Abstract
Traditionally, software testing is aimed at showing the presence of faults. This paper proposes a novel approach to testing graphical user interfaces (GUI) for showing both the presence and absence of faults in the sense of ideal testing. The approach uses a positive testing concept to show that the GUI under consideration (GUC) does what the user expects; to the contrary, the negative testing concept shows that the GUC does not do anything that the user does not expect, building a holistic view. The first step of the approach models the GUC by a finite state machine (FSM) that enables the model-based generation of test cases. This is always possible as the GUIs are considered as strictly sequential processes. The next step converts the FSM to an equivalent regular expression (RE) that will be analyzed first to construct test selection criteria for excluding redundant test cases and construct test coverage criteria for terminating the positive test process. Both criteria enable us to assess the adequacy and efficiency of the positive tests performed. The negative tests will be realized by systematically mutating the FSM to model faults, the absence of which are to be shown. Those mutant FSMs will be handled and assessed in the same way as in positive testing. Two case studies illustrate and validate the approach; the experiments' results will be analyzed to discuss the pros and cons of the techniques introduced.
Highlights
The main goal of program testing is to show the presence of faults, not to show their absence, which Dijkstra [1] expressed in 1970
WORK In the current work, the Model-based Ideal Testing (MBIT) approach is introduced for the graphical user interfaces (GUI) programs to test the presence and absence of functional faults
In the test preparation step, we use a GUI program model described by an Finite State Machine (FSM) that is converted to a regular expression (RE)
Summary
The main goal of program testing is to show the presence of faults, not to show their absence, which Dijkstra [1] expressed in 1970. Goodenough and Gerhart [2] in 1975 proposed a theorem that claims adequately designed tests could show the presence and the absence of faults. Based on their theorem, this test with the ability to show the absence of faults requires being both reliable and valid. Ideal testing refers to a methodology that satisfies reliability and validity requirements for testing both the presence and absence of faults
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.