Title :
A model of code sharing for estimating software failure on demand probabilities
Author :
May, J.H.R. ; Lunn, A.D.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Comput., Open Univ., Milton Keynes, UK
fDate :
9/1/1995 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
A statistical software testing model is proposed in which white box factors have a role. The model combines test adequacy notions with statistical analysis, and in so doing provides a rudimentary treatment of dependencies between test results caused by the execution of common code during the tests. The model is used to estimate the probability of failure on demand for software performing safety shutdown functions on large plants and concerns the case where extensive test results are available on the latest version of the software, none of which have resulted in software failure. According to the model, there are circumstances in which some current statistical models for dynamic software testing are too conservative, and others are not conservative, depending on the software architecture
Keywords :
probability; program diagnostics; program testing; safety-critical software; statistical analysis; code sharing; common code execution; safety shutdown functions; software failure estimation; software failure on demand probability; software testing; statistical analysis; statistical software testing model; test adequacy notions; white box factors; Performance evaluation; Phase frequency detector; Probability; Sampling methods; Software performance; Software reliability; Software safety; Software testing; Statistical analysis; Steady-state;
Journal_Title :
Software Engineering, IEEE Transactions on
