A framework and tool supports for generating test inputs of AspectJ programs

Aspect-oriented software development is gaining popularity with the wider adoption of languages such as AspectJ. To reduce the manual effort of testing aspects in AspectJ programs, we have developed a framework, called Aspectra, that automates generation of test inputs for testing aspectual behavior, i.e., the behavior implemented in pieces of advice or intertype methods defined in aspects. To test aspects, developers construct base classes into which the aspects are woven to form woven classes. Our approach leverages existing test-generation tools to generate test inputs for the woven classes; these test inputs indirectly exercise the aspects. To enable aspects to be exercised during test generation, Aspectra automatically synthesizes appropriate wrapper classes for woven classes. To assess the quality of the generated tests, Aspectra defines and measures aspectual branch coverage (branch coverage within aspects). To provide guidance for developers to improve test coverage, Aspectr...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2006
• Where: AOSD
• Authors: Tao Xie, Jianjun Zhao
• Keywords: AOSD 2006, Aspectual Branch Coverage, Software Engineering, Test Inputs, Woven Classes