Comparing Aspects with Conventional Techniques for Increasing Testability

Aspects have emerged as an attractive mechanism for implementing "testability features" to existing systems. Their invasive nature facilitates increasing the testability of systems that could be very hard to test otherwise. However, prior to industrial adoption, case studies are needed to understand how they differ from conventional techniques. Such techniques include macros and test interfaces, which can be easier to use and manage. In this paper, we compare the use of aspects to macros and test interfaces in increasing the testability of a relative small-sized industrial system. We report our initial experiences and try to provide guidelines for choosing between these alternatives.