Journal Article

·2017

Solving test suite reduction problem using greedy and genetic algorithms

Ali Yamuc YTU , Mustafa Özgür Cingiz YTU , Göksel Biricik YTU , Oya Kalıpsız YTU

Abstract

Regression testing is an important process for software quality. Test case reduction is one of the widely used techniques for regression testing, which can dramatically decrease the testing costs. However, it is an NP-complete problem and big test cases cannot be accomplished in reasonable amount of time. For this reason, we propose a test suite reduction approach by using greedy and genetic algorithms. The greedy algorithm found a wide usage in previous studies thanks to its simplicity, but we already know that it sticks to local optima and does not benefit from metaheuristics. Thus, we used genetic algorithm to overcome its weaknesses. Our experimental results prove that metaheuristics and evolutionary algorithms perform better than the greedy approaches.

Keywords

Greedy algorithm Computer science Test suite Reduction (mathematics) Genetic algorithm Metaheuristic Regression testing Algorithm Mathematical optimization Test case Software Machine learning Regression analysis Mathematics Software system

Subject Areas

Software Testing and Debugging Techniques ·Software ·Physical Sciences
Software Reliability and Analysis Research ·Software ·Physical Sciences
Software Engineering Research ·Information Systems ·Physical Sciences

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