Automated Tool Support for Category-Partition Testing: Design Decisions, UI and Examples of Use

TL;DR

This paper presents an automated graphical tool that supports category-partition testing by simplifying the creation of test frames and cases through user-friendly interfaces and automation, demonstrated across multiple case studies.

Contribution

It introduces a novel GUI-based tool that automates key steps in category-partition testing, enhancing efficiency and usability compared to manual processes.

Findings

Automates construction of test frames and cases

Supports multiple data types and constraints

Validated with nine case studies

Abstract

Category-Partition is a functional testing technique that is based on the idea that the input domain of the system under test can be divided into sub-domains, with the assumption that inputs that belong to the same sub-domain trigger a similar behaviour and that therefore it is sufficient to select one input from each sub-domain. Category-Partition proceeds in several steps, from the identification of so-called categories and choices, possibly constrained, which are subsequently used to form test frames, i.e., combinations of choices, and eventually test cases. This paper reports on an ongoing attempt to automate as many of those steps as possible, with graphical-user interface tool support. Specifically, the user interface allows the user to specify parameters as well as so-called environment variables, further specify categories and choices with optional constraints. Choices are provided with precise specifications with operations specific to their types (e.g., Boolean, Integer, Real, String). Then, the tool automates the construction of test frames, which are combinations of choices, according to alternative selection criteria, and the identification of input values for parameters and environment variables for these test frames, thereby producing test cases. The paper illustrates the capabilities of the tool with the use of nine different case studies.