A novel use of equivalent mutants for static anomaly detection in software artifacts

Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00216208%3A11320%2F17%3A10331993" target="_blank" >RIV/00216208:11320/17:10331993 - isvavai.cz</a>
Result on the web
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.infsof.2016.01.019" target="_blank" >http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.infsof.2016.01.019</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.infsof.2016.01.019" target="_blank" >10.1016/j.infsof.2016.01.019</a>

Result language
angličtina
Original language name
A novel use of equivalent mutants for static anomaly detection in software artifacts
Original language description
Context: In mutation analysis, a mutant of a software artifact, either a program or a model, is said equivalent if it leaves the artifact meaning unchanged. Equivalent mutants are usually seen as an inconvenience and they reduce the applicability of mutation analysis. Objective: Instead, we here claim that equivalent mutants can be useful to define, detect, and remove static anomalies, i.e., deficiencies of given qualities: If an equivalent mutant has a better quality value than the original artifact, then an anomaly has been found and removed. Method: We present a process for detecting static anomalies based on mutation, equivalence checking, and quality measurement. Results: Our proposal and the originating technique are applicable to different kinds of software artifacts. We present anomalies and conduct several experiments in different contexts, at specification, design, and implementation level. Conclusion: We claim that in mutation analysis a new research direction should be followed, in which equivalent mutants and operators generating them are welcome.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Type
J<sub>imp</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database
CEP classification
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OECD FORD branch
10201 - Computer sciences, information science, bioinformathics (hardware development to be 2.2, social aspect to be 5.8)

Project
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Continuities
I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year
2017
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

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