Error Propagation and Elimination in Computer Programs.
Larry J. Morell, Richard G. Hamlet · 1981
The current literature in program testing is surveyed. A strategy is proposed for eliminating categories of errors from programs. Errors may be classified as functional (an incorrect input-output pair) or structural (an incorrect statement). An error is eliminated if a successful program execution for a given input implies the program could not contain the error. A 'creation condition' guarantees that a structural error affects the program's computation. A 'propagation condition' guarantees that the effect produces a functional error. An error is eliminated whenever a computation satisfies both the creation and the propagation condition and produces correct output. (Author)