Using Partition Information to Prioritize Test Cases for Fault Localization

Xiao Yi Zhang; Dave Towey; Tsong Yueh Chen; Zheng Zheng; Kai Yuan Cai

doi:10.1109/COMPSAC.2015.35

Using Partition Information to Prioritize Test Cases for Fault Localization

Xiao Yi Zhang, Dave Towey, Tsong Yueh Chen, Zheng Zheng, Kai Yuan Cai

School of Computer Science

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Fault Localization Prioritization (FLP) aims at reordering existing test cases so that the location of detected faulty components can be identified earlier, using certain fault localization techniques. Although some researchers have proposed adaptive prioritization strategies with white-box code coverage information, such information may not always be available. In this paper, we address the FLP problem using black-box information derived from partitioning the input domain. Based on the well-known technique of Spectra-Based Fault Localization (SBFL), three test case prioritization strategies are designed following some basic SBFL heuristics. The implementation of these proposed strategies relies only on the partition information, and does not require any test case execution history. Experiments show that our strategies, when compared with pure random selection, result in a faster localization of faulty statements, reducing the number of test case executions required. Here, we analyze the characteristics and merits of the three proposed strategies.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Proceedings - 2015 IEEE 39th Annual Computer Software and Applications Conference, COMPSAC 2015
Editors	Sheikh Iqbal Ahamed, Carl K. Chang, Jingwei Yang, Pao-Ann Hsiung, William Chu, Ivica Crnkovic, Gang Huang
Publisher	IEEE Computer Society
Pages	121-126
Number of pages	6
ISBN (Electronic)	9781467365635
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/COMPSAC.2015.35
Publication status	Published - 21 Sept 2015
Event	39th IEEE Annual Computer Software and Applications Conference, COMPSAC 2015 - Taichung, Taiwan, Province of China Duration: 1 Jul 2015 → 5 Jul 2015

Publication series

Name	Proceedings - International Computer Software and Applications Conference
Volume	2
ISSN (Print)	0730-3157

Conference

Conference	39th IEEE Annual Computer Software and Applications Conference, COMPSAC 2015
Country/Territory	Taiwan, Province of China
City	Taichung
Period	1/07/15 → 5/07/15

Keywords

Adaptive strategies
Software fault localization
Test case prioritization

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Software
Computer Science Applications

Access to Document

10.1109/COMPSAC.2015.35

Cite this

Zhang, X. Y., Towey, D., Chen, T. Y., Zheng, Z., & Cai, K. Y. (2015). Using Partition Information to Prioritize Test Cases for Fault Localization. In S. I. Ahamed, C. K. Chang, J. Yang, P.-A. Hsiung, W. Chu, I. Crnkovic, & G. Huang (Eds.), Proceedings - 2015 IEEE 39th Annual Computer Software and Applications Conference, COMPSAC 2015 (pp. 121-126). Article 7273609 (Proceedings - International Computer Software and Applications Conference; Vol. 2). IEEE Computer Society. https://doi.org/10.1109/COMPSAC.2015.35

Zhang, Xiao Yi ; Towey, Dave ; Chen, Tsong Yueh et al. / Using Partition Information to Prioritize Test Cases for Fault Localization. Proceedings - 2015 IEEE 39th Annual Computer Software and Applications Conference, COMPSAC 2015. editor / Sheikh Iqbal Ahamed ; Carl K. Chang ; Jingwei Yang ; Pao-Ann Hsiung ; William Chu ; Ivica Crnkovic ; Gang Huang. IEEE Computer Society, 2015. pp. 121-126 (Proceedings - International Computer Software and Applications Conference).

@inproceedings{5e2c14a2f13045e39ae197f68084c71c,

title = "Using Partition Information to Prioritize Test Cases for Fault Localization",

abstract = "Fault Localization Prioritization (FLP) aims at reordering existing test cases so that the location of detected faulty components can be identified earlier, using certain fault localization techniques. Although some researchers have proposed adaptive prioritization strategies with white-box code coverage information, such information may not always be available. In this paper, we address the FLP problem using black-box information derived from partitioning the input domain. Based on the well-known technique of Spectra-Based Fault Localization (SBFL), three test case prioritization strategies are designed following some basic SBFL heuristics. The implementation of these proposed strategies relies only on the partition information, and does not require any test case execution history. Experiments show that our strategies, when compared with pure random selection, result in a faster localization of faulty statements, reducing the number of test case executions required. Here, we analyze the characteristics and merits of the three proposed strategies.",

keywords = "Adaptive strategies, Software fault localization, Test case prioritization",

author = "Zhang, {Xiao Yi} and Dave Towey and Chen, {Tsong Yueh} and Zheng Zheng and Cai, {Kai Yuan}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2015 IEEE.; 39th IEEE Annual Computer Software and Applications Conference, COMPSAC 2015 ; Conference date: 01-07-2015 Through 05-07-2015",

year = "2015",

month = sep,

day = "21",

doi = "10.1109/COMPSAC.2015.35",

language = "English",

series = "Proceedings - International Computer Software and Applications Conference",

publisher = "IEEE Computer Society",

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editor = "Ahamed, {Sheikh Iqbal} and Chang, {Carl K.} and Jingwei Yang and Pao-Ann Hsiung and William Chu and Ivica Crnkovic and Gang Huang",

booktitle = "Proceedings - 2015 IEEE 39th Annual Computer Software and Applications Conference, COMPSAC 2015",

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Zhang, XY, Towey, D, Chen, TY, Zheng, Z & Cai, KY 2015, Using Partition Information to Prioritize Test Cases for Fault Localization. in SI Ahamed, CK Chang, J Yang, P-A Hsiung, W Chu, I Crnkovic & G Huang (eds), Proceedings - 2015 IEEE 39th Annual Computer Software and Applications Conference, COMPSAC 2015., 7273609, Proceedings - International Computer Software and Applications Conference, vol. 2, IEEE Computer Society, pp. 121-126, 39th IEEE Annual Computer Software and Applications Conference, COMPSAC 2015, Taichung, Taiwan, Province of China, 1/07/15. https://doi.org/10.1109/COMPSAC.2015.35

Using Partition Information to Prioritize Test Cases for Fault Localization. / Zhang, Xiao Yi; Towey, Dave; Chen, Tsong Yueh et al.
Proceedings - 2015 IEEE 39th Annual Computer Software and Applications Conference, COMPSAC 2015. ed. / Sheikh Iqbal Ahamed; Carl K. Chang; Jingwei Yang; Pao-Ann Hsiung; William Chu; Ivica Crnkovic; Gang Huang. IEEE Computer Society, 2015. p. 121-126 7273609 (Proceedings - International Computer Software and Applications Conference; Vol. 2).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

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T1 - Using Partition Information to Prioritize Test Cases for Fault Localization

AU - Zhang, Xiao Yi

AU - Towey, Dave

AU - Chen, Tsong Yueh

AU - Zheng, Zheng

AU - Cai, Kai Yuan

PY - 2015/9/21

Y1 - 2015/9/21

N2 - Fault Localization Prioritization (FLP) aims at reordering existing test cases so that the location of detected faulty components can be identified earlier, using certain fault localization techniques. Although some researchers have proposed adaptive prioritization strategies with white-box code coverage information, such information may not always be available. In this paper, we address the FLP problem using black-box information derived from partitioning the input domain. Based on the well-known technique of Spectra-Based Fault Localization (SBFL), three test case prioritization strategies are designed following some basic SBFL heuristics. The implementation of these proposed strategies relies only on the partition information, and does not require any test case execution history. Experiments show that our strategies, when compared with pure random selection, result in a faster localization of faulty statements, reducing the number of test case executions required. Here, we analyze the characteristics and merits of the three proposed strategies.

AB - Fault Localization Prioritization (FLP) aims at reordering existing test cases so that the location of detected faulty components can be identified earlier, using certain fault localization techniques. Although some researchers have proposed adaptive prioritization strategies with white-box code coverage information, such information may not always be available. In this paper, we address the FLP problem using black-box information derived from partitioning the input domain. Based on the well-known technique of Spectra-Based Fault Localization (SBFL), three test case prioritization strategies are designed following some basic SBFL heuristics. The implementation of these proposed strategies relies only on the partition information, and does not require any test case execution history. Experiments show that our strategies, when compared with pure random selection, result in a faster localization of faulty statements, reducing the number of test case executions required. Here, we analyze the characteristics and merits of the three proposed strategies.

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A2 - Ahamed, Sheikh Iqbal

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A2 - Hsiung, Pao-Ann

A2 - Chu, William

A2 - Crnkovic, Ivica

A2 - Huang, Gang

PB - IEEE Computer Society

T2 - 39th IEEE Annual Computer Software and Applications Conference, COMPSAC 2015

Y2 - 1 July 2015 through 5 July 2015

ER -

Zhang XY, Towey D, Chen TY, Zheng Z, Cai KY. Using Partition Information to Prioritize Test Cases for Fault Localization. In Ahamed SI, Chang CK, Yang J, Hsiung PA, Chu W, Crnkovic I, Huang G, editors, Proceedings - 2015 IEEE 39th Annual Computer Software and Applications Conference, COMPSAC 2015. IEEE Computer Society. 2015. p. 121-126. 7273609. (Proceedings - International Computer Software and Applications Conference). doi: 10.1109/COMPSAC.2015.35

Using Partition Information to Prioritize Test Cases for Fault Localization

Abstract

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Keywords

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