Automatic string test data generation for detecting domain errors

Domain testing is designed to detect domain errors that result from a small boundary shift in a path domain. Although many researchers have studied domain testing, automatic domain test data generation for string predicates has seldom been explored. This paper presents a novel approach for the automatic generation of ON–OFF test points for string predicate borders, and describes a corresponding test data generator. Our empirical work is conducted on a set of programs with string predicates, where extensive trials have been done for each string predicate, and the results are analysed using the SPSS tool. Conclusions are drawn that: (i) the approach is promising and effective; (ii) there is a strong linear relationship between the performance of the test generator and the length of target string in the predicate tested; and (iii) initial inputs, no shorter than the target string and with characters generated randomly, may enhance the performance in the test data generation for string predicates. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This paper presents a novel approach to the automatic generation of ON-OFF test points for string predicate borders. A number of experiments have been done. The conclusions are drawn that there is a strong linear relationship between the performance of the test generator and the length of the target string, and the performance of the string test data generation can be enhanced with initial inputs not shorter than the target string and with characters generated randomly. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.