Conducting usage-based testing on object-z formal specification based systems
Chun-Yu Chen, Kai H. Chang, Richard Chapman · 1999
Usage-based testing is a technique for effective generation of test cases based on the usage of a software system. More frequently executed scenarios give rise to greater numbers of test cases than do rarely executed scenarios. Thus, the distribution of test cases among the scenarios mirrors the actual usage that the system is expected to receive. This dissertation uses the Object-Z formal specification as a basis for usage-based testing for programs that use Object-Oriented Technology (OOT). OOT is widely considered the best methodology for program that are large. It has gained wide acceptance in the software engineering community, however better test methods are still needed. This dissertation introduces a testing framework that generates usage-based test scenarios, test cases, and regression test suites based on an Object-Z formal specification. The framework can be used on both integration and system level testing and covers not only development stage but also maintenance stage testing.