关键词: 变异测试, 等价变异体, 测试用例集充分性, 测试用例生成, 回归测试

Abstract: Mutation is a fault-based testing technique. This topic is widely researched for over 40 years. This paper summarizes previous research work into three modules: principal, optimization and application. In the principal module, this paper firstly introduces two fundamental hypotheses, secondly illustrates the traditional process of mutation analysis and gives definitions for the important concepts, lastly summarizes equivalent mutant detection techniques into static detection and dynamic detection categories. In the optimization module, this paper illustrates mutant selection optimization and mutant execution optimization. In the application module, this paper introduces three classical applications: test suite adequacy evaluation, test case generation and regression testing. Finally, this paper draws a conclusion and forecasts some potential future research work.

Key words: mutation testing, equivalent mutant, test suite adequacy, test case generation, regression testing