Using Genetic Algorithm as Test Data Generator for Stored PL/SQL Program Units

Mohammad A. Alshraideh, Basel A. Mahafzah, Hamzeh S. Eyal Salman, Imad Salah

The Department of Computer Science, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.

DOI: 10.4236/jsea.2013.62011                

Abstract

PL/SQL is the most common language for ORACLE database application. It allows the developer to create stored program units (Procedures, Functions, and Packages) to improve software reusability and hide the complexity of the execution of a specific operation behind a name. Also, it acts as an interface between SQL database and DEVELOPER. Therefore, it is important to test these modules that consist of procedures and functions. In this paper, a new genetic algorithm (GA), as search technique, is used in order to find the required test data according to branch criteria to test stored PL/SQL program units. The experimental results show that this was not fully achieved, such that the test target in some branches is not reached and the coverage percentage is 98%. A problem rises when target branch is depending on data retrieved from tables; in this case, GA is not able to generate test cases for this branch.

Keywords

Genetic Algorithms; SQL Stored Program Units; Test Data; Structural Testing; SQL Exceptions

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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