Minimization of Model-based Tests in Modbat

Sammanfattning

Model-based testing (MBT) is a promising testing method with advantages like exhaustive exploration and high maintainability. However, one notable downside is that the generated tests usually contain much unnecessary noise. This noise can present itself as superfluous actions that bear no effect on test outcome — worsening comprehensibility and inflating test size. Generalpurpose minimization techniques like delta debugging have been successful in minimizing similar input before. The process involves removing elements that are redundant for satisfying given criteria, e.g., that a test still identifies a specific fault. In this thesis, we formulate the modmin algorithm which makes use of a hierarchical delta debugging approach to minimize sequences generated with Modbat — an open source MBT tool based on the extended finite-state machine (EFSM). One after the other, the algorithm attacks three common sub-structures found within the generated tests: model instances, loops, and transitions. To evaluate the work, we extended Modbat with modmin and applied it to tests generated from a set of ten models of varying complexity. The results show that modmin is very proficient at minimizing the tests generated from our model set and that it does so at a negligible cost.