Towards the validation of distributed systems based on data flow analysis.

This thesis proposes a new approach for the detection of data flow anomalies and generation of selective test sequences for distributed systems specified in LOTOS. It includes a Data Petri-Net (DPN) model for system specification. The model is an ordinary Petri-net extended with the capabilities of...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Huang, Xing.
Other Authors: Cheung, T.-Y.
Format: Others
Published: University of Ottawa (Canada) 2009
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10393/7760
http://dx.doi.org/10.20381/ruor-6954
Description
Summary:This thesis proposes a new approach for the detection of data flow anomalies and generation of selective test sequences for distributed systems specified in LOTOS. It includes a Data Petri-Net (DPN) model for system specification. The model is an ordinary Petri-net extended with the capabilities of handling abstract data types, unusual actions and data synchronization. Based on the DPN, parameter (variable/constant) occurrences are classified as definition, undefinition and use. A method called DETANOM is then developed for detecting data flow anomalies, such as undef-use, def-def and def-undef anomalies. To facilitate the selection of test sequences, three families of data-flow-oriented coverage criteria are proposed, which include all-defs covers, all-uses covers and all-du-paths covers. Test sequences selected according to these criteria aim at checking whether an implementation under test possesses the desired associations among the values of the input and output parameters. A method called GENTEST is also developed for generating selective test sequences according to these criteria. Finally, these DPN-based methods are applied to the validation of LOTOS specifications. Details of an application to the Alternating Bit Protocol are included.