Context-Dependent Testing of Applications for Mobile Devices

Applications propel the versatility of mobile devices. Apps enable the realization of new ideas and greatly contribute to the proliferation of mobile computing. Unfortunately, software quality of apps often is low. This at least partly can be attributed to problems with testing them. However, it is not a lack of techniques or tools that make app testing cumbersome. Rather, frequent context changes have to be dealt with. Mobile devices most notably move: network parameters such as latency and usable bandwidth change, along with data read from sensors such as GPS coordinates. Additionally, usage patterns vary. To address context changes in testing, we propose a novel concept. It is based on identifying blocks of code between which context changes are possible. It helps to greatly reduce complexity. Besides introducing our concept, we present a use case, show its application and benefits, and discuss challenges

Context-Dependent Testing of Applications for Mobile Devices

Applications propel the versatility of mobile devices. Apps enable the realization of new ideas and greatly contribute to the proliferation of mobile computing. Unfortunately, software quality of apps often is low. This at least partly can be attributed to problems with testing them. However, it is not a lack of techniques or tools that make app testing cumbersome. Rather, frequent context changes have to be dealt with. Mobile devices most notably move: network parameters such as latency and usable bandwidth change, along with data read from sensors such as GPS coordinates. Additionally, usage patterns vary. To address context changes in testing, we propose a novel concept. It is based on identifying blocks of code between which context changes are possible. It helps to greatly reduce complexity. Besides introducing our concept, we present a use case, show its application and benefits, and discuss challenges