On program testing issues in software reliability-A survey

Abstract

On account of various difficulties encountered with establishing the proof of correctness for software systems; the program testing seems to be the only sure way to prevent malfunctions from occurrence and thus to improve the software reliability. Whereas program proving is a reductive process; program testing is an affirmative process since everything done in testing can potentially contribute information about the quality of program being tested. Testing is the process of executing programs with representative input data or conditions, for which the correct results are known to determine whether incorrect results occur. This paper makes an attempt to provide a cross-section of current program testing technology-ranging from philosophical issues to research and development concepts to the extent that the known literature permits. © 1980.