A Testability Analysis Framework for Non-Functional Properties

This paper presents background, the basic steps and an example for a testability analysis framework for non-functional properties

Visualizing test diversity to support test optimisation

Diversity has been used as an effective criteria to optimise test suites for cost-effective testing. Particularly, diversity-based (alternatively referred to as similarity-based) techniques have the benefit of being generic and applicable across different Systems Under Test (SUT), and have been used to automatically select or prioritise large sets of test cases. However, it is a challenge to feedback diversity information to developers and testers since results are typically many-dimensional. Furthermore, the generality of diversity-based approaches makes it harder to choose when and where to apply them. In this paper we address these challenges by investigating: i) what are the trade-off in using different sources of diversity (e.g., diversity of test requirements or test scripts) to optimise large test suites, and ii) how visualisation of test diversity data can assist testers for test optimisation and improvement. We perform a case study on three industrial projects and present quantitative results on the fault detection capabilities and redundancy levels of different sets of test cases. Our key result is that test similarity maps, based on pair-wise diversity calculations, helped industrial practitioners identify issues with their test repositories and decide on actions to improve. We conclude that the visualisation of diversity information can assist testers in their maintenance and optimisation activities

Evolution of statistical analysis in empirical software engineering research: Current state and steps forward

Software engineering research is evolving and papers are increasingly based on empirical data from a multitude of sources, using statistical tests to determine if and to what degree empirical evidence supports their hypotheses. To investigate the practices and trends of statistical analysis in empirical software engineering (ESE), this paper presents a review of a large pool of papers from top-ranked software engineering journals. First, we manually reviewed 161 papers and in the second phase of our method, we conducted a more extensive semi-automatic classification of papers spanning the years 2001--2015 and 5,196 papers. Results from both review steps was used to: i) identify and analyze the predominant practices in ESE (e.g., using t-test or ANOVA), as well as relevant trends in usage of specific statistical methods (e.g., nonparametric tests and effect size measures) and, ii) develop a conceptual model for a statistical analysis workflow with suggestions on how to apply different statistical methods as well as guidelines to avoid pitfalls. Lastly, we confirm existing claims that current ESE practices lack a standard to report practical significance of results. We illustrate how practical significance can be discussed in terms of both the statistical analysis and in the practitioner's context.Comment: journal submission, 34 pages, 8 figure

Boundary Value Exploration for Software Analysis

For software to be reliable and resilient, it is widely accepted that tests must be created and maintained alongside the software itself. One safeguard from vulnerabilities and failures in code is to ensure correct behavior on the boundaries between sub-domains of the input space. So-called boundary value analysis (BVA) and boundary value testing (BVT) techniques aim to exercise those boundaries and increase test effectiveness. However, the concepts of BVA and BVT themselves are not clearly defined and it is not clear how to identify relevant sub-domains, and thus the boundaries delineating them, given a specification. This has limited adoption and hindered automation. We clarify BVA and BVT and introduce Boundary Value Exploration (BVE) to describe techniques that support them by helping to detect and identify boundary inputs. Additionally, we propose two concrete BVE techniques based on information-theoretic distance functions: (i) an algorithm for boundary detection and (ii) the usage of software visualization to explore the behavior of the software under test and identify its boundary behavior. As an initial evaluation, we apply these techniques on a much used and well-tested date handling library. Our results reveal questionable behavior at boundaries highlighted by our techniques. In conclusion, we argue that the boundary value exploration that our techniques enable is a step towards automated boundary value analysis and testing which can foster their wider use and improve test effectiveness and efficiency

Investigation of similarity-based test case selection for specification-based regression testing.

uring software maintenance, several modifications can be performed in a specification model in order to satisfy new requirements. Perform regression testing on modified software is known to be a costly and laborious task. Test case selection, test case prioritization, test suite minimisation,among other methods,aim to reduce these costs by selecting or prioritizing a subset of test cases so that less time, effort and thus money are involved in performing regression testing. In this doctorate research, we explore the general problem of automatically selecting test cases in a model-based testing (MBT) process where specification models were modified. Our technique, named Similarity Approach for Regression Testing (SART), selects subset of test cases traversing modified regions of a software system’s specification model. That strategy relies on similarity-based test case selection where similarities between test cases from different software versions are analysed to identify modified elements in a model. In addition, we propose an evaluation approach named Search Based Model Generation for Technology Evaluation (SBMTE) that is based on stochastic model generation and search-based techniques to generate large samples of realistic models to allow experiments with model-based techniques. Based on SBMTE,researchers are able to develop model generator tools to create a space of models based on statistics from real industrial models, and eventually generate samples from that space in order to perform experiments. Here we developed a generator to create instances of Annotated Labelled Transitions Systems (ALTS), to be used as input for our MBT process and then perform an experiment with SART.In this experiment, we were able to conclude that SART’s percentage of test suite size reduction is robust and able to select a sub set with an average of 92% less test cases, while ensuring coverage of all model modification and revealing defects linked to model modifications. Both SART and our experiment are executable through the LTS-BT tool, enabling researchers to use our selections trategy andr eproduce our experiment.During software maintenance, several modifications can be performed in a specification model in order to satisfy new requirements. Perform regression testing on modified software is known to be a costly and laborious task. Test case selection, test case prioritization, test suite minimisation,among other methods,aim to reduce these costs by selecting or prioritizing a subset of test cases so that less time, effort and thus money are involved in performing regression testing. In this doctorate research, we explore the general problem of automatically selecting test cases in a model-based testing (MBT) process where specification models were modified. Our technique, named Similarity Approach for Regression Testing (SART), selects subset of test cases traversing modified regions of a software system’s specification model. That strategy relies on similarity-based test case selection where similarities between test cases from different software versions are analysed to identify modified elements in a model. In addition, we propose an evaluation approach named Search Based Model Generation for Technology Evaluation (SBMTE) that is based on stochastic model generation and search-based techniques to generate large samples of realistic models to allow experiments with model-based techniques. Based on SBMTE,researchers are able to develop model generator tools to create a space of models based on statistics from real industrial models, and eventually generate samples from that space in order to perform experiments. Here we developed a generator to create instances of Annotated Labelled Transitions Systems (ALTS), to be used as input for our MBT process and then perform an experiment with SART.In this experiment, we were able to conclude that SART’s percentage of test suite size reduction is robust and able to select a sub set with an average of 92% less test cases, while ensuring coverage of all model modification and revealing defects linked to model modifications. Both SART and our experiment are executable through the LTS-BT tool, enabling researchers to use our selections trategy andr eproduce our experiment

Análise das relações sociais e econômicas no comércio atacadista de pescado fresco no mercado do Ver-o-Peso, em Belém-Pará

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Agronegócios, 2014.O Mercado do Ver-o-Peso em Belém do Pará é um dos principais pontos de desembarque e comercialização de pescado do Brasil. Por ele desembarcam 35 mil toneladas de pescado por ano para o abastecimento da Região Metropolitana de Belém e o envolvimento de centenas de agentes, dentre os quais se destacam os balanceiros, agentes comissionados que comercializam a produção dos pescadores no local. Há tempos idealizada e agora em execução, a construção do Terminal Pesqueiro Público de Belém, financiada pelo Ministério da Pesca e Aquicultura representa um risco ao modelo de comercialização e distribuição de pescado atual, construído socialmente ao longo de três séculos. O presente trabalho tem o intuito de demonstrar, através dos pressupostos da Sociologia Econômica, a importância dos balanceiros no processo de comercialização e distribuição do pescado no Ver-o-Peso. Como metodologia utilizada para coleta de dados foram realizadas revisões bibliográficas e documentais, entrevistas semiestruturas, observação diretas e registros áudio visuais. A análise de conteúdo foi feita a partir da tabulação e classificação dos dados de acordo com os pressupostos da Sociologia Econômica. Os resultados apresentados demonstram a importância do balanceiro como coordenador logístico das transações comerciais realizadas no comércio atacadista de pescado fresco na Pedra do Ver-o-Peso. Que este trabalho permita um olhar diferenciado aos acadêmicos do setor através de uma perspectiva baseada nas motivações individuais e coletivas, nas relações estabelecidas entre os agentes e na construção social dos mercados, contexto que extrapola o pressuposto econômico da oferta e demanda, onde a palavra-chave é a IMERSÃO SOCIAL.The “Ver-o-Peso” Market, freely translated as “check-the-weight” market, is one of the main fish landing and commercialization sites in Brazil. Thirty five tons of fish land yearly on the market with the involvement of several groups of individuals, among which the “balanceiros,” local conditioned agents that commercialize the local catch, deserve special highlight. The eminent conclusion of the construction of the Public Fishing Port of Belem represents a risk to current fish the commercialization model, socially built thought three centuries. The present research pretends demonstrate, though Economical Sociology assumptions, the importance of the “balanceiros” in the fish commercialization model installed in the “Ver-o-Peso” Market. The adopted methodology included bibliographic research, documental research, semi structured interviews, direct observation audio registration and video registration. The analysis of the collected information was conducted through tabulation and ranking according to the assumptions of the Economical Sociology. The results demonstrate the importance of the “balanceiro” as the logistical commerce coordinator of the transactions realized in the wholesale market of fresh fish on the “pedra,” commercialization open slots on the “Ver-o-Peso” Market. This study offers sector researchers a differentiated perspective based on individual and collective motivations of the individuals involved in the established and developing local markets, in a perspective that extrapolates the economical assumptions of supply and demand, in a perspective that the keyword are social immersion or embeddeness

Identify and Discriminate: Notes about Fortaleza’s Criminal Policy in the Early Decades of the 20th Century

Este artigo tem por objetivo analisar a política criminal e seus fundamentos em Fortaleza no início do século XX, evidenciando como as doutrinas criminais lombrosianas fomentaram discursos que associavam o crime à miséria e ao vício, bem como a discussão de mecanismos de vigilância e controle visando reordenar o espaço urbano e social. Nesse sentido, pretende-se analisar como a política criminal foi se constituindo a partir da apropriação de ideias da criminologia moderna, elaboradas pela elite intelectual e política, além de evidenciar a relação que o Estado manteve com o contingente pobre da população, tratado como “classes perigosas”.This paper aims to analyze the criminal policy and its foundations in Fortaleza at the beginning of the 20th century, highlighting how the Lombrosian criminal doctrines fostered discourses that associated crime with misery and vice, as well as the discussion of surveillance and social control mechanisms aimed at reordering the urban and social space. In this sense, we intend to analyze how the criminal policy was constituted from the appropriation of ideas from the modern criminology, developed by the intellectual and political elite, in addition to highlighting the relationship that the state maintained with the poor contingent of the population, treated as “dangerous classes”.

A legislação ambiental do município de Araguaína: para quem?

O objetivo desse estudo é analisar a Lei nº 1.659/96, que institui a política ambiental no município de Araguaína, Tocantins, buscando compreender o funcionamento de alguns discursos materializados no texto da referida lei. Utilizando como suporte a Análise de Discurso francesa, percebe-se que, para a Lei, os responsáveis pela degradação e pela preservação ambiental são aqueles que mantêm relações com o sistema municipal de educação, com os meios de comunicação e as entidades e associações ambientalistas, isentando-se os demais grupos do ônus. Ao definir a composição do Conselho administrativo com representações governamentais e de algumas categorias profissionais, a Lei determina quem de fato se apropriará do discurso ambientalista e assegura os interesses dos grupos dominantes.The aim of this study is to analyze Law no. 1659/96 on the establishment of environmental policy in the municipality of Araguaina, Tocantins, trying to understand the functioning of some speeches materialized in the text of the law. Using as support for French Discourse Analysis, we see that for the law, the responsible for the degradation and environmental preservation are those who maintain relations with the municipal education, with the media and the authorities and environmental associations, freeing up the other groups of the burden. By defining the composition of the administrative offices of government and some professions, the law determines who actually will appropriate environmental discourse and ensures the interests of dominant groups

Accuracy of ITK-SNAP software for 3D analysis of a non-regular topography structure

To evaluate the accuracy of ITK-SNAP software for measuring volumes of a non-regular shape structure, using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans, besides for developing a mathematical model to correct the software measurement error in case it existed. A phantom made by moulding a rubber duck’s head was filled with total (38,000 mm3) and partial volumes of water (7000 mm3, 14,000 mm3, 21,000 mm3, 28,000 mm3 and 35,000 mm3), which constituted the gold standards. The sound phantom and the phantom filled with different volumes of water were scanned in a Picasso Trio CBCT unit set at 80 kVp, 3.7 mA, 0.2 mm3 voxel and 12 × 8.5 cm field of view. Semi-automatic segmentation was performed with ITK-SNAP 3.0 software by two trained oral radiologists. Linear regression analyzed the relation between ITK-SNAP calculated volumes and the gold standard. Intraclass correlation coefficient was applied to analyze the reproducibility of the method. Significance level was set at 5%. Linear regression analysis showed a significant relationship between ITK-SNAP volumes and the gold standard (F = 22,537.3, p < 0.0001), with an R2 of 0.9993. The average error found was 4.7 (± 4.3) %. To minimize this error, a mathematical model was developed and provided a reduction of it. ICC revealed excellent intra-examiner agreements for both examiners 1 (ICC = 0.9991, p < 0.0001) and 2 (ICC = 0.9989, p < 0.0001). Likewise, inter-examiner agreement was excellent (ICC = 0.9991, p < 0.0001). The software showed to be accurate for evaluating non-regular shape structures. The mathematical model developed reduced an already small error on the software’s measurements36183189COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPES00

TRANSDISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVES IN PANDEMIC TIMES: Remote education in response to the teaching crisis

The collapse caused by the coronavirus pandemic has provoked improvised responses that range from nonsense to ingenious in colleges, schools and universities that struggle to continue teaching. This article aims to present an analysis of the challenges faced by educational institutions and stakeholders at this time of pandemic, in the struggle to seek educational goals appropriate to the circumstances of crisis, through online education that was not so highly valued. For the development of the research, books, articles and websites about remote education in response to the crisis, in times of coronavirus, were used as a source, thus composing the theoretical framework. Through reading and analyzing the works, the studies were later synthesized and interpreted. Online education, despite being an alternative for the continuity of the teaching and learning process, will continue to be important in connection with face-to-face teaching even after the pandemic. However, it generates another and new challenge that will consist in the evaluation and management of learning results. &nbsp;El colapso provocado por la pandemia del coronavirus ha provocado respuestas improvisadas que van desde el disparate hasta el ingenio en colegios, escuelas y universidades que luchan por seguir enseñando. Este artículo tiene como objetivo presentar un análisis de los desafíos que enfrentan las instituciones educativas y los actores en este momento de pandemia, en la lucha por buscar metas educativas adecuadas a las circunstancias de crisis, a través de una educación en línea que no fue tan valorada. Para el desarrollo de la investigación se utilizaron como fuente libros, artículos y sitios web sobre educación a distancia en respuesta a la crisis, en tiempos de coronavirus, componiendo así el marco teórico. A través de la lectura y el análisis de las obras, los estudios fueron posteriormente sintetizados e interpretados. La educación en línea, a pesar de ser una alternativa para la continuidad del proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje, seguirá siendo importante en relación con la enseñanza presencial incluso después de la pandemia. Sin embargo, genera otro y nuevo desafío que consistirá en la evaluación y gestión de los resultados del aprendizaje.O colapso causado pela pandemia do coronavírus tem provocado respostas improvisadas que vão do contrassenso ao engenhoso nos colégios, escolas e universidades que lutam para continuar ensinando. Este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar uma análise dos desafios enfrentados pelas instituições de ensino e intervenientes neste momento de pandemia, na luta para buscar metas educacionais adequadas às circunstâncias de crise, através do ensino online outrora não tão valorizado. Para o desenvolvimento da pesquisa foi utilizado como fonte livros, artigos e sites sobre o ensino remoto em resposta à crise, em tempos de coronavírus, compondo assim o referencial teórico. Através de leitura e análise das obras, posteriormente foi feita a síntese e interpretação dos estudos. O ensino online apesar de ser alternativa para a continuidade do processo de ensino e aprendizagem continuará a ser importante em conexão com o ensino presencial mesmo depois da pandemia. Porém, gera outro e novo desafio que consistirá na avaliação e gerenciamento dos resultados de aprendizagem. &nbsp