Relevant inputs analysis and its applications

In this paper we develop a dynamic analysis, named relevant input analysis, that characterizes the role and strength of inputs in the computation of different values during a program execution. The role indicates whether a computed value is derived from an input value or its computation is simply in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Proceedings - International Symposium on Software Reliability Engineering pp. 268 - 277
Main Authors: Yan Wang, Gupta, Rajiv, Neamtiu, Iulian
Format: Conference Proceeding
Language:English
Published: IEEE 01.11.2013
Subjects:
address dependence
Algorithm design and analysis
Computer crashes
Debugging
delta debugging
Indexes
Performance analysis
Power capacitors
role of inputs
Security
strength of inputs
testing
value dependence
ISSN:1071-9458
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:In this paper we develop a dynamic analysis, named relevant input analysis, that characterizes the role and strength of inputs in the computation of different values during a program execution. The role indicates whether a computed value is derived from an input value or its computation is simply influenced by an input value. The strength indicates if role (derived or influenced) relied upon the precise value of the input or it is among one of many values that can play a similar role. While it is clear that the results of our analysis can be very useful for the programmer in understanding relationships between inputs and program behavior, we also demonstrate the usefulness of the analysis by developing an efficient delta debugging algorithm. Other applications of relevant input analysis include assisting in generating test inputs and detection of security holes.
ISSN:1071-9458
DOI:10.1109/ISSRE.2013.6698926