Semi-automated Algorithm for Complex Test Data Generation for Interface-based Regression Testing of Software Components

Abstract

This paper describes in detail the Complex Object Generation (COG) algorithm, which is a semi-automated algorithm for the generation of instances of classes (i.e., objects) with a complex inner structure for Java and similar languages designed for black-box testing (i.e., without available source code). The algorithm was developed and tested as a stand-alone algorithm and can be used as such (e.g., during unit testing). However, we plan to use it to generate the parameter values of generated method invocations, which is a vital part of our interface-based regression testing of software components.