Abstract

We present a method for generating test cases that can be used throughout the entire life cycle of a program. This method uses attributed translation grammars to generate both inputs and outputs, which can then be used either as is, in order to test the specifications, or in conjunction with automatic test drivers to test an implementation against the specifications. The grammar can generate test cases either randomly or systematically. The attributes are used to guide the generation process, thereby avoiding the generation of many superfluous test cases. The grammar itself not only drives the generation of test cases but also serves as a concise documentation of the test plan. In the paper, we describe the test case generator, show how it works in typical examples, compare it with related techniques, and discuss how it can be used in conjunction with various testing heuristics.