Tool Review

IBM Rational Performance Tester

Performance Tester is a performance testing tool used to identify the presence and cause of system performance bottlenecks.

Introduction

• Identify the presence and cause of system performance bottlenecks
• Create code free tests quickly without programming knowledge
• Provides a rich, tree-based test editor that delivers both high-level and detailed views of tests
• Automates identification and management of dynamic server responses
• Enables Windows, Linux and mainframe technology-based test execution
• Reports in real time to enable immediate recognition of performance problems and renders an HTML browser-like view of Web pages in the test
• Supports load testing against a broad range of applications such as HTTP, SAP, Siebel, SIP, TCP Socket and Citrix
• Operating systems supported: Windows, Linux

Features

• Script less Testing
• Find and diagnose the cause of performance problems
• Integrated Resource Monitoring

Benefits

• No programming knowledge is necessary to create, comprehend, edit or execute a performance test. Tests are displayed as hierarchical list of the Web pages that will be visited during execution. While test complexity is masked by default, advanced testers have access to all transactional information such as underlying page elements and server responses
• Rational Performance Tester goes beyond problem identification to problem diagnosis. Using Root Cause Analysis features, you can identify both the source code and physical application tier that is causing the bottleneck. With the generated UML sequence diagrams you can trace all activity that occurred just prior to the bottleneck to truly enable you to address the root cause of your performance problem
• Testers must be vigilant to detect performance and reliability problems that can be traced to hardware issues. IBM Rational Performance Tester can collect and display multiple resource statistics from any tier of the system under test, thereby exposing hardware related bottlenecks responsible for poor performance

Automation Implementation in QA Project

Project Name:

Automation Tool: QTP 9.0

Framework Used: Hybrid Framework (Data Driven + Flow Driven)

Need of Automation

• Speed
• Coverage
• Consistency
• Rigorous Functional Testing

Framework Implementation

• Support libraries – General purpose routines and utilities that allow the framework to perform it is supposed to do. These libraries are the combination of modules, procedures and/or functions for the procedures and/or functions for the application that can be used for removing redundancy and ease of maintenance. These generic and reusable functions we have placed in a separate library so that these could also be used later on in other projects without doing any modification
• Functions – Various flows for different-2 products and scenarios have been divided in VBScript functions. Common functions such as string handling, date conversions and numeric conversions can be scripted upfront and be part of the above libraries in order to reduce redundancy
• Exception handling – For handling exceptions we have created different – 2 functions and a log file that contains all the error messages and error numbers. When ever an exception occurs our framework takes a snapshot for that error and moves this snap shot in log file
• Programming Approach – For our frame work we have used descriptive programming. So in this phase we have analyzed which approach of DP we have to use the first one that is property name:= value or second one that is Description.Create
•  Data tables – These data tables we have used to supply data from outside. These are excel and .txt file from which we are supplying data
• Nomenclature of scripts – Came up with a standard name for the scripts and modules, mapping each function/ library / object identified above with a name that is logical
• Coding Standards – What is the de facto coding standard? These activities help us to define the name of the variables and other standards. If the project is being implemented using a programming language already in use, then we can use the standards already in place
• Strategy for configuration Management – This activity answers the following queries:

             

§         How would the versioning be done? The scripts will conform to the version of software they were developed for. In case there are changes to the software a new version would have to be created

§         Deciding on the application to be used for configuration management

§         Deciding the labels and the versioning strategy for multiple releases / applications

• Scope Document for QTP – This activity aims to list out the limitations of QTP encountered during the   Framework design and analysis phase. This would be an ongoing activity throughout the project.      Identifying the same at this stage helped us get a head start in resolving issues with Mercury and   decide what is and is not “Automatable” within QTP and what needs special handling
• Checklist for Automation – The checklist that needs to be followed for each script

§         Are the naming/coding standards followed?

§         Are there interfaces present and have they been identified appropriately?

§         Are there comments that would enable re use / maintenance appropriately?

• Environmental Needs – There must be a stable and restricted environment identified only for automation with strict code control. The database used for Automation scripts will have to same as database for QA Environment

Benefits achieved out of Automation

• Speed
• Coverage
• Consistency

Challenges faced

In this application flow is something like - Front Office user will book a product/trade and Front Office user can only perform Front Office related operations while Middle Office user will authorize or reject or delete this trade and application uses users NT ID and Password as credentials. If one has booked a product or trade using Front Office user, then he or she cannot perform middle office operation on same trade/product. So for this, earlier we were doing RDC, then we have used a free tool (PSExec) for connecting two machines. Now the problem was if we were doing this then QTP was not recognizing object and most of the objects in QTP was taking in the form of WinObject.

Software Testing Certification

Certified Test Manager

About Certified Test Manager - The Certified Test Manager (CTM) certification has been created to fill gap that exists in the management skills required by test managers and test leads to effectively manage the test process, the test project and the test organization. CTM is based on the Test Management Body of Knowledge (TMBOK).

Who Should Pursue the Certification?

• Any person who has worked in software testing for at least 3 years
• People with a management or leadership role in testing
• Development managers and development leads who wish to move into a test management or lead position
• Auditors, Inspectors, and others who must evaluate the work product of the testing process

Process of Registration - Two requirements must be satisfied before the CTM certification can be granted. These are:

• Formal Education Requirement
• Job Experience Requirement

Upon satisfying these two requirements, a candidate shall submit an application to the IIST Chairperson for the certification to be granted. Application forms can be obtained by contacting the IIST office. The application must be accompanied by payment of the $120 non-refundable graduation fee. This fee covers the cost associated with record-keeping, grading exams, and certification plaque.

How to prepare - A CTM Candidate must complete at least one day of training in each of the seven areas of the CTM Body of Knowledge. In addition, a CTM candidate must complete 3 days of “elective” training covering any testing or quality topics as fit within the candidate's job responsibilities and interest. Candidates may select any of the courses offered by ENO that are marked as (CTM) offered at the International Test Managers Weeks or any of the one-day tutorials offered in conjunction with PSQT that are marked as (CTM). However, the course of study must cover all seven areas below. CTM candidates are required to complete a written exam for each course and pass with a level of performance no less than 80%. For courses conducted by IIST, a candidate is allowed to retake the exam for a second time without having to attend the course again. There will be a charge of $50 for any re-take exams administered. If 80% performance is not achieved on a second attempt, the candidate must retake the course or another course.

This is the list of Guides computer Scinece

177 Computer Sciecne

Dr. P.S. Hiremath,

Professor & Head,

Dept of Computer Science,

Gulbarga University,

Guibarga - 585106

Katnataka,Ph-08472 249682

Dr. P.S. Hiremath,

Professor & Head,

Dept of Computer Science,

Gulbarga University,

Guibarga - 585106

Katnataka

178 Computer Sciecne

Dr.A.Anthony Irudhayaraj

Dean,Dept of CSE

AVIT,Paiyanoor-603 104

Ph-04114 243801,

Mob-09841157416

Dr.A.Anthony Irudhayaraj

Dean,Dept of CSE

AVIT,Paiyanoor-603 104

Ph-04114 243801

179 Computer Sciecne

Dr.Jitendranath Mungara

Dean of Academics

Dept of CSE,AMC Engg College

18th

KM Bannerghatta Road

Bangalore-83

Ph-080 25261535

Mob-9880293343

Dr.Jitendranath Mungara

G-08 Benaka Towers

16th Main D 1st Cross

HAL 2nd Stage,Indiranagar

Bangalore

180 Computer Sciecne

Dr.Vinay Kumar Pathak

House No-106,Charai,

Chandra Nagar PO

Harjendra Nagar

Kanpur-208 007

Ph-0512 2401711

Mob-09415041168

Dr.Vinay Kumar Pathak

House No-106,Charai,

Chandra Nagar PO

Harjendra Nagar

Kanpur-208 007

Ph-0512 2401711

Mob-09415041168

181 Computer Sciecne

Dr.Shivanand M.Handigund

Prof & Head Dept of CSE

AMC Engg College

18th

KM Bannerghatta Road

Bangalore-560 083

Dr.Shivanand M.Handigund

1029,12th A Cross,35th Main,

JP Nagar(1 Phase)

Bangalore-560 078

Mob-9448588952,9945900805

182 Computer Sciecne

Dr.B.Ramadoss

A 3rd Floor

Ajay Apartments

17-B,

Municipal Office Road

Cantonment

Tiruchy-620 001

Mob-9443673017

Dr.B.Ramadoss

A 3rd Floor

Ajay Apartments

17-B,

Municipal Office Road

Cantonment

Tiruchy-620 001

Mob-9443673017

183 Computer Sciecne

Dr.K.S.Ravichandran

Professor,School of Computing

SASTRA Deemed University

Thanjavur-613 402

Ph-0431 264101 108

Dr.K.S.Ravichandran

77,Sanjeevi Nagar

Devadhanam

Trichy-620 002

Mob-9443183839

184 Computer Sciecne

Dr.A.Shanmugam

Principal,

Bannari Amman Institute of Tech

Sathyamangalam-638 401

Erode,Ph-914295 222313,221289

Dr.A.Shanmugam

Principal,

Bannari Amman Institute of Tech

Sathyamangalam-638 401

Erode,Ph-914295 222313,221289

185 Computer Sciecne

Dr.V.Vijaya Kumar

Professor,RG-ISIT,

Mahatma Gandhi,

National Institue of Research&Social

Action,Hyderabad-500029,

Ph-9849452287

Dr.V.Vijaya Kumar

Professor,RG-ISIT,

Mahatma Gandhi,

National Institue of Research&Social Action,Hyderabad-

500029,

Ph-9849452287

Ph.D. Guidelist

186 Computer Science

Dr.R.Anitha

Director,Dept of MCA

KS Rangasamy College of Technology

Thiruchengode - 637215.

Mob-09443430562

Dr.R.Anitha

350,

Chairman Ramalingam Street

,

Salem-636001

Ph-08025536280

Mob-09449694646

187 Computer Science

Dr.R.S.D.Wahidabanu

Prof&Head

Dept of ECE

Govt College of Engg,

Salem-636011

Mob-9443008886

Dr.R.S.D.Wahidabanu

4/184, Indirani Nagar,

Narasothipatti,Salem-4

Ph-04272333322

Mob-9443008886

188 Computer Science

Dr.V.Kannan

Professor&HOD in IT

BIHER(Deemed University)

Chennai-73

Mob-9283453495

Dr.V.Kannan

Professor&HOD in IT

BIHER(Deemed University)

Chennai-73

Mob-9283453495

189 Computer Science

Dr. E. Kirubakaran

Dy. General Manager,

C3-166F,B.H.E.L Township., Trichy-620 014.

Ph-0431 2574534,

Mob-98424 12817

Dr. E. Kirubakaran

Dy. General Manager,

33,

West St

,

Mavadipannai,

Thenthiruperai - 628 623

Thoothukudi-Dt.

190 Computer Science

Dr. Antony Selvadoss Thanamani

Reader in Computer Science,

NGM College ,

Pollachi-642 001.

Coimbatore.

Ph: 0422 2323000

Cell: 9994433490.

Dr. Antony Selvadoss Thanamani

"Finlin" 65, Parry Nagar,

sungam

Bye Pass Road

,

Coimbatore - 641 045.

Ph: 0422 2323000

Cell: 9994433490.

191 Computer Science

Dr. K. Viviekanandan

5, R.K.G. Nagar,

Kalveerampalayam,

Bharathiar University Post,

Coimbatore - 641 046.

Cell: 98432 49890

Dr. K. Viviekanandan

5, R.K.G. Nagar,

Kalveerampalayam,

Bharathiar University Post,

Coimbatore - 641 046.

Cell: 98432 49890

192 Computer Science

Dr.Mrs. N.Rama

Reader,

Dept.of Computer Science,

Presidency College,

Chennai - 600 005.

Dr.Mrs. N.Rama

HOD & Lecturer of (SS),

27, (Old No.10)

Veerasamy Ist St

,

Ayanavaram,

Chennai - 600 023.

193 Computer Science

Dr. R.Balasubramanian

Head,Dept of Computer Science

Government College of Arts& Science,

Surandai,Tirunelveli.

Ph : 0462 2530868

Dr. R.Balasubramanian

632-A,

South 14th St

,

Thyagaraja Nagar,

Tirunelveli-627 011.

Ph : 0462 2530868

194 Computer Science

Dr. B.Parthasarathy, EX.M.L.C

Dean & HOD of MCA.

Mailam Engineering College,

Tindivanam- TK.

Villupuram-Dt - 604 304.

Ph : 04146 226108

Cell: 94436 58135

Dr. B.Parthasarathy, EX.M.L.C

348F, Muta Gardens,

Pasumalai,

Madural - 625004

195 Computer Science

Dr. K.Ramar.

Professor & HOD of CSE

National Eigneeering College,

K.R. Nagar,

Kovilpatti - 628 503.

Cell: 94439 80877

Dr. K.Ramar.

Professor & HOD of CSE

64/2(old), 289(new) VOC Nagar,

2nd St

.

Kovilpatti - 628 502.

Ph: 222502, 224224

Cell: 94439 80877.

196 Computer Science

Dr.R.S Rajesh

Dept of Computer Science &

Engg, Manonmaniyan Sundaranar University,

Tirunelveli-627012.

Dr.R.S.Rajesh

No.21,

Puthupet South Street

,

Palayamkottai-627002,

Tirunelveli-627002

Ph-91462576337

Mob-9443869904

18 of 67

Ph.D. Guidelist

197 Computer Science

Dr.Allam Appa Rao

Prof ,Dept of Computer Science,

Andhra University,College of Engg,

Visakhapatnam-530 003,A.P

Ph-08912844858.

Ph-09848185922.

Dr.Allam Appa Rao

4-51-19/1/2,

Lawson's Bay Colony

Visakapatnam-530003, A.P.

Ph-08912552956

198 Computer Science

Dr.Ramesh Babu

Prof

PESIT,VTU University,

Dr.Ramesh Babu

Prof

PESIT,VTU University,

199 Computer Science

Dr.C.Pethuru Raj

Dept of Information Tech

Alliance Business Academy

BTM Layout,1st Stage

Bangalore-560068

Mob-9886238441

Dr.C.Pethuru Raj

Plot No-38,

Park Road

Christopher Nagar

Parvathipuram,Nagercoil-629 003

200 Computer Science

Dr.G.Mahadevan

Principal

ARJ College of Engg &

technology,Edayarnatham,

Mannargudi-614001

ph-04362241428

Dr.G.Mahadevan

plot no.9,Dhanalakshmi Nagar,

manojipatty,Medical College (po)

Thanjavur-613004.

Ph-04362241428

Mob-9443073904

201 Computer Science

Dr.Siva Prakasam

Lecturer in Computer Science

Sri Vasavi College ,

Erode-638316. Mob-9442226685

Dr.P.Siva Prakasam

128-Patel Street

,

Erode-638001.

Ph-04242266856

Mob-944222266856.

202 Computer Science

Dr.N.Ganesan

Regional Institute of Co-Op Management,

67,Padmanaba Nagar,

Banashankari 2nd Stage,

Bangalore-560070

Ph-0802669236

08026692537.

Dr.N.Ganesan

F-7,Nanda Comforts,

15th Main ,18th Cross,

Padmanaba Nagar,

Subramaniya pura (po),Bangalore-61

Ph-0802669236

08026692537.

203 Computer Science

Dr.Raees Ahmad Khan

Dept of CSC,Faculty of Natural Science,Jamia

Millia Islamia University,New Delhi-110 025

Ph-011 91 26980014,9350000270

Dr.Raees Ahmad Khan

Dept of CSC,Faculty of Natural Science,Jamia Millia

Islamia University,New Delhi-110 025

Ph-011 91 26980014,9350000270

204 Computer Science

Dr. Ajazhussain Mir,

Asst.Professor,

Elect. & Comm. Engineering Dept.,

National Institute of Technology,

Sri Nagar - 1900006.

Hyderabad.

Ph : 0194 2465752

Dr. Ajazhussain Mir,

Asst.Professor,

Elect. & Comm. Engineering Dept.,

National Institute of Technology,

Sri Nagar - 1900006.

Hyderabad.

Ph : 0194 2465752

205 Computer Science

Dr. D. Gunaseelan,

Reader in Computer Application,

Gandhigram Rural University

(Deemed University),

Dindigul-626302

Gandhigram,Mob : 94438 68969

Dr. D. Gunaseelan,

15,

Church Street

,

Pudur - 628905

Tuticorin. Dt.

Mob : 94438 68969

Res: 9104638252447

206 Computer Science

Dr.N.Rajendra Prasad

Prof in 1996 to 1998.

TKM College of Engg, Kerala.

Ph-04742746868.

Mob-9447502868.

Dr.N.Rajendra Prasad

Prasanth Computers,

85, Residency Nagar,

Residency Road, Quilon-I,

Kerala-691001.

Ph-04742746868, 2767554, 553.

Mob-9447502868.

207 Computer Science

Dr.R.K.Srivastava

Reader& Head of Computer Sci

Bareilly College.

Ph-2525345, 2477264.

Dr.R.K.Srivastava

C-45, Phase-III, S.S.Nagar,

Bareilly-243001.

Ph-2525345, 2477264.

19 of 67

Ph.D. Guidelist

208 Computer Science

Dr.Shashi Dhana.H.L.

Proffessor

PES Institute of Technology.

Bangalore-85

Mob-9845056918.

Dr.Shashi Dhana.H.L.

46/47, "A" Krishna Apartments,

18 th Cross, Malleswaram,

Bangalore-560055.

Mob-9845056918.

209 Computer Science

Dr. S. Albert rabara,

Reader in Computer Science,

St. Joseph's College ,

Trichy - 620002

Dr. S. Albert Rabara,

91, St, Mary's Thope,

Kileder Street

,

Trichy - 620002

210 Computer Science

Dr. B. Sathyanarayana,

Associate Professor,

Dept. of Computer Science & Tech.,

Sri Krishnadevaraya University,

Anantapur - 515003.

Ph: 08554 255318

Cell: 9849304906

Dr. B. Sathyanarayana,

Associate Professor,

Dept. of Computer Science & Tech.,

Sri Krishnadevaraya University,

Anantapur - 515003.

Ph: 08554 255318

Cell: 9849304906

211 Computer Science

Dr.M.V.Srinath

Block 2k,SF10,Vasanth Apartments,Velacherry,

Vijayanagaram,Chennai-43

Ph-04422590784

Dr.M.V.Srinath

Block 2k,SF10,Vasanth Apartments,Velacherry,

Vijayanagaram,Chennai-43

Ph-04422590784

212 Computer Science

Dr.N.Jayaprakash

Head of the Dept ,

Dept of CA,Valliammai Engg College

Kattankulathur-603 203

Mob-9444241124

Dr.N.Jayaprakash

No.-25/12,

Thiruppur Kumaran Street

,

New Perungalathur,

Chennai-600063,Mob-9444241124

213 Computer Science

Dr.T.Santhanam

Reader and Head

D.G.Vaaishnav College

Chennai-600 106,

Ph-9444169090

Dr.T.Santhanam

Reader and Head

D.G.Vaaishnav College

Chennai-600 106,

Ph-9444169090

214 Computer Science

Dr.Syed Abdul Sattar

H.No. 11-3-619,

Third floor, Flat No. 301,

Shafi Villa, New Mallepally,

Hyderabad-500001, A.P,

Cell: 9949697594.

215 Computer Science &

Mathematics

Dr.R.Vasantha Kumari

Principal,

Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Arts College,

Kalitheerthalkuppam,

Pondicherry-605107

Mob-9443560868.

Dr.R.Vasantha Kumari

Plot No.19, I st Cross,

Guru Sithanantha Samy Street

,

Navarkulam, Laws Pet,

Pondicherry-605008.

Mob-9443560868.

216 Computer Science &

Mathematics

Dr. C.V.Srikrisna, Professor&Head,MCA Dept,

PES Institute of Tech,100’Road, BSK 3rd

Stage,Bangalore-560 085

Ph-09448107190

Dr. C.V.Srikrisna, Professor&Head,MCA Dept, PES

Institute of Tech,100’Road, BSK 3rd Stage,Bangalore-

560 085

Ph-09448107190

PhD Program in Computer Science FAQ

Here are a list of commonly asked questions. I hope this helps all of yall on the hunt for higher education and enlightenment. :D

There is a ton of information at The Stanford CS Admissions Page, so please look there before emailing me. (If you want to get a PhD, you will have to be good at research, so you might as well start practicing now! :D)

1. What academic background is required?

A bachelor's degree in CS. More detailed information is at The Stanford CS Admissions Page.

2. What can I do to boost my application?

Having publications in internationally recognized journals and conferences is a bonus. Have done research previously is nice as well. You will also need strong recommendations.

3. What do I say in my statement of purpose?

Write about topics of research that fascinate you, that intrigue you. Your enthusiasm will come through to the admissions committee.

4. Any other ideas?

I highly recommend applying for fellowships like the NSF Graduate Research Fellowships. Obviously a student who is "free" is more attractive than one who requires funding.

5. You have an Indian surname so I thought I would ask you about whether my qualifications are good enough...

My parents are from India, but I was brought up in the U.S. So unfortunately, I cannot give you any useful advice about whether your program of study in India is adequate.

6. I'm an international student. I took test "ABC" and got a score of x. Is that enough to get into Stanford?

I am not familiar with any international exams. As a rule of thumb, you will need to score in at least the top 90% of any test to be considered for admission. I don't know what the current requirements are (See The Stanford CS Admissions Page), but you need to do well on the General GRE, Computer Science GRE, and TOEFL.

7. What about funding?

If you are a Master's student, you can try to get a TAship, or get an RAship from a willing professor. Note that for Master's candidates either of these are often hard to get, so try to find a professor whose research meshes well with your qualifications. You can find a directory of professors and their interests over at the research page.

On the other hand, the department funds the Ph.D. candidates for the first quarter, after which he is expected to find an advisor, who usually funds them for the rest of their stay at Stanford.

8. What's the difference between the MS and PhD programs?

The Master of Science program is separate from the PhD program. While PhD students generally are funded and do not have to worry about tuition, Masters generally do have to pay tuition.

Admission to the MS program does not guarantee eventual admission to the PhD program, although in special cases it can provide a nice stepping stone. For example, if you do great research for a Stanford CS professor as a MS student, then you will increase your chances of getting into the PhD program later on. But this is still no guarantee.

9. My GRE/CS GRE/ score is X. Is that good enough?

You need to be in at least the top 10% percentile of test scorers.

10. I want to do research in field X (X != AI). Whom should I contact?

The research page contains a good, up to date summary on our faculty, and their proficiencies.

11. What are some good places to study Logical AI?

Other than Stanford and CSLI, I recommend these institutions:

• University of Toronto
• University of Texas at Austin
• New Mexico State University
• Arizona State University
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

What are the options after PhD

Clearly, one of the main job opportunities after PhD is a faculty position in some University, College, or an Institute. This option, world over, is one of the most preferred options for people with PhD. One of the reasons for this is that in today's world, the best quality people require freedom in their work and have a strong desire to ``make a mark''. Both of these are well supported by research activities a faculty undertakes as part of his job - he has the freedom to select the problems he works on, and through his research he creates new knowledge which is published under his authorship. This is a very strong motivating factor and very good people across the world sacrifice other benefits for academic freedom and possibilities to create and innovate.

In faculty positions it should be mentioned that for Computer Science, as there is a shortage of qualified faculty in most good institutions, there are always openings in places like IITs/NITs/RECs/Central Universities, etc. In addition, now some private universities as well as institutions set up by overseas universities coming up which also are looking for qualified faculty (and these places are paying much more than Govt. scales - up to 3 times more!)

However, teaching is by no means the only option for a PhD. India today is fast becoming a center for global R&D. Due to the quality of its manpower, and the lower cost, many organizations have started setting up R&D centers in India. And these centers are looking for PhDs (and not finding them, as there are not enough getting produced!) Some example of these are IBM India Research Center in New Delhi, GE Research in Bangalore, Mentor Graphics in Hyderabad, Cadence, etc.

Besides these research centers, most of the big Indian IT companies have started high end technology development and consulting, and R&D centers or cells, in which they need PhDs. Almost all the IT majors - TCS, Infosys, Wipro, etc. employ a large number of PhDs (upward of about 50 each) and are always looking for more people to enhance their R&D activities. This activity will increase in these companies as these companies become larger. A few years back, we had done an informal survey on salaries with these companies and we were told that most of them will offer at least twice as much starting salary for a PhD as for a BE. Starting salaries for many of these positions are of the order of Rs 50,000 PM or more.

Besides these opportunities in India, people with PhDs are global citizens and move around quite a bit. Immediately after PhD, there are opportunities for post-doctoral work in US and Europe. While working as a researcher/faculty, there are opportunities for visiting faculty appointments or visiting researchers in US, Europe, Singapore, etc., where a faculty member from India can spend a year or two in overseas universities or research labs. Many faculty members from India avail of this from time to time.

What is Involved in a PhD

First let us clearly understand what is involved in doing a PhD. PhD is, as everyone knows, about doing research. And research is about formulating problems or questions whose answers the research or practitioner community wants to know, and whose answers are not known. Doing research is to provide some answer to these questions. So, the key aspects of doing a PhD are (a) formulating a question or a problem that is of interest and that can be solved, and (b) providing a useful/interesting solution to the stated problem. The results obtained are presented in national/international conferences, and/or submitted to scientific journals.

The problems that are addressed by a PhD scholar can range from very difficult open problems to evolutionary technology issues. In Computer Science, the problem area can range from highly theoretical/mathematical to modeling and experimentation or building new technologies. For example, there are a lot of open problems regarding the complexity of solving some problems algorithmically (for example, checking whether a number is a prime - a problem for which an efficient solution was proposed only recently by Prof. Agarwal of CSE/IITK). These problems typically involve complex theoretical and mathematical development. Similarly, there are many problems that require understanding the behavior of various systems. Approaching such problems frequently uses modeling and experimentation. Then there are problems of the type where something innovative and useful is done using computers and software. Working on such problems typically involves building systems and prototypes. In other words, a scholar doing a PhD in Computer Science has a wide range of areas to choose from, depending on his inclination, ability, and interests.

Generally, PhD programs world over proceed as follows: do some course work, pass some qualifying exam, and then write a thesis that has to be defended (sometimes, at the early stages of the thesis a `proposal' may have to be submitted.) In a place like CSE/IIT Kanpur, generally, a student who joins the PhD program after completing his/her B.Tech/BE will spend about 1 year doing the courses, about 1 to 2 years for formulating the problem, which also requires an in-depth study of the chosen area, and about 2 years or more for developing the solutions and writing the thesis. Once the thesis is written, it is examined by some experts and a thesis defense is scheduled. This process takes about 6 months, but the candidate can start his post PhD job once the thesis is submitted. Hence, doing a PhD takes about as much time as doing a BE, or the amount of time a doctor spends doing his residency and MD.

Doing a PhD is indeed hard. However, the difficulty is not because extreme intelligence is necessary. Brilliance, of course, helps - brilliant people can attack hard problems and produce solid results and leave a permanent mark on the field. However, students with good academic background and some amount of creativity can also do a PhD, and do quite well. Completing a PhD primarily requires a drive, motivation, and hard work. Hard and motivated work determines not only the quality of the final work, but also the amount of time needed to complete the PhD. In general, a PhD can be completed in 4 to 5 years - 4 years for the motivated and 5 for the not-so-motivated.