Use of sequencing constraints for specifying, testing, and debugging concurrent programs

Abstract

This paper introduces the use of sequencing constraints for specifying, testing, and debugging concurrent programs. An execution of a concurrent program P nondeterministically exercises a sequence of synchronization events, called a synchronization sequence (or SYN-sequence). Sequencing constraints (or constraints) specify restrictions on the allowed SYN-sequences of P. Constraints for P are derived from a formal or informal specification of P and do not have to be complete. The SYN-sequences collected during nondeterministic testing of P can be used to measure coverage and detect violations of P's constraints. Also, SYN-sequences can be generated according to P's constraints and used for deterministic testing of P. This paper shows in detail how to accomplish coverage and detect violations of constraints written in CSPE (Constraints on Succeeding and Preceding Events) by nondeterministic and deterministic testing.