# Kingsum Chow

> Ph.D. University of Washington 1996

**Wikidata**: [Q102251115](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102251115)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kingsum-chow

## Summary
Kingsum Chow is a computer scientist who specializes in software engineering and system evolution. He is best known for his academic research at the University of Washington regarding the management of library interface changes within open system software.

## Biography
- Education: Ph.D. in Computer Science and Computer Engineering, University of Washington (1996)
- Known for: Research on software evolution and library interface support
- Employer(s): Industrial sector; Service sector
- Field(s): Computer Science, Software Engineering

## Contributions
Kingsum Chow’s primary contribution to the field of computer science is his research into the lifecycle and maintenance of complex software systems. In 1996, he authored the doctoral thesis "Supporting Library Interface Changes in Open System Software Evolution" at the University of Washington. This work addressed a critical challenge in software engineering: how to update and evolve software libraries without compromising the stability of the systems that depend on them. 

Working under the supervision of David Notkin, Chow explored the technical mechanisms required to support interface changes, which is essential for the long-term sustainability of open systems. His research provides a framework for understanding how software components interact and how those interactions can be preserved or transitioned during periods of system growth. His academic lineage is documented in the Mathematics Genealogy Project (ID 71900), and his professional profile spans both the industrial and service sectors, where the practical application of software evolution principles is vital for maintaining large-scale digital infrastructure.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Kingsum Chow's educational background?
A: Kingsum Chow earned a Ph.D. from the University of Washington in 1996. His doctoral studies were focused on the fields of computer science and computer engineering.

### Q: What was the focus of Kingsum Chow's doctoral research?
A: His research focused on software evolution, specifically titled "Supporting Library Interface Changes in Open System Software Evolution." He investigated how to manage and support changes in software libraries to ensure system longevity.

### Q: Who was Kingsum Chow's doctoral advisor?
A: His doctoral advisor was David Notkin, a prominent American professor and software engineer known for his work in software evolution and tools.

## Why They Matter
Kingsum Chow’s work is significant because it addresses the "evolution problem" in software engineering. As software systems grow in complexity, they become increasingly reliant on external libraries; when these libraries change, the dependent systems often break. Chow’s research into supporting library interface changes provided early academic insights into maintaining compatibility in open systems. This is a foundational concern for the industrial and service sectors, where the cost of software maintenance often exceeds the cost of initial development. By studying how to facilitate these transitions, Chow contributed to the broader understanding of software resilience. His inclusion in specialized academic tracking projects, such as the WikiProject PCC Wikidata Pilot for the University of Washington, underscores his recognized role as a notable contributor to the university's computer science legacy.

## Notable For
- Author of the influential thesis "Supporting Library Interface Changes in Open System Software Evolution" (1996).
- Doctoral graduate of the University of Washington’s Computer Science and Computer Engineering program.
- Academic mentee of the distinguished software researcher David Notkin.
- Listed in the Mathematics Genealogy Project under researcher ID 71900.

## Body
### Academic Career and Education
Kingsum Chow pursued his advanced education at the University of Washington, where he focused on the intersection of computer science and computer engineering. He completed his doctorate in 1996. His academic path was guided by David Notkin, a significant figure in American software engineering research. Chow's academic records are preserved in the Mathematics Genealogy Project, which tracks the intellectual lineage of scholars in mathematical and computational fields.

### Research on Software Evolution
The core of Chow's research involves "Software Evolution," a subfield of computer science that studies how software changes over time and how to manage that change efficiently. 
- **Thesis Title:** Supporting Library Interface Changes in Open System Software Evolution.
- **Key Theme:** The work examines the difficulties of updating software libraries in open systems and proposes methods to support these changes without causing system failure.
- **Impact:** This research is particularly relevant to the industrial sector, where software must be maintained over decades.

### Professional Affiliations and Recognition
Chow is categorized within the industrial and service sectors of the computer science profession. His contributions are recognized in several data repositories:
- **Wikidata:** Identified as a human computer scientist with a focus on software evolution.
- **WikiProject PCC:** Included in the Wikidata Pilot for the University of Washington, a project aimed at highlighting notable academic figures associated with the institution. 
- **Mathematics Genealogy Project:** Assigned ID 71900 to track his doctoral success and advisor relationship.

## References

1. Mathematics Genealogy Project
2. WorldCat