Mutation Analysis Using Mutant Schemata

Mutation analysis is a powerful technique for assessing and improving the quality of test data used to unit test software. Unfortunately, current automated mutation analysis systems su er from severe performance problems. This paper presents a new method for performing mutation analysis that uses program schemata to encode all mutants for a program into one metaprogram, which is subsequently compiled and run at speeds substantially higher than achieved by previous interpretive systems. Preliminary performance improvements of over 300 are reported. This method has the additional advantages of being easier to implementthan interpretive systems, being simpler to port across a wide range of hardware and software platforms, and using the same compiler and run-time support system that is used during development and or deployment.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 1993
• Where: ISSTA
• Authors: Roland H. Untch, A. Jefferson Offutt, Mary Jean Harrold
• Keywords: Interpretive Systems, ISSTA 1993, Mutation Analysis, Mutation Analysis Systems, Software Engineering