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A systematic approach to testing UML designs

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dc.contributor.authorDinh-Trong, Trung T., author
dc.contributor.authorFrance, Robert B., advisor
dc.contributor.authorGhosh, Sudipto, advisor
dc.date.accessioned2024-03-13T19:26:12Z
dc.date.available2024-03-13T19:26:12Z
dc.date.issued2007
dc.description.abstractIn Model Driven Engineering (MDE) approaches, developers create and refine design models from which substantial portions of implementations are generated. During refinement, undetected faults in an abstract model can traverse into the refined models, and eventually into code. Hence, finding and removing faults in design models is essential for MDE approaches to succeed. This dissertation describes a testing approach to finding faults in design models created using the Unified Modeling Language (UML). Executable forms of UML design models are exercised using generated test inputs that provide coverage with respect to UML-based coverage criteria. The UML designs that are tested consist of class diagrams, sequence diagrams and activity diagrams. The contribution of the dissertation includes (1) a test input generation technique, (2) an approach to execute design models describing sequential behavior with test inputs in order to detect faults, and (3) a set of pilot studies that are carried out to explore the fault detection capability of our testing approach. The test input generation technique involves analyzing design models under test to produce test inputs that satisfy UML sequence diagram coverage criteria. We defined a directed graph structure, named Variable Assignment Graph (VAG), to generate test inputs. The VAG combines information from class and sequence diagrams. Paths are selected from the VAG and constraints are identified to traverse the paths. The constraints are then solved with a constraint solver. The model execution technique involves transforming each design under test into an executable form, which is exercised with the generated inputs. Failures are reported if the observed behavior differs from the expected behavior. We proposed an action language, named Java-like Action Language (JAL), that supports the UML action semantics. We developed a prototype tool, named UMLAnT, that performs test execution and animation of design models. We performed pilot studies to evaluate the fault detection effectiveness of our approach. Mutation faults and commonly occurring faults in UML models created by students in our software engineering courses were seeded in three design models. Ninety percent of the seeded faults were detected using our approach.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediumdoctoral dissertations
dc.identifierETDF_Dinh-Trong_2007_3266387.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10217/237686
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartof2000-2019
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.rights.licensePer the terms of a contractual agreement, all use of this item is limited to the non-commercial use of Colorado State University and its authorized users.
dc.subjectmodel-driven engineering
dc.subjectUML
dc.subjectvariable-assignment graphs
dc.subjectcomputer science
dc.titleA systematic approach to testing UML designs
dc.typeText
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineComputer Science
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelDoctoral
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

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