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Automatic string test data generation for detecting domain errors
Author(s) -
Zhao Ruilian,
Lyu Michael R.,
Min Yinghua
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
software testing, verification and reliability
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.216
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1099-1689
pISSN - 0960-0833
DOI - 10.1002/stvr.414
Subject(s) - predicate (mathematical logic) , computer science , string (physics) , generator (circuit theory) , test data , domain (mathematical analysis) , algorithm , theoretical computer science , programming language , mathematics , mathematical analysis , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics , mathematical physics
Domain testing is designed to detect domain errors that result from a small boundary shift in a path domain. Although many researchers have studied domain testing, automatic domain test data generation for string predicates has seldom been explored. This paper presents a novel approach for the automatic generation of ON–OFF test points for string predicate borders, and describes a corresponding test data generator. Our empirical work is conducted on a set of programs with string predicates, where extensive trials have been done for each string predicate, and the results are analysed using the SPSS tool. Conclusions are drawn that: (i) the approach is promising and effective; (ii) there is a strong linear relationship between the performance of the test generator and the length of target string in the predicate tested; and (iii) initial inputs, no shorter than the target string and with characters generated randomly, may enhance the performance in the test data generation for string predicates. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.