Regression testing experiments
Software maintenance is an expensive part of the software lifecycle: estimates put its cost at up to two-thirds of the entire cost of software. Regression testing, which tests software after it has been modified to help assess and increase its reliability, is responsible for a large part of this cos...
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| Language: | en_US |
| Published: |
2012
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1957/33192 |
| Summary: | Software maintenance is an expensive part of the software lifecycle: estimates
put its cost at up to two-thirds of the entire cost of software. Regression testing,
which tests software after it has been modified to help assess and increase its
reliability, is responsible for a large part of this cost. Thus, making regression
testing more efficient and effective is worthwhile.
This thesis performs two experiments with regression testing techniques.
The first experiment involves two regression test selection techniques, Dejavu
and Pythia. These techniques select a subset of tests from the original test
suite to be rerun instead of the entire original test suite in an attempt to save
valuable testing time. The experiment investigates the cost and benefit tradeoffs
between these techniques. The data indicate that Dejavu can occasionally select
smaller test suites than Pythia while Pythia often is more efficient at figuring
out which test cases to select than Dejavu.
The second experiment involves the investigation of program spectra as a
tool to enhance regression testing. Program spectra characterize a program's
behavior. The experiment investigates the applicability of program spectra to
the detection of faults in modified software. The data indicate that certain types
of spectra identify faults on a consistent basis. The data also reveal cost-benefit
tradeoffs among spectra types. === Graduation date: 2000 |
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