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Testing stochastic software using Pseudo-oracles

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Conference Object

Change log

Authors

Patrick, M 
Craig, AP 
Cunniffe, NJ 
Parry, M 
Gilligan, CA 

Abstract

Stochastic models can be difficult to test due to their complexity and randomness, yet their predictions are often used to make important decisions, so they need to be correct. We introduce a new search-based technique for testing implementations of stochastic models by maximising the differences between the implementation and a pseudo-oracle. Our technique reduces testing effort and enables discrepancies to be found that might otherwise be overlooked. We show the technique can identify differences challenging for humans to observe, and use it to help a new user understand implementation differences in a real model of a citrus disease (Huanglongbing) used to inform policy and research.

Description

Keywords

computational models, testing, search-based optimisation

Journal Title

ISSTA 2016 - Proceedings of the 25th International Symposium on Software Testing and Analysis

Conference Name

ISSTA '16: International Symposium on Software Testing and Analysis

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

ACM
Sponsorship
Wellcome Trust