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Engineering in software testing: statistical testing based on a usage model applied to medical device development
P L Jones1, W T Swain, C J Trammell
1Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, MD 20857, USA. pxj@cdrh.fda.gov
Abstract:
When a population is too large for exhaustive study, as is the case for all possible uses of a software system, a statistically correct sample must be drawn as a basis for inferences about the population. A Markov chain usage model is an engineering formalism that represents the population of possible uses for which a product is to be tested. In statistical testing of software based on a Markov chain usage model, the rich body of analytical results available for Markov chains provides numerous insights that can be used in both product development and test planing. A usage model is based on specifications rather than code, so insights that result from model building can inform product decisions in the early stages of a project when the opportunity to prevent problems is the greatest. Statistical testing based on a usage model provides a sound scientific basis for quantifying the reliability of software.