Hybrid Approach for Automated Test Data Generation

Abstract

Software testing has long been thought to be a good technique to improve the software quality and reliability. Path testing is the most reliable software testing technique and the key method for improving software quality among all testing approaches. On the other hand, test data quality has a big impact on the software testing activity's ability to detect errors or defects. To solving testing problem, one must locate the entire search space for the relevant input data to encompass the different paths in the testable program. To satisfy path coverage, it is vital test to look at the accumulated test data across the thorough search area. A new approach based on ant colony optimization and negative selection algorithm (HACO-NSA) is presented in this research which overcome the flaws associated with search-based test data by generated automated test data. The optimum path testing objective is to generate appropriate test data to maximise coverage and to enhance the test data's efficacy, as a result, the test data's adequacy is validated using a path-based fitness function. In the NSA generation stage, the suggested method alters the new detectors creation using ACO. The proposed approach is evaluated for metrics such as average coverage, average generation, average time, and success rate and comparison has been done with random testing, ant colony optimization and negative selection algorithm Different benchmark programs have been used for object-oriented system. The findings show that the hybrid methodology escalates the coverage percentage and curtail test data size, reduces the redundancy in data and enhances the efficiency. The proposed approach is follows IEEE 829–2008 test documentation in entire testing process.