Comparing and combining software defect detection techniques

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Abstract
This report describes an empirical study comparing three defect detection techniques: a) code reading by stepwise abstraction, b) functional testing using equivalence partitioning and boundary value analysis, and c) structural testing using branch coverage. It is a replica- tion of a study that has been carried out at least four times previously over the last 20 years. This study used 47 student subjects to apply the techniques to small C programs in a fractional factorial experimental design. The major findings of the study are: a) that the individual tech- niques are of broadly similar effectiveness in terms of observing failures and finding faults, b) that the relative effectiveness of the techniques de- pends on the nature of the program and its faults, c) these techniques are consistently much more effective when used in combination with each other. These results contribute to a growing body of empirical evidence that supports generally held beliefs about the effectiveness of defect de- tection techniques in software engineering.

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