Finding Failure Causes through Automated Testing

TL;DR

This paper introduces the delta debugging algorithm, an automated method for systematically identifying the specific causes of program failures, including input, code changes, or executed statements.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel automated debugging algorithm that efficiently isolates failure causes, improving fault localization in software testing.

Findings

Delta debugging effectively isolates failure-inducing circumstances.

Automated testing reduces debugging time.

Applicable to various failure scenarios.

Abstract

A program fails. Under which circumstances does this failure occur? One single algorithm, the delta debugging algorithm, suffices to determine these failure-inducing circumstances. Delta debugging tests a program systematically and automatically to isolate failure-inducing circumstances such as the program input, changes to the program code, or executed statements.