Model-based regression test suite generation using dependence analysis

Abstract

A regression test suite (RTS) is constructed to ensure that the changed parts of the system under test (SUT) behave as desired and that the unchanged parts of the SUT are not adversely affected. Model-based testing is a system testing technique in which systems are modeled by formal description languages, e.g., Extended Finite State Machine (EFSM) models. In this paper, a model-based RTS generation method based on EFSM dependence analysis is proposed. Twelve types of dependences are identified related to three types of elementary modifications (EMs), i.e., adding, deleting, and changing transitions in an EFSM model representing an SUT. These dependences capture the effects of the model on the EMs, the effects of the EMs on the model, and the side-effects of the EMs. The proposed method constructs an RTS by covering all occurrences of these dependences caused in a given EFSM model by a given set of EMs.