Consistency techniques for test data generation

This thesis presents a new approach for automated test data generation of imperative programs containing integer, boolean and/or float variables. A test program (with procedure calls) is represented by an Interprocedural Control Flow Graph (ICFG). The classical testing criteria (statement, branch, and path coverage), widely used in unit testing, are extended to the ICFG. Path coverage is the core of our approach. Given a specified path of the ICFG, a path constraint is derived and solved to obtain a test case. The constraint solving is carried out based on a consistency notion. For statement (and branch) coverage, paths reaching a specified node or branch are dynamically constructed. The search for suitable paths is guided by the interprocedural control dependences of the program. The search is also pruned by our consistency filter. Finally, test data are generated by the application of the proposed path coverage algorithm. A prototype system implements our approach for C programs. Experimental results, including complex numerical programs, demonstrate the feasibility of the method and the efficiency of the system, as well as its versatility and flexibility to different classes of problems (integer and/or float variables; arrays, procedures, path coverage, statement coverage).