Javier Tuya

Bio: Javier Tuya is an academic researcher from University of Oviedo. The author has contributed to research in topics: Test case & Web service. The author has an hindex of 16, co-authored 100 publications receiving 1432 citations.

Mutating database queries

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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

Abstract: 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's chaining approach. Our technique automatically generates test data in order to obtain branch coverage in software testing.

Generating Test Cases Specifications for BPEL Compositions of Web Services Using SPIN

Abstract: Generating test cases for compositions of web services is complex, due to their distributed nature and asynchronous behaviour. In this paper, a formal verification tool ‐ the SPIN model checker ‐ is used to generate test suite specifications for compositions specified in BPEL. A transition coverage criterion is employed to defin e a systematic procedure to select the test cases. The approach is applied to the “loan ap proval” sample composition.

Guidelines for conducting systematic mapping studies in software engineering : An update

Abstract: Context Systematic mapping studies are used to structure a research area, while systematic reviews are focused on gathering and synthesizing evidence. The most recent guidelines for systematic mapping are from 2008. Since that time, many suggestions have been made of how to improve systematic literature reviews (SLRs). There is a need to evaluate how researchers conduct the process of systematic mapping and identify how the guidelines should be updated based on the lessons learned from the existing systematic maps and SLR guidelines. Objective To identify how the systematic mapping process is conducted (including search, study selection, analysis and presentation of data, etc.); to identify improvement potentials in conducting the systematic mapping process and updating the guidelines accordingly. Method We conducted a systematic mapping study of systematic maps, considering some practices of systematic review guidelines as well (in particular in relation to defining the search and to conduct a quality assessment). Results In a large number of studies multiple guidelines are used and combined, which leads to different ways in conducting mapping studies. The reason for combining guidelines was that they differed in the recommendations given. Conclusion The most frequently followed guidelines are not sufficient alone. Hence, there was a need to provide an update of how to conduct systematic mapping studies. New guidelines have been proposed consolidating existing findings.

An Analysis and Survey of the Development of Mutation Testing

Abstract: Mutation Testing is a fault-based software testing technique that has been widely studied for over three decades The literature on Mutation Testing has contributed a set of approaches, tools, developments, and empirical results This paper provides a comprehensive analysis and survey of Mutation Testing The paper also presents the results of several development trend analyses These analyses provide evidence that Mutation Testing techniques and tools are reaching a state of maturity and applicability, while the topic of Mutation Testing itself is the subject of increasing interest

A Survey on Software Fault Localization

Abstract: Software fault localization, the act of identifying the locations of faults in a program, is widely recognized to be one of the most tedious, time consuming, and expensive – yet equally critical – activities in program debugging. Due to the increasing scale and complexity of software today, manually locating faults when failures occur is rapidly becoming infeasible, and consequently, there is a strong demand for techniques that can guide software developers to the locations of faults in a program with minimal human intervention. This demand in turn has fueled the proposal and development of a broad spectrum of fault localization techniques, each of which aims to streamline the fault localization process and make it more effective by attacking the problem in a unique way. In this article, we catalog and provide a comprehensive overview of such techniques and discuss key issues and concerns that are pertinent to software fault localization as a whole.

A Systematic Review of the Application and Empirical Investigation of Search-Based Test Case Generation

Abstract: Metaheuristic search techniques have been extensively used to automate the process of generating test cases, and thus providing solutions for a more cost-effective testing process. This approach to test automation, often coined “Search-based Software Testing” (SBST), has been used for a wide variety of test case generation purposes. Since SBST techniques are heuristic by nature, they must be empirically investigated in terms of how costly and effective they are at reaching their test objectives and whether they scale up to realistic development artifacts. However, approaches to empirically study SBST techniques have shown wide variation in the literature. This paper presents the results of a systematic, comprehensive review that aims at characterizing how empirical studies have been designed to investigate SBST cost-effectiveness and what empirical evidence is available in the literature regarding SBST cost-effectiveness and scalability. We also provide a framework that drives the data collection process of this systematic review and can be the starting point of guidelines on how SBST techniques can be empirically assessed. The intent is to aid future researchers doing empirical studies in SBST by providing an unbiased view of the body of empirical evidence and by guiding them in performing well-designed and executed empirical studies.