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• With support of the games project, we currently organize a tutorial seminar on model-based testing of reactive systems. Click here for further details.

• nothing scheduled right now

• [November 4, 2003] Alexander Pretschner: Model-based Testing of Reactive Systems

  Abstract. Model-based testing relies on the use of explicit and executable behavior models that encode the intended behavior of a system. Incremental development yields a model that is considered valid. The input part of I/O traces of this model are fed into the implementation, and the output of the latter is compared to that of the former.

  Models are abstractions, or simplifications. This means that one needs adaptors to bridge the gap between the different levels of abstraction of model and implementation. Before being applied to the implementation, the model's input must be concretized. Conversely, the implementation's output must be abstracted prior to being compared to the model's output. Complexity is thus distributed between model and adaptor.

  We discuss both methodological and technical issues. Methodologically, scenarios of model-based testing are scrutinized. They differ w.r.t. the ordering in which model and implementation are built. In addition, we discuss different selection criteria on the set of model traces, so-called test case specifications. Technically, we present a means to generate test cases (I/O sequences of the model) from a behavior model and a test case specification. Our approach is based on symbolic execution. In many cases, test case generation amounts to searching the model's state space. Consequently, we discuss directed search and symbolic storage of sets of states to the end of increased efficiency.

  Two industrial case studies illustrate the approach: the wireless identity module of a chip card, and the network master of a MOST network found in modern upper class vehicles.

The slides from the Edinburgh Kick-Off Meeting are on.