Transforming Software Requirements into Test Cases via Model Transformation

Abstract

Executable test cases originate at the onset of testing as abstract requirements that represent system behavior. Their manual development is time-consuming, susceptible to errors, and expensive. Translating system requirements into behavioral models and then transforming them into a scripting language has the potential to automate their conversion into executable tests. Ideally, an effective testing process should start as early as possible, refine the use cases with ample details, and facilitate the creation of test cases.We propose a methodology that enables automation in converting functional requirements into executable test cases via model transformation. The proposed testing process starts with capturing system behavior in the form of visual use cases, using a domain-specific language, defining transformation rules, and ultimately transforming the use cases into executable tests.