Construction Method of a High-Order Markov Chain Usage Model

Abstract

Statistical testing is a method for evaluating software reliability. Test cases are generated according to a usage model that represents the behavior of users. Accuracy of a usage model is an important factor since effectiveness of statistical testing (i.e., accuracy of software reliability) depends on it. This paper shows the usage model construction method using high-order Markov chains in order to construct accurate usage models. It is illustrated that the usage models constructed by this method are more accurate than traditional ones based on a simple or time-homogeneous Markov chain and can be constructed automatically. Some problems for more effective statistical testing are then found.