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Research on Formal Specification-Based Program Testing

Research Project

Project/Area Number 18500027
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
Section一般
Research Field Software
Research InstitutionHosei University

Principal Investigator

LIU Shaoying  Hosei University, Computer Sci., Professor (90264960)

Project Period (FY) 2006 – 2007
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 2007)
Budget Amount *help
¥3,880,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥480,000)
Fiscal Year 2007: ¥2,080,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥480,000)
Fiscal Year 2006: ¥1,800,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,800,000)
KeywordsSoftware testing / Formal specification / Specification-based testing / Software verification / Software engineering / Software reliability / Software review / Formal refinement
Research Abstract

In this project, we have conducted intensive research on the theory, methods, and supporting tool of program testing based on formal specifications. As the result, we have achieved three journal publications, nine international conference publications, and a prototype software tool for the testing method we have developed. The focus of our research is on the following aspects. Firstly, we have proposed the concept of “functional scenario" as the basic criterion for checking the corresponding implementation in the program, and the notion of “functional scenario form (FSF)" as the most suitable structure for test case generation. We have come up with an algorithm for automatically transforming any pre-post-condition style specification into an FSF, and a set of criteria for generating adequate test cases. Secondly, we have established a method for inspecting a pre-post-condition style specification via generating test cases. Thirdly, we have developed a relation-based test case generatio … More n method. By this method, test cases can be automatically generated based on pre-defined relations between input variables of a program. The advantage of this method is that it effectively combines the black-box and white-box testing, without the need to know the details of both the specification and the program. Fourthly, we have developed a technique that integrates the specification-based inspection technique and the specification-based testing techniques. The overall idea of the technique is that a rigorous inspection of the program based on its specification is first carried out to find program bugs that cause crashes, infinite loops, or incorrect implementation of the functional scenarios defined in the specification, and then a sufficient specification-based testing is performed to find bugs occurred during program executions. Fifthly, we have established an approach to testing programs without source code available to testers. This approach emphasizes the use of the interface scenarios of the program, which can be detected by using simple test cases, to form a formal specification in pre- and post-conditions. The specification then serves as the basis for a systematic testing of the program, including test case generation and test result analysis. The significance of this approach is that it can be effectively used to find satisfactory components in the public domain and to perform system and acceptance testing. Finally, we have developed a prototype software tool to support the specification-based testing techniques. The tool has helped us demonstrate the tool supportability of our specification-based testing techniques mentioned above. Less

Report

(3 results)
  • 2007 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report Summary
  • 2006 Annual Research Report
  • Research Products

    (33 results)

All 2008 2007 2006 2005 Other

All Journal Article (12 results) (of which Peer Reviewed: 3 results) Presentation (19 results) Remarks (2 results)

  • [Journal Article] A Review Approach to Detecting Violations of Consistency between Specification and Program Structures2008

    • Author(s)
      Y.Chen, S.Liu, and E.Wong
    • Journal Title

      International Journal of Software Engineering and Knowledge Engineering(IJSEKE) Vol.18,No.8(to appear)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Annual Research Report 2007 Final Research Report Summary
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] A Relation-Based Method Combining Functional and Structural Testing for Test Case Generation2008

    • Author(s)
      S.Liu and Y.Chen
    • Journal Title

      Journal of Systems and Software Vol.81,No.2

      Pages: 234-248

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] A Review Approach to Detecting Violations of Consistency between Specification and Program Structures2008

    • Author(s)
      Y. Chen, S. Liu, E. Wong
    • Journal Title

      International Journal of Software Engineering and Knowledge Eegineering(IJSEKE) Vol.18, No.8(to appear)

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Journal Article] A Relation-Based Method Combining Functional and Structural Testing for Test Case Generation2008

    • Author(s)
      S. Liu, Y. Chen
    • Journal Title

      Journal of Systems and Software Vol.81, No.2

      Pages: 234-248

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Journal Article] An Automated Approach to Specification Animation for Validation2007

    • Author(s)
      S.Liu and H.Wang
    • Journal Title

      Journal of Systems and Software Vol.80,No.8

      Pages: 1271-1285

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] An Automated Approach to Specification Animation for Validation2007

    • Author(s)
      S. Liu, H. Wang
    • Journal Title

      Journal of Systems and Software Vol.80, No.8

      Pages: 1271-1285

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Journal Article] An Automated Approach to Specification Animation for Validation2007

    • Author(s)
      Shaoying Liu, Hao Wang
    • Journal Title

      Journal of Systems and Software (To appear)

    • Related Report
      2006 Annual Research Report
  • [Journal Article] A Relation-Based Method Combining Functional and Structural Testing for Test Case Generation2007

    • Author(s)
      Shaoying Liu, Yuting Chen
    • Journal Title

      Journal of Systems and Software (To appear)

    • Related Report
      2006 Annual Research Report
  • [Journal Article] A Tool for Automatic Transformation between SOFL Class Specifications and UML Diagrams2006

    • Author(s)
      Shaoying Liu, Satoshi Kagiyama
    • Journal Title

      Proceedings of 2006 Software Engineering and Applications (SEA2006),ACTA Press

      Pages: 105-110

    • Related Report
      2006 Annual Research Report
  • [Journal Article] Scenario-Preserved Refinement : a Small Proposal for an Important Problem2006

    • Author(s)
      Shaoying Liu
    • Journal Title

      1^st International Workshop on Asian Working Conference on Verified Software (AWCVS06)

      Pages: 1-10

    • Related Report
      2006 Annual Research Report
  • [Journal Article] A Tool-Supported Review Approach to Detecting Structural Consistency Violations2006

    • Author(s)
      Yuting Chen, Shaoying Liu, Fumiko Nagoya
    • Journal Title

      Proceedings of 11th IEEE International Conference on Engineering of Complex Computer Systems (ICEECS2006), IEEE Computer Society Press

      Pages: 121-130

    • Related Report
      2006 Annual Research Report
  • [Journal Article] An Empirical Study on a Specification-Based Program Review Approach2005

    • Author(s)
      Fumiko Nagoya, Yuting Chen, Shaoying Liu
    • Journal Title

      2006 International Conference on Dependability of Computer Systems (DepCoS-RELCOMEX 2006), IEEE Computer Society Press

      Pages: 199-206

    • Related Report
      2006 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] Utilizing Test Case Generation to Inspect Formal Specifications for Completeness and Feasibility2007

    • Author(s)
      S.Liu
    • Organizer
      Proceedings of 10th IEEE High Assurance Systems Engineering Symposium, IEEE Computer Society Press
    • Place of Presentation
      Dallas,Texas,USA
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Annual Research Report 2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Integrating Specification-Based Review and Testing for Detecting Errors in Programs2007

    • Author(s)
      S.Liu
    • Organizer
      Proceedings of 9th International Conference on Formal Engineering Methods(ICFEM 2007), LNCS 4789, Springer-Verlag
    • Place of Presentation
      Boca Raton,Florida,USA
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Annual Research Report 2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Developing an Insulin Pump System Using the SOFL Method2007

    • Author(s)
      J.Wang, S.Liu, Y.Qi, D.Hou
    • Organizer
      Proceedings of 14th Asia-Pacific Software Engingeering Conference, IEEE Computer Society Press
    • Place of Presentation
      Nagoya,Japan
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Applications of Formal Engineering Method for Modeling and Testing2007

    • Author(s)
      S.Liu and E.Wong
    • Organizer
      Proceedings of 4th International Conference In IT and Application(ICITA2007), Macquarie Scientific Publishing
    • Place of Presentation
      Harbin,China
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Annual Research Report 2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] A Framework for Practical Specification-Based Testing2007

    • Author(s)
      S.Liu
    • Organizer
      2007 International Conference on Software Engineering Theory and Practice, ISRST
    • Place of Presentation
      Orlando,FL,USA
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Annual Research Report 2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Utilizing Test Case Generation to Inspect Formal Specifications for Completeness and Feasibility2007

    • Author(s)
      S. Liu
    • Organizer
      Proceedings of 10th IEEE High Assurance Systems Engineering Symposium, IEEE Computer Society Press
    • Place of Presentation
      Dallas, Texas, USA
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Integrating Specification-Based Reiew and Testing for Detecting Errors in Programs2007

    • Author(s)
      S. Liu
    • Organizer
      Proceedings of 9th International Conference on Formal Engineering Methods(ICFEM 2007), LNCS 4789, Springer-Verlag
    • Place of Presentation
      Boca Raton, Florida, USA
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Developing an Insulin Pump System Using the SOFL Method2007

    • Author(s)
      J. Wang, S. Liu, Y. Qi, D. Hou
    • Organizer
      Proceedings of 14th Asia-Pacific Software Engineering Conference, IEEE Computer Society Press
    • Place of Presentation
      Nagoya, Japan
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Applications of Formal Engineering Method for Modeling and Testing2007

    • Author(s)
      S. Liu, E. Wang
    • Organizer
      Proceedings of 4th International Conference In IT and Application(ICITA2007), Macquarie Scientific Publishing
    • Place of Presentation
      Harbin, China
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] A Framework for Practical Specification-Based Testing2007

    • Author(s)
      S. Liu
    • Organizer
      2007 International Conference on SoftwareEngineering Theory and Practice, ISRST
    • Place of Presentation
      Orlando, FL, USA
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Developing an Insulin Pump System Using the SOFL Method2007

    • Author(s)
      J.Wang, S.Liu, Y.Qi, D.Hou
    • Organizer
      Proceedings of 14th Asia-Pacific Software Engineering Conference, IEEE Computer Society Press
    • Place of Presentation
      Nagoya,Japan
    • Related Report
      2007 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] A Tool for Automatic Transformation between SOFL Class Specifications and UML Diagrams2006

    • Author(s)
      S.Liu and S.Kagiyama
    • Organizer
      Proceedings of 2006 Software Engineering and Applications(SEA2006), ACTA Press
    • Place of Presentation
      Dallas,Texas,USA
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Scenario-Preserved Refinement: a Small Proposal for an Important Problem2006

    • Author(s)
      S.Liu
    • Organizer
      1st International Workshop on Asian Working Conference on Verified Software(AWCVS06)
    • Place of Presentation
      Macau
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] A Tool-Supported Review Approach to Detecting Structural Consistency Violations2006

    • Author(s)
      Y.Chen, S.Liu, F.Nagoya
    • Organizer
      Proceedings of 11th IEEE International Conference on Engineering of Complex Computer Systems(ICEECS 2006), IEEE Computer Society Press
    • Place of Presentation
      Stanford University,CA,USA
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] An Empirical Study on a Specification-Based Program Review Approach2006

    • Author(s)
      F.Nagoya, Y.Chen, S.Liu
    • Organizer
      2006 International Conference on Dependability of Computer Systems(DepCoS-RELCOMEX2006), IEEE Computer Society Press
    • Place of Presentation
      Szklarska Poreba,Poland
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] A Tool for Automatic Transformation between SOFL Class Specifications and UML Diagrams2006

    • Author(s)
      S. Liu, S. Kagiyama
    • Organizer
      Proceedings of 2006 Software Engineering and Applications(SEA2006), ACTA Press
    • Place of Presentation
      Dallas, Texas, USA
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] Scenario-Preserved Refinement : a Small Proposal for an Important Problem2006

    • Author(s)
      S. Liu
    • Organizer
      1st International Workshop on Asian Working Conference on Verified Software(AWCVS06)
    • Place of Presentation
      Macau
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] A Tool-Supported Review Approach to Detecting Structural Consistency Violations2006

    • Author(s)
      Y. Chen, S. Liu, F. Nagoya
    • Organizer
      Proceedings of 11th IEEE International Conference on Engineering of Complex Computer Systems(ICEECS 2006) , IEEE Computer Society Press
    • Place of Presentation
      Stanford University, CA, USA
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Presentation] An Empirical Study on a Specification-Based Program Review Approach2006

    • Author(s)
      F. Nagoya, Y. Chen, S. Liu
    • Organizer
      2006 International Conference on Dependability of Computer Systems(DepCoS-RELCOMEX 2006) , IEEE Computer Society Press
    • Place of Presentation
      Szklarska Poreba, Poland
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Remarks] 「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より

    • URL

      http://cis.k.hosei.ac.jp/~sliu/

    • Related Report
      2007 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Remarks]

    • URL

      http://cis.k.hosei.ac.jp/~sliu

    • Related Report
      2007 Annual Research Report

URL: 

Published: 2006-04-01   Modified: 2016-04-21  

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