Test case generation from formal models through abstraction refinement and model checking

Abstract

In this paper, we adapt the abstraction refinement techniques of Clarke et al.[7] and Gulavani et al. [15] for systematic generation of model based test cases. Formal models are in general infinite state machines. We approximate such a formal model by a more abstract finite state machine. From the finite model, we obtain probable test cases through model checking, and then a guided symbolic execution is performed over the given formal model to check if this is a real test case. In case of failure, the finite abstract model is refined and the cycle is repeated. The two main results of this paper are: (a) better specification coverage is achieved, and (b) we obtain a more accurate coverage estimate. We explain our method by considering models in the specification language B.

Notice of Retraction: Developing an abstract model of data structures via model refinement

“…Tan et al in [7] present a method of refining a design model by adding constraints incrementally to improve the precision of the model for verification purposes. Authors in [8,9,10] adopt different refinement techniques to develop abstraction models in order to find whether certain specifications are met. Proposals as such are similar to ours in that additional considerations are taken into account at each refinement step to further elaborate a model for specific objectives, but differences exist in several important areas, including the goals of the modeling process, the characteristics of the model involved, and the nature of the additional considerations.…”

Review of Software Model-Checking Techniques for Dealing with Error Detection in Program Codes

“…4) Model-based testing with adaptive input generation: This involves generating inputs based on a model of the software, while also adapting the input generation process to capture non-deterministic behavior. By adapting the input generation process, we can explore a larger space of possible behaviors and capture non-deterministic behavior that is difficult to model statically [70].…”