the output information is shown in a main area of the screen, while the status information is shown in a reserved strip on top of it.