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Software testing processes as a linear dynamic system

Published: 20 March 2008 Publication History

Abstract

Software testing is essential for software reliability improvement and assurance, and the processes of software testing are intrinsically dynamic. However they are seldom investigated in a mathematically rigorous manner. In this paper a theoretical study is presented to examine the dynamic behavior of software testing. More specifically, a set of simplifying assumptions is adopted to formulate and quantify the software testing processes. The mathematical formulae for the expected number of observed software failures are rigorously derived, the bounds and trends of the expected number of observed software failures are analyzed, and the variance of the number of observed software failures is examined. On the other hand, it is demonstrated that under the simplifying assumptions, the software testing processes can be treated as a linear dynamic system. This suggests that the software testing processes could be classified as linear or non-linear, and there be intrinsic link between software testing and system dynamics.

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  • (2013)Quantitative effects of software testing on reliability improvement in the presence of imperfect debuggingInformation Sciences: an International Journal10.1016/j.ins.2012.06.034218(119-132)Online publication date: 1-Jan-2013
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Published In

cover image Information Sciences: an International Journal
Information Sciences: an International Journal  Volume 178, Issue 6
March, 2008
361 pages

Publisher

Elsevier Science Inc.

United States

Publication History

Published: 20 March 2008

Author Tags

  1. Linear dynamic system
  2. Software reliability
  3. Software testing

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View all
  • (2018)Comparing the reliability of software systemsInformation Sciences: an International Journal10.1016/j.ins.2017.08.079423:C(398-411)Online publication date: 1-Jan-2018
  • (2016)Automatic path-oriented test data generation by boundary hypercuboidsJournal of King Saud University - Computer and Information Sciences10.1016/j.jksuci.2015.05.00228:1(82-97)Online publication date: 1-Jan-2016
  • (2013)Quantitative effects of software testing on reliability improvement in the presence of imperfect debuggingInformation Sciences: an International Journal10.1016/j.ins.2012.06.034218(119-132)Online publication date: 1-Jan-2013
  • (2012)New bounds for binary covering arrays using simulated annealingInformation Sciences: an International Journal10.1016/j.ins.2011.09.020185:1(137-152)Online publication date: 1-Feb-2012
  • (2011)Design and implementation of a t-way test data generation strategy with automated execution tool supportInformation Sciences: an International Journal10.1016/j.ins.2011.01.002181:9(1741-1758)Online publication date: 1-May-2011

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