Distributed Online Test Generation for Model-Based Testing

In online model-based testing, test execution is interleaved with test generation. Test cases should be generated and executed with minimal delay, while still achieving targeted coverage criteria quickly. Extensive model analysis in such case is not possible as any delays in choosing the next step will immediately impact the response times of test execution. The algorithms thus need to be as fast as possible, where a limiting factor is the available computing power. Experts working on the test models used for the generation often need to be able to quickly edit the models, generate test cases, and use the feedback to further evolve the models. Reserving large-scale computing resources while editing the model is unnecessary, but performing the analysis on them for test generation can improve the execution response time significantly. In this paper, we present an approach and algorithm for distributing the online test generation analysis part concurrently over the network, while enabling the expert to work on the models and execute the test cases locally at the same time.