Multi-objective software test case selection based on density analysis

Abstract

Software test case selection is committed to select the fewest test cases from test suites to perform a complete test at the least cost. Machine learning and multi-objective optimization techniques have developed rapidly in recent years, and they have been successfully applied to test case selection. In this paper, we present a method called DB-NSGA2, which uses the density clustering algorithm in machine learning combined with the non-dominated ranking algorithm (NSGA2) for test case selection, which can better select the test cases required for testing. In particular, we apply some of the clustering results generated by the clustering algorithm to the crossover and mutation operations of the NSGA2 to improve diversity progeny populations and ensure the transmission of good individuals. Extensive experiments show that the test cases selected by our method can produce a better set of Pareto solutions and can detect more faults at a lower cost than other methods.