A State-Based Testing Approach for Aspect-Oriented Programming

Abstract

In recent years, Aspect Oriented Programming (AOP) has become an emerging technology due to its ability of supporting separation of concerns. In particular, AOP allows application requirements to be implemented in separated modules while weaving them together without code tangling. However, this feature also raises a concern about the quality and reliability of AOP programs. In this paper, we propose a state-based testing approach for AOP programs. The approach considers the state behavior changes introduced by multiple aspects. A state-based test model is presented to abstract the behavior caused by various weaving sequences of aspects. Based on the model, test cases can be derived so as to uncover the state behavior errors of AOP programs.