A transformation-based approach to testing concurrent programs using UML activity diagrams
UML activity diagrams are widely used to model concurrent interaction among multiple objects. In this paper, we propose a transformation-based approach to generating scenario-oriented test cases for applications modeled by UML activity diagrams. Using a set of transformation rules, the proposed appr...
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| Format: | Article |
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Wiley
2016
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| Online Access: | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/51790/ |
| _version_ | 1848798575684747264 |
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| author | Sun, Chang-ai Zhao, Yan Pan, Lin He, Xiao Towey, Dave |
| author_facet | Sun, Chang-ai Zhao, Yan Pan, Lin He, Xiao Towey, Dave |
| author_sort | Sun, Chang-ai |
| building | Nottingham Research Data Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | UML activity diagrams are widely used to model concurrent interaction among multiple objects. In this paper, we propose a transformation-based approach to generating scenario-oriented test cases for applications modeled by UML activity diagrams. Using a set of transformation rules, the proposed approach first transforms a UML activity diagram specification into an intermediate representation, from which it then constructs test scenarios with respect to the given concurrency coverage criteria. The approach then finally derives a set of test cases for the constructed test scenarios. The approach resolves the difficulties associated with fork and join concurrency in the UML activity diagram, and enables control over the number of the resulting test cases. We further implemented a tool to automate the proposed approach, and studied its feasibility and effectiveness using a case study. Experimental results show that the approach can generate test cases on demand to satisfy a given concurrency coverage criterion, and can detect up to 76.5% of seeded faults when a weak coverage criterion is used. With the approach, testers can not only schedule the software test process earlier, but can also better allocate the testing resources for testing concurrent applications. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T20:21:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | nottingham-51790 |
| institution | University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T20:21:57Z |
| publishDate | 2016 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | nottingham-517902020-05-04T17:43:05Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/51790/ A transformation-based approach to testing concurrent programs using UML activity diagrams Sun, Chang-ai Zhao, Yan Pan, Lin He, Xiao Towey, Dave UML activity diagrams are widely used to model concurrent interaction among multiple objects. In this paper, we propose a transformation-based approach to generating scenario-oriented test cases for applications modeled by UML activity diagrams. Using a set of transformation rules, the proposed approach first transforms a UML activity diagram specification into an intermediate representation, from which it then constructs test scenarios with respect to the given concurrency coverage criteria. The approach then finally derives a set of test cases for the constructed test scenarios. The approach resolves the difficulties associated with fork and join concurrency in the UML activity diagram, and enables control over the number of the resulting test cases. We further implemented a tool to automate the proposed approach, and studied its feasibility and effectiveness using a case study. Experimental results show that the approach can generate test cases on demand to satisfy a given concurrency coverage criterion, and can detect up to 76.5% of seeded faults when a weak coverage criterion is used. With the approach, testers can not only schedule the software test process earlier, but can also better allocate the testing resources for testing concurrent applications. Wiley 2016-03-03 Article PeerReviewed Sun, Chang-ai, Zhao, Yan, Pan, Lin, He, Xiao and Towey, Dave (2016) A transformation-based approach to testing concurrent programs using UML activity diagrams. Software: Practice and Experience, 46 (4). pp. 551-576. ISSN 0038-0644 Software Testing; Scenario-oriented Testing; Concurrent Programs; UML Activity Diagrams https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/spe.2324 doi:10.1002/spe.2324 doi:10.1002/spe.2324 |
| spellingShingle | Software Testing; Scenario-oriented Testing; Concurrent Programs; UML Activity Diagrams Sun, Chang-ai Zhao, Yan Pan, Lin He, Xiao Towey, Dave A transformation-based approach to testing concurrent programs using UML activity diagrams |
| title | A transformation-based approach to testing concurrent programs using UML activity diagrams |
| title_full | A transformation-based approach to testing concurrent programs using UML activity diagrams |
| title_fullStr | A transformation-based approach to testing concurrent programs using UML activity diagrams |
| title_full_unstemmed | A transformation-based approach to testing concurrent programs using UML activity diagrams |
| title_short | A transformation-based approach to testing concurrent programs using UML activity diagrams |
| title_sort | transformation-based approach to testing concurrent programs using uml activity diagrams |
| topic | Software Testing; Scenario-oriented Testing; Concurrent Programs; UML Activity Diagrams |
| url | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/51790/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/51790/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/51790/ |