Applications of synchronization coverage

Abstract

Coverage analysis is a useful testing technology. However, some coverage models are more acceptable to the industry than others. In the field of testing multi-threaded applications, there is a need for a coverage model that can be used to evaluate tests for concurrent completeness and to find new testing requirements. We present a new coverage model: synchronization coverage. This model is simple to understand and the action items generated by each uncovered task are clear to testers and developers. We propose that synchronization coverage could, and should, become one of the more commonly used coverage models.