A transformation-based approach to testing concurrent programs using UML activity diagrams

Sun, Chang-ai; Zhao, Yan; Pan, Lin; He, Xiao; Towey, Dave

Abstract

UML activity diagrams are widely used to model concurrent interaction among multiple objects. In this paper, we propose a transformation-based approach to generating scenario-oriented test cases for applications modeled by UML activity diagrams. Using a set of transformation rules, the proposed approach first transforms a UML activity diagram specification into an intermediate representation, from which it then constructs test scenarios with respect to the given concurrency coverage criteria. The approach then finally derives a set of test cases for the constructed test scenarios. The approach resolves the difficulties associated with fork and join concurrency in the UML activity diagram, and enables control over the number of the resulting test cases. We further implemented a tool to automate the proposed approach, and studied its feasibility and effectiveness using a case study. Experimental results show that the approach can generate test cases on demand to satisfy a given concurrency coverage criterion, and can detect up to 76.5% of seeded faults when a weak coverage criterion is used. With the approach, testers can not only schedule the software test process earlier, but can also better allocate the testing resources for testing concurrent applications.

Citation

Sun, C.-A., Zhao, Y., Pan, L., He, X., & Towey, D. (2016). A transformation-based approach to testing concurrent programs using UML activity diagrams. Software: Practice and Experience, 46(4), https://doi.org/10.1002/spe.2324

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 12, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Apr 14, 2015
• Publication Date: Mar 3, 2016
• Deposit Date: May 15, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: May 15, 2018
• Journal: Software: Practice and Experience
• Print ISSN: 0038-0644
• Electronic ISSN: 1097-024X
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 46
• Issue: 4
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/spe.2324
• Keywords: Software Testing; Scenario-oriented Testing; Concurrent Programs; UML Activity Diagrams
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/781667
• Publisher URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/spe.2324
• Contract Date: May 15, 2018