Method and apparatus for software testing using a differential testing technique to test compilers
US5754860A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 23, 1996 |
| Grant date | May 19, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 23, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F11/3684
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Techniques used in testing software are described. A test generator produces a source program used to test two or more compilers using a differential testing technique. The test generator includes a grammar with added semantic constraints to minimize the generation of non-conforming source programs. The source program is a conforming source program conforming to constraints included in a programming language standard. By using properties of a conforming source code, a differential testing technique is described in which a test failure indicates that one or more of the compilers is not processing the source program correctly in accordance with the programming language standard. If a test failure is detected, the source program causing the test failure is reduced using various reduction and simplification techniques.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.