Mapping class dependencies for fun and profit

Abstract

Classes depend on other classes to perform certain tasks. By mapping these dependencies, we may be able to improve software quality. We have developed a prototype framework for generating optimized groupings of classes coupled to targets of interest. From a pilot study investigating the value of coupling information in test generation, we have seen that coupled classes generally have minimal impact on results. However, we found 23 cases where the inclusion of coupled classes improves test suite efficacy, with an average improvement of 120.26% in the likelihood of fault detection. Seven faults were detected only through the inclusion of coupled classes. These results offer lessons on how coupling information could improve automated test generation.