Optimal Test Suite Generation for Modified Condition Decision Coverage Using SAT Solving

Abstract

Boolean expressions occur frequently in descriptions of computer systems, but they tend to be complex and error-prone in complex systems. The modified condition decision coverage (MCDC) criterion in system testing is an important testing technique for Boolean expression, as its usage mandated by safety standards such as DO-178 [1] (avionics) and ISO26262 [2] (automotive). In this paper, we develop an algorithm to generate optimal MCDC test suites for Boolean expressions. Our algorithm is based on SAT solving and generates minimal MCDC test suites. Experiments on a real-world avionics system confirm that the technique can construct minimal MCDC test suites within reasonable times, and improves significantly upon prior techniques