Fixing Defects in Integrity Constraints via Constraint Mutation
Robert Clarisó, Jordi Cabot · 2018
Defining appropriate integrity constraints (ICs) for the domain model of a software system is a complex and error-prone task. Both over-constraining and under-constraining the information base are undesirable. In this paper, we consider a systematic approach to explore the most suitable ICs for a software system. The inputs of this approach are an initial tentative set of ICs described in OCL (Object Constraint Language) plus a sample information base which is incorrectly forbidden (allowed) by them. Then, this method generates candidate weaker (stronger) versions of the ICs by mutating them in an structured way. Modelers can then replace the original defective set with the alternative versions to improve the quality of the domain model.