GMU Software Engineering Seminar Series

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Date: Thursday, 06/12/2008

Time: 1:00 – 2:00 PM

Location: 430A ST2

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Title: Logic Mutation Testing of Software Programs

Speaker: Gary Kaminski

Abstract: Mutation testing is a software testing technique in which variations (mutants) of a program are systematically created and inputs are found to distinguish the original program from the variants. Unfortunately, current mutation tools generate excess logic mutants and do not detect certain classes of logic faults. Using a logic fault hierarchy and effective logic mutation operators not present in current tools, the number of mutants generated can be reduced while detecting more faults. A case study examining avionics software shows that the number of logic mutants generated can be cut in half while detecting nearly twice the number of faults in comparison to current mutation tools.

Bio: Gary Kaminski is a PhD student in Information Technology with a concentration in Software Engineering. He obtained a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Virginia and a M.S. in Information Systems from George Mason University. His research interests include mutation testing, software logic coverage criteria, and model checking. Gary has worked as a software engineer for over 10 years with Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, and CACI.