Predicting Dependability by Testing

In assessing the quality of software, we would like to make engineering judgements similar to those based on statistical quality control. Ideally, we want to support statements like: \The con dence that this program's result at X is correct is p," where X is a particular vector of inputs, and p is a probability obtained from measurements of the software (perhaps involving X). For the theory to be useful, it must be feasible to predict values of p near 1 for many programs, for most values of X. Manuel Blum's theory of self-checking/correcting programs has exactly the right character, but it applies to only a few unusual problems. Conventional softwarereliability theory is widely applicable, but it yields only con dence in a failure intensity, and the measurements required to support a correctness-like failure intensity (say 10 9/demand) are infeasible. Je Voas's sensitivity theory remedies these problems of reliability theory, but his model is too simple to be very ...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 1996
• Where: ISSTA
• Authors: Richard G. Hamlet
• Keywords: Blum's Theory, Failure Intensity, ISSTA 1996, Manuel Blum Theory, Software Engineering