Title :
Analyzing regression test selection techniques
Author :
Rothermel, Gregg ; Harrold, Mary Jean
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Comput. Sci., Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR, USA
fDate :
8/1/1996 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
Regression testing is a necessary but expensive maintenance activity aimed at showing that code has not been adversely affected by changes. Regression test selection techniques reuse tests from an existing test suite to test a modified program. Many regression test selection techniques have been proposed, however, it is difficult to compare and evaluate these techniques because they have different goals. This paper outlines the issues relevant to regression test selection techniques, and uses these issues as the basis for a framework within which to evaluate the techniques. The paper illustrates the application of the framework by using it to evaluate existing regression test selection techniques. The evaluation reveals the strengths and weaknesses of existing techniques, and highlights some problems that future work in this area should address
Keywords :
program debugging; program testing; software maintenance; software reusability; statistical analysis; framework; program test reuse; regression test selection techniques; selective retest; software maintenance; test suite; Computational efficiency; Computer science; Costs; Information science; Performance evaluation; Production; Software maintenance; Software measurement; Software testing;
Journal_Title :
Software Engineering, IEEE Transactions on