d(mu)Reg: A Path-Aware Mutation Analysis Guided Approach to Regression Testing

Abstract

Regression testing re-runs some previously executed test cases, with the purpose of checking whether previously fixed faults have re-emerged and ensuring that the changes do not negatively affect the existing behaviors of the software under development. Today's software is rapidly developed and evolved, and thus it is critical to implement regression testing quickly and effectively. In this paper, we propose a novel technique for regression testing, based on a family of mutant selection strategies. The preliminary results show that the proposed technique can significantly improve the efficiency of different regression testing activities, including test case reduction and prioritization. Our work also makes it possible to develop a unified framework that effectively implements various activities in regression testing.