Runtime verification of state machines and defect localization applying model-based testing

Abstract

In this paper we introduce a method for runtime verification of the behavior of a system against state machines models in order to identify inconsistencies between the two. This is achieved by tracking states and transitions at runtime and comparing with the expected behavior of the system captured in the form of state machine models. The goal is to increase our confidence that the order of states at runtime matches what is specified by the models. The method also provides for defect localization by identifying that in the transition between which states a deviation from the expected behavior has occurred. The necessity and importance of the method lies in the fact that in model-based development, models are also used to perform analysis. Therefore, if there is any discrepancy between the behavior of the system at runtime and the models, then the result of model-based analyses which are performed may also be invalid and not applicable for the system anymore. For this purpose, in our method we create executable test cases from state machine models to test the runtime behavior of the system.