Testing research software: A case study

Nasir U. Eisty, Danny Perez, Jeffrey C. Carver, J. David Moulton, Hai Ah Nam

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: The increasing importance of software for the conduct of various types of research raises the necessity of proper testing to ensure correctness. The unique characteristics of the research software produce challenges in the testing process that require attention. Aims: Therefore, the goal of this paper is to share the experience of implementing a testing framework using a statistical approach for a specific type of research software, i.e. non-deterministic software. Method: Using the ParSplice research software project as a case, we implemented a testing framework based on a statistical testing approach called Multinomial Test. Results: Using the new framework, we were able to test the ParSplice project and demonstrate correctness in a situation where traditional methodical testing approaches were not feasible. Conclusions: This study opens up the possibilities of using statistical testing approaches for research software that can overcome some of the inherent challenges involved in testing non-deterministic research software.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationComputational Science – ICCS 2020 - 20th International Conference, Proceedings
EditorsValeria V. Krzhizhanovskaya, Gábor Závodszky, Michael H. Lees, Peter M.A. Sloot, Peter M.A. Sloot, Peter M.A. Sloot, Jack J. Dongarra, Sérgio Brissos, João Teixeira
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages457-463
Number of pages7
ISBN (Print)9783030504359
DOIs
StatePublished - 2020
Event20th International Conference on Computational Science, ICCS 2020 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
Duration: 3 Jun 20205 Jun 2020

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
Volume12143 LNCS
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Conference

Conference20th International Conference on Computational Science, ICCS 2020
Country/TerritoryNetherlands
CityAmsterdam
Period3/06/205/06/20

Keywords

  • Research software
  • Software engineering
  • Testing

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