Title
Assessing, Comparing, and Combining State Machine-Based Testing and Structural Testing: A Series of Experiments
Abstract
A large number of research works have addressed the importance of models in software engineering. However, the adoption of model-based techniques in software organizations is limited since these models are perceived to be expensive and not necessarily cost-effective. Focusing on model-based testing, this paper reports on a series of controlled experiments. It investigates the impact of state machine testing on fault detection in class clusters and its cost when compared with structural testing. Based on previous work showing this is a good compromise in terms of cost and effectiveness, this paper focuses on a specific state-based technique: the round-trip paths coverage criterion. Round-trip paths testing is compared to structural testing, and it is investigated whether they are complementary. Results show that even when a state machine models the behavior of the cluster under test as accurately as possible, no significant difference between the fault detection effectiveness of the two test strategies is observed, while the two test strategies are significantly more effective when combined by augmenting state machine testing with structural testing. A qualitative analysis also investigates the reasons why test techniques do not detect certain faults and how the cost of state machine testing can be brought down.
Year
DOI
Venue
2011
10.1109/TSE.2010.32
IEEE Trans. Software Eng.
Keywords
Field
DocType
common systematic testing practice,combining state machine-based testing,state machine model,model-based testing,uml state machine,structural testing,state machine,code-based structural testing,state machine testing,fault detection,round-trip paths testing,test technique,controlled experiment,source code,augmenting state machine testing,certain fault,state machine-based testing,test strategy,finite state machines,software testing,system testing,cost effectiveness,unified modeling language,qualitative analysis,model based testing,software design,software engineering,state machines
Test Management Approach,Risk-based testing,System testing,Computer science,Real-time computing,Software performance testing,Non-regression testing,White-box testing,Software reliability testing,Test strategy,Reliability engineering
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
37
2
0098-5589
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
40
1.05
61
Authors
4
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Samar Mouchawrab1812.78
Lionel C. Briand28795481.98
Yvan Labiche32874143.30
Massimiliano Di Penta45703265.47