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Towards a theory for integration of mathematical verification and empirical testing (1998)
| Venue: | In Proceedings, ASE’98: Automated Software Engineering |
| Citations: | 20 - 0 self |
BibTeX
@INPROCEEDINGS{Lowry98towardsa,
author = {Michael Lowry and Mark Boyd and Deepak Kulkarni},
title = {Towards a theory for integration of mathematical verification and empirical testing},
booktitle = {In Proceedings, ASE’98: Automated Software Engineering},
year = {1998},
pages = {322--331}
}
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Abstract
From the viewpoint of a project manager responsible for the V&V of a software system, mathematical verijcation techniques provide a potentially valuable addition to otherwise standard empirical testing. However, the value they add, both in terms of coverage and in fault detection, has been difficult to quantify. Potential cost savings from replacing testing with mathematical techniques cannot be realized until the tradeoffs can be quanttjied. This paper first describes a,framework for a theory of software fault detection that is based on software reliability and formalized fault models. The novelty of this approach is that it takes into account the relative utility of the various tools,for fault detection. Second, the paper then describes a utility model for integrating mathematical and empirical techniques with respect to fault detection and coverage analvsis for software. Third, the paper discusses how to determine the optimal combination of black-box testing, white-box (structural) testing, and formal methods in V&V of a software system. Finally, a demonstration of how this utility model can be used in practice is offered using a case study.from a NASA software systems.
Keyphrases
empirical testing mathematical verification fault detection utility model software system formal method project manager relative utility fault model standard empirical testing software reliability optimal combination case study black-box testing various tool mathematical verijcation technique empirical technique valuable addition nasa software system mathematical technique coverage analvsis software fault detection potential cost saving
