Selecting Software Test Data Using Data Flow Information

This paper defines a family of program test data selection criteria derived from data flow analysis techniques similar to those used in compiler optimization. It is argued that currently used path selection criteria, which examine only the control flow of a program, are inadequate quate. Our procedure associates with each point in a program at which a variable is defined, those points at which the value is used. Several test data selection criteria, differing in the type and number of these associations, are defined and compared.