Software component integration testing: a survey

Rehman M. J., Jabeen F., Bertolino A., Polini A.

D.2.5 Testing and Debugging  D.2 Software Engineering  Software Components  Component Testing  Intagration Testing  Metadata 

Component-based development has emerged as a system engineering approach that promises rapid software development with fewer resources. Yet, improved reuse and reduced cost benefits from software components can only be achieved in practice if the components provide reliable services, which makes component analysis and testing a key activity. This paper discusses various issues that can arise at component integration phase. The crucial problem is the lack of information for analysis and testing of components externally developed, aggravated by differing perspectives of the key players in component based software development. Several component integration testing techniques have been recently proposed to provide a solution for those issues. These techniques are here surveyed and classified according to a proposed set of relevant attributes. The paper thus provides a useful and comprehensive overview as a starting point for investigation in the field.

Source: ISTI Technical reports, 2005