Test case generation with PATHCRAWLER/LTEST: How to automate an industrial testing process

Abstract

Automatic white-box testing based on formal methods is now a relatively mature technology and operational tools are available. Despite this, and the cost of manual testing, the technology is still rarely applied in an industrial setting. This paper describes how the specific needs of the user can be taken into account in order to build the necessary interface with a generic test tool. We present PathCrawler/LTest, a generator of test inputs for structural coverage of C functions, recently extended to support labels. Labels offer a generic mechanism for specification of code coverage criteria and make it possible to prototype and implement new criteria for specific industrial needs. We describe the essential participation of the research branch of an industrial user in bridging the gap between the tool developers and their business unit and adapting PathCrawler/LTest to the needs of the latter. We present the excellent results so far of their ongoing adoption and finish by mentioning possible improvements.