A cost model for determining the optimal number of software test cases

Author

Brown, David B. ; Maghsoodloo, Saeed ; Deason, Wllliam H.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Comput. Sci. & Eng., Auburn Univ., AL, USA

Volume

15

Issue

2

fYear

1989

fDate

2/1/1989 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

218

Lastpage

221

Abstract

A probabilistic model is presented that demonstrates the optimal number of software test cases required in situations where the following can be estimated as independent parameters: (1) the cost per test; (2) the cost per error if undetected until field implementation; (3) the number of software executions over its lifetime; (4) the number of possible different executions; and (5) the number of faults embedded in the software. A formula is derived by the use of calculus and is solved by approximation techniques. Tables of the optimal number of tests over a range of parameter values are presented to illustrate the results. The model serves as a basis for further research efforts to improve the accuracy of input variable estimation

Keywords

DP management; software engineering; cost model; cost per error; cost per test; input variable estimation; optimal number; probabilistic model; software test cases; Computer aided software engineering; Cost function; Embedded software; Error analysis; Life estimation; Life testing; Lifetime estimation; Parameter estimation; Software systems; Software testing;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Software Engineering, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0098-5589

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/32.21747

Filename

21747