NOTICE: Due to a lapse in annual appropriations, most of this website is not being updated. Learn more.
Form submissions will still be accepted but will not receive responses at this time. Sections of this site for programs using non-appropriated funds (such as NVLAP) or those that are excepted from the shutdown (such as CHIPS and NVD) will continue to be updated.
An official website of the United States government
Here’s how you know
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Automated Combinatorial Test Methods: Beyond Pairwise Testing
Published
Author(s)
David R. Kuhn, Raghu N. Kacker, Yu Lei
Abstract
Pairwise testing has become a popular approach to software quality assurance because it often provides effective error detection at low cost. However, pairwise (2-way) coverage is not sufficient for assurance of mission-critical software. Combinatorial testing beyond pairwise is rarely used because good algorithms have not been available for complex combinations such as 3- way, 4-way, or more. In addition, significantly more tests are required for combinations beyond pairwise testing, and testers must determine expected results for each set of inputs. This article introduces new tools for automating the production of complete test cases covering up to 6-way combinations.
Citation
Crosstalk (Hill AFB): the Journal of Defense Software Engineering
Kuhn, D.
, Kacker, R.
and Lei, Y.
(2008),
Automated Combinatorial Test Methods: Beyond Pairwise Testing, Crosstalk (Hill AFB): the Journal of Defense Software Engineering, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=152162
(Accessed October 1, 2025)