Use of sequencing constraints for specification-based testing of concurrent programs

This paper presents and evaluates a specification-based methodology for testing concurrent programs. This methodology requires sequencing constraints, which specify restrictions on the allowed sequences of synchronization events. Sequencing constraints for a concurrent program can be derived from the program's formal or informal specification. Details of the proposed testing methodology based on the use of Constraints on Succeeding and Preceding Events (CSPE) are given. How to achieve coverage and detect violations of CSPE constraints for a concurrent program, according to deterministic and nondeterministic testing of this program, are described. A coverage criterion for CSPE-based testing is defined and analyzed. The results of empirical studies of CSPE-based testing for four concurrent problems are reported. These results indicate that the use of sequencing constraints for specification-based testing of concurrent programs is a promising approach.