Applying Statistical Usage Testing Along with White Box Testing Techniques

Abstract

Cleanroom software engineering (CSE) reference model is a rigorous incremental model that focuses on defect prevention using sound mathematical principles combined with statistical usage testing (Linger, Trammell, in cleanroom software engineering reference model, 1996, [1]). Similar to the concept of hardware cleanrooms, this model is also used for the development of zero defect and extremely reliable software (Mills, Poore, in Quality Progress, 1988, [2]). Statistical usage testing (SUT) is a technique defined for testing as a part of CSE model [1]. The technique works by performing usage modelling and assigning usage probabilities (Runeson, Wohlin in IEEE Trans Softw Eng 20(6): 494–499, 1994, [3]). Next statistical tests are carried out on the usage models [3]. CSE relies on SUT for testing, and unit testing is not defined in the CSE process (Hausler et al. in IBM Syst J 33(1): 89, 109, 1994, [4]). However, additional testing can be carried out along with SUT depending on the need (Prowell et al. in cleanroom software engineering technology and process, 1999, [5]). The paper presents the usefulness and advantages of applying SUT along with various white box testing techniques. The white box testing techniques used in the paper are data flow testing, control flow testing and mutation testing.