Javier Tuya

Mutating database queries

A set of mutation operators for SQL queries that retrieve information from a database is developed and tested against a set of queries drawn from the NIST SQL Conformance Test Suite. The mutation operators cover a wide spectrum of SQL features, including the handling of null values. Additional experiments are performed to explore whether the cost of executing mutants can be reduced using selective mutation or the test suite size can be reduced by using an appropriate ordering of the mutants. The SQL mutation approach can be helpful in assessing the adequacy of database test cases and their development, and as a tool for systematically injecting faults in order to compare different database testing techniques.

A tabu search algorithm for structural software testing

This paper presents a tabu search metaheuristic algorithm for the automatic generation of structural software tests. It is a novel work since tabu search is applied to the automation of the test generation task, whereas previous works have used other techniques such as genetic algorithms. The developed test generator has a cost function for intensifying the search and another for diversifying the search that is used when the intensification is not successful. It also combines the use of memory with a backtracking process to avoid getting stuck in local minima. Evaluation of the generator was performed using complex programs under test and large ranges for input variables. Results show that the developed generator is both effective and efficient.

Automated software testing using a metaheuristic technique based on Tabu search

The use of techniques for automating the generation of software test cases is very important as it can reduce the time and cost of this process. The latest methods for automatic generation of tests use metaheuristic search techniques, i.e. genetic algorithms and simulated annealing. There is a great deal of research into the use of genetic algorithms to obtain a specific coverage in software testing but there is none using the metaheuristic Tabu search technique. In this paper, we explain how we have created an efficient testing technique that combines Tabu search with Korel chaining approach. Our technique automatically generates test data in order to obtain branch coverage in software testing.

Automated test data generation using a scatter search approach

The techniques for the automatic generation of test cases try to efficiently find a small set of cases that allow a given adequacy criterion to be fulfilled, thus contributing to a reduction in the cost of software testing. In this paper we present and analyze two versions of an approach based on the scatter search metaheuristic technique for the automatic generation of software test cases using a branch coverage adequacy criterion. The first test case generator, called TCSS, uses a diversity property to extend the search of test cases to all branches of the program under test in order to generate test cases that cover these. The second, called TCSS-LS, is an extension of the previous test case generator which combines the diversity property with a local search method that allows the intensification of the search for test cases that cover the difficult branches. We present the results obtained by our generators and carry out a detailed comparison with many other generators, showing a good performance of our approach.

SQLMutation: A tool to generate mutants of SQL database queries

We present a tool to automatically generate mutants of SQL database queries. The SQLMutation tool is available on the Web and it can be accessed using two different interfaces: A Web application to interactively generate the mutants and a Web service that allows it to be integrated with other applications developed using different platforms.

Testing in Service Oriented Architectures with dynamic binding: A mapping study

Context: Service Oriented Architectures (SOA) have emerged as a new paradigm to develop interoperable and highly dynamic applications. Objective: This paper aims to identify the state of the art in the research on testing in Service Oriented Architectures with dynamic binding. Method: A mapping study has been performed employing both manual and automatic search in journals, conference/workshop proceedings and electronic databases. Results: A total of 33 studies have been reviewed in order to extract relevant information regarding a previously defined set of research questions. The detection of faults and the decision making based on the information gathered from the tests have been identified as the main objectives of these studies. To achieve these goals, monitoring and test case generation are the most proposed techniques testing both functional and non-functional properties. Furthermore, different stakeholders have been identified as participants in the tests, which are performed in specific points in time during the life cycle of the services. Finally, it has been observed that a relevant group of studies have not validated their approach yet. Conclusions: Although we have only found 33 studies that address the testing of SOA where the discovery and binding of the services are performed at runtime, this number can be considered significant due to the specific nature of the reviewed topic. The results of this study have contributed to provide a body of knowledge that allows identifying current gaps in improving the quality of the dynamic binding in SOA using testing approaches.

Constraint-based test database generation for SQL queries

Populating test databases with meaningful test data is a difficult task as it involves generating data for many joined tables that must be diverse enough to be able to reveal faults and small enough to make the testing process efficient. This paper proposes an approach for the automatic generation of a test database for a set of SQL queries using a test criterion specifically tailored for the SQL language (SQLFpc). Given as input a schema database and a set of test requirements derived from the application of the test criterion to the target queries, the approach returns a database instance which satisfies the test requirements. Both the schema and the test requirements are modeled in the Alloy language, after which the analyzer generates the test database. The approach is evaluated on a real case study and the results show its feasibility, generating a test database of reduced size with an elevated coverage and mutation score.

Generation of Conformance Test Suites for Compositions of Web Services Using Model Checking

Testing compositions of Web services is complex, due to their distributed nature and asynchronous behaviour. However, research in this field is scarce. We propose a new testing method for compositions of Web services. A formal verification tool (the SPIN model checker) is used to automatically generate test suites for compositions specified in an industry standard language: BPEL. Adequacy criteria is employed to define a systematic procedure to select the test cases. Preliminary results have been obtained using a transition coverage criterion

A First Approach to Test Case Generation for BPEL Compositions of Web Services Using Scatter Search

A challenging part of Software Testing entails the generation of test cases, which cost can be reduced by means of the use of techniques for automating this task. In this paper we present an approach based on the metaheuristic technique Scatter Search for the automatic test case generation of the BPEL business process. A transition coverage criterion is used as adequacy criterion.

EDSS for the evaluation of alternatives in waste water collecting systems design

Abstract The design of new wastewater treatment systems in rural areas is a highly complex problem given the numerous possible alternative connections with pre-existent collection networks and the different criteria that affect the correct choice of the sought-after solution. This article presents a (GIS-based) decision support system that aids this design work and which considers the criteria of cost, environmental quality and social cost underlying these infrastructures. This innovative system was developed for the Government of the Principality of Asturias, and an example of its application in rural agglomerations in this region is presented here.