Software tool for regression testing. (c1997)

Abstract

We have developed a software tool that draws flow graphs for C programs and displays testing coverage information in a graphical and user friendly way. The tool helps the software engineer/maintainer to get a feel for the testing process and tables generated by any other testing tool. It also provides a framework for experimenting with regression testing algorithms. Within this framework, we have implemented a reduction based regression testing algorithm. This algorithm assumes that the testing criteria are given by a set of requirements with associated subsets of test cases and then tries to satisfY these requirements with a minimum of test cases. We have used the tool to compare a number of regression testing algorithms. The comparative study uses a variety of small-size and medium-size modules and is based on quantitative and qualitative criteria. The comparison results show that the six algorithms are suitable for different requirements of regression testing. For medium-size modules, the adapted firewall algorithm is the slowest. The genetic and simulated annealing algorithms produce the least number of retests, followed by reduction, then incremental, slicing, and adapted firewall algorithms.