Understanding the Software Fault Introduction Process

Testing and debugging research revolves around faults, yet we have a limited understanding of the processes by which faults are introduced and removed. Previous work in this area has focused on describing faults rather than explaining the introduction and removal processes, meaning that a great deal of testing and debugging research depends on assumptions that have not been empirically validated. We propose a three-phase project to develop an explanatory theory of the fault introduction process and describe how the project will be completed.