Spectrum-Based Fault Localization for Spreadsheets: Influence of Correct Output Cells on the Fault Localization Quality

Spreadsheets used in companies often contain several thousand formulas. The localization of faulty cells in such large spreadsheets could be time-consuming and frustrating. Spectrum-based fault localization (SFL) supports users in faster locating the faulty cell (s). However, SFL depends on the information the user provides. In this paper, we address three research questions in this context: (RQ1) Do spreadsheets contain correct output cells that positively or negatively influence the ranking of the faulty cells? (RQ2) If yes, is it possible to a-priori determine which correct output cells would positively influence the ranking? (RQ3) Is it possible to avoid a decreasing fault localization quality when adding more correct output cells? This paper shows that there exist correct output cells which positively or negatively influence the ranking. In particular, correct output cells with the largest cones positively influence the ranking of the faulty cell. Balancing the relation of correct and erroneous output cells by duplicating the cones of erroneous output cells improves the fault localization quality.