Test Path Selection Criteria
"A Formal Evaluation of Data Flow Path Selection Criteria,"
by L. A. Clarke, A. Podgurski, D. J. Richardson, and S. J. Zeil,
in IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering, November 1989
revised from "A Comparison of Data Flow Path Selection Criteria,''
in Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference on
Software Engineering, August 1985
awarded Most Influential Paper of ICSE-8,
judged at ICSE-18 to have had a significant impact on the field ten years later
Abstract
A number of path selection criteria have been proposed throughout
the years. Unfortunately, little work has been done on comparing these
criteria. To determine what would be an effective path selection criterion
for revealing faults in programs, we have undertaken an evaluation of these
criteria. This paper reports on the results of our evaluation of path
selection criteria based on data flow relationships. We show how these
criteria relate to each other, thereby demonstrating some of their strengths
and weaknesses. In addition, we suggest minor changes to some criteria that
improve their performance. We conclude with a discussion of the major
limitations of these criteria and directions for future research.
from Debra J. Richardson
djr@ics.uci.edu
Department of Information and Computer Science,
University of California, Irvine CA 92717-3425