Equivalence Class Verification and Oracle-Free Testing Using Two-layer Covering Arrays

Published

April 17, 2015

Author(s)

David R. Kuhn, Raghu N. Kacker, Yu Lei, Jose Torres-Jimenez

Abstract

This short paper introduces a method for verifying equivalence classes for module/unit testing. This is achieved using a two-layer covering array, in which some or all values of a primary covering array represent equivalence classes. A second layer covering array of the equivalence class values is computed, and its values substituted for the equivalence class names in the primary array. It is shown that this method can also detect certain classes of errors without a conventional test oracle, and an illustrative example is given.

Proceedings Title

4th International Workshop on Combinatorial Testing

Conference Dates

April 13-17, 2015

Conference Location

Vienna

Conference Title

IEEE International Conference on Software Testing, Verification and Validation

Pub Type

Conferences

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1109/ICSTW.2015.7107445

Keywords

combinatorial testing, factor covering array, oracle problem, t-way testing, verification and validation (V&V)

Citation

Kuhn, D. , Kacker, R. , Lei, Y. and Torres-Jimenez, J. (2015), Equivalence Class Verification and Oracle-Free Testing Using Two-layer Covering Arrays, 4th International Workshop on Combinatorial Testing, Vienna, -1, [online], https://doi.org/10.1109/ICSTW.2015.7107445 (Accessed October 24, 2025)