Integrating testing techniques through process programming

Integration of multiple testing techniques is required to demonstrate high quality of software. Technique integration has three basic goals: incremental testing capabilities, extensive error detection, and cost-effective application. We are experimenting with the use of process programming as a mechanism of integrating testing techniques. Having set out to integrate DATA FLOW testing and RELAY, we proposed synergistic use of these techniques to achieve all three goals. We developed a testing process program much as we would develop a software product from requirements through design to implementation and evaluation. We found process programming to be effective for explicitly integrating the techniques and achieving the desired synergism. Used in this way, process programming also mitigates many of the other problems that plague testing in the software development process

DAVE -- A Validation, Error Detection and Documentation System for Fortran Programs ; CU-CS-071-75

This paper describes DAVE, a system for analyzing Fortran programs. DAVE is capable of detecting the symptoms of a wide variety of errors in programs, as well as assuring the absence of these errors. In addition, DAVE exposes and documents subtle data relations and flows within programs. The central analytic procedure used is a depth first search. DAVE itself is written in Fortran. Its implementation at the University of Colorado and some early experience are described

Some Experience with DAVE -- A Fortran Program Analyzer ; CU-CS-088-76

This paper describes DAVE, an automatic program testing aid which performs a static analysis of Fortran programs. DAVE analyzes the data flows both within and across subprogram boundaries of Fortran programs, and is able to detect occurrences of uninitialized and dead variables in such programs. The paper shows how this capability facilitates the detection of a wide variety of errors, many of which are often quite subtle. The central analytic mechanisms in DAVE is a depth-first search procedure which enables DAVE to execute efficiently. Some experiences with DAVE are described and evaluated and some future work is projected

The Detection of Anomalous Interprocedural Data Flow ; CU-CS-090-76

In an earlier paper, the authors have defined type 1 and type 2 data flow anomalies to be, respectively, the reference to an undefined variable and the definition of a variable without subsequent reference. It is not difficult to devise search techniques to detect such anomalies when the anomalous data flow is contained in a single procedure. When the data flow crosses procedure boundaries, however, many difficulties may arise. In this paper, we carefully define the conditions under which inter-procedural anomalies occur. We also show how algorithms currently used in global program optimization can easily be adapted to yield highly efficient algorithms for the detection of such inter-procedural anomalies

Automated Input/Output Variable Classification as an Aid to Validation of FORTRAN Programs ; CU-CS-037-74

Certain types of errors in the coding of FORTRAN programs can be detected by careful analysis of the input/output usage of the variables in the program. It is easy to distinguish the value giving from the value receiving usages of variables within a statement. It is then easy to identify the input and output variables for statements and basic blocks. It is observed that a program variable must not be used as an input variable unless it has been used earlier in the program as an output variable. Conversely, once a variable has been used later in the program as an input variable, it should be expected that it will be used later in the program as an input variable. Algorithms are presented which employ depth-first searching techniques to these algorithms can also be used to determine the input and output parameters for entire subprograms. This capability extends the usefulness of these verification techniques, and can also be used in attempts to automate documentation production

Activation of mGluR5 Induces Rapid and Long-Lasting Protein Kinase D Phosphorylation in Hippocampal Neurons

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), including mGluR5, play a central role in regulating the strength and plasticity of synaptic connections in the brain. However, the signaling pathways that connect mGluRs to their downstream effectors are not yet fully understood. Here, we report that stimulation of mGluR5 in hippocampal cultures and slices results in phosphorylation of protein kinase D (PKD) at the autophosphorylation site Ser-916. This phosphorylation event occurs within 30 s of stimulation, persists for at least 24 h, and is dependent on activation of phospholipase C and protein kinase C. Our data suggest that activation of PKD may represent a novel signaling pathway linking mGluR5 to its downstream targets. These findings have important implications for the study of the molecular mechanisms underlying mGluR-dependent synaptic plasticity.Howard Hughes Medical InstituteFRAXA Research FoundationNational Institute of Mental Health (U.S.)Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (U.S.