A Hierarchical Model for Regression Test Selection and Cost Analysis of Java Programs

Regression testing is an important but expensive stage of software maintenance. Regression test selection addresses the problem of reducing testing cost through selecting a subset of the existing test cases or rerun. Cost-effectiveness is an indispensable factor to consider when developing a regression testing technique. Cost models are created for the purpose of assessing cost-effectiveness of these techniques. The current regression test selection strategies or cost analysis seldom consider hierarchy, which is an inherent characteristic of object-oriented program. In addition, selecting test cases at different levels influences the precision and efficiency of selection. This paper presents a hierarchical regression test selection technique for Java programs to stepwise select test cases from high level of program to low level of program. To effectively evaluate the correlative overall cost, this paper also proposes a hierarchical cost model for analyzing the cost-effectiveness of selection level according to hierarchy step by step. The empirical studies show that our approach can reduce the total cost and achieve more cost-effective results.