A Test Sequence Selection Method for Parallel Software Systems

Abstract

Modeling and testing for a parallel software system is very difficult, because parallel behaviors leads to system state explosion. Many testing methods are testing with a large number of redundancies. In this paper, a test sequence selection method for parallel software systems is shown. The method is based on linear behavior sequences which is preparing for testing, called LBSPT. Firstly, a formal model for software system specification is constructed based on Coloured Petri Net (CPN), called system model, and LBSPT is also modeled based on CPN, called LBSPT model. A test sequence selection method is defined on these models. The method could select all of test sequences related to LBSPT, and does not contain any redundancy. The state explode problem in software testing is solved to a certain extent. Practices show that the effect of this method is better than other methods such as random walk.

Coloured Petri nets for abstract test generation in software engineering

“…Four studies focused on parallel systems using the state‐space approach [38‐41]. Three also focused on addressing the problem of generating redundant abstract tests [38,39,41].…”

“…Four studies focused on parallel systems using the state‐space approach [38‐41]. Three also focused on addressing the problem of generating redundant abstract tests [38,39,41]. Two proposals also applied pruning techniques to prevent the state‐space explosion problem [38,39].…”

“…At the same time, one addressed this problem by reducing the size of the original CPN model, ensuring desired behaviours [40]. However, two proposals only apply to sequences of linear behaviour; if not linear, a conversion is needed [38,40]. Besides, for at least one proposal [41], due to the application scenario used in the experiment, it is not possible to conclude how the approach behaves in models with larger state‐space.…”

“…Three also focused on addressing the problem of generating redundant abstract tests [38,39,41]. Two proposals also applied pruning techniques to prevent the state‐space explosion problem [38,39]. At the same time, one addressed this problem by reducing the size of the original CPN model, ensuring desired behaviours [40].…”

“…They did not present a discussion about the pros and cons. Some studies (e.g., Sun et al [38], Sun et al [39], and Kalamegam and Godandapani [44]) focused on approaches to decrease the generation of useless or redundant tests, assisting in improving the quality of test suits.…”