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Investigation of similarity-based test case selection for specification-based regression testing.OLIVEIRA NETO, Francisco Gomes de. 10 April 2018 (has links)
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Previous issue date: 2014-07-30 / uring software maintenance, several modifications can be performed in a specification
model in order to satisfy new requirements. Perform regression testing on modified software is known to be a costly and laborious task. Test case selection, test case prioritization, test suite minimisation,among other methods,aim to reduce these costs by selecting or prioritizing a subset of test cases so that less time, effort and thus money are involved in performing regression testing. In this doctorate research, we explore the general problem of automatically selecting test cases in a model-based testing (MBT) process where specification models were modified. Our technique, named Similarity Approach for Regression Testing (SART), selects subset of test cases traversing modified regions of a software system’s specification model. That strategy relies on similarity-based test case selection where similarities between test cases from different software versions are analysed to identify modified elements in a model. In addition, we propose an evaluation approach named Search Based Model Generation for Technology Evaluation (SBMTE) that is based on stochastic model generation and search-based techniques to generate large samples of realistic models to allow experiments with model-based techniques. Based on SBMTE,researchers are able to develop model generator
tools to create a space of models based on statistics from real industrial models, and
eventually generate samples from that space in order to perform experiments. Here we developed a generator to create instances of Annotated Labelled Transitions Systems (ALTS), to be used as input for our MBT process and then perform an experiment with SART.In this experiment, we were able to conclude that SART’s percentage of test suite size reduction is robust and able to select a sub set with an average of 92% less test cases, while ensuring coverage of all model modification and revealing defects linked to model modifications. Both SART and our experiment are executable through the LTS-BT tool, enabling researchers to use our selections trategy andr eproduce our experiment. / During software maintenance, several modifications can be performed in a specification model in order to satisfy new requirements. Perform regression testing on modified software is known to be a costly and laborious task. Test case selection, test case prioritization, test suite minimisation,among other methods,aim to reduce these costs by selecting or prioritizing a subset of test cases so that less time, effort and thus money are involved in performing regression testing. In this doctorate research, we explore the general problem of automatically selecting test cases in a model-based testing (MBT) process where specification models were modified. Our technique, named Similarity Approach for Regression Testing (SART), selects subset of test cases traversing modified regions of a software system’s specification model. That strategy relies on similarity-based test case selection where similarities between test cases from different software versions are analysed to identify modified elements in a model. In addition, we propose an evaluation approach named Search Based Model Generation for Technology Evaluation (SBMTE) that is based on stochastic model generation and search-based techniques to generate large samples of realistic models to allow experiments with model-based techniques. Based on SBMTE,researchers are able to develop model generator
tools to create a space of models based on statistics from real industrial models, and
eventually generate samples from that space in order to perform experiments. Here we developed a generator to create instances of Annotated Labelled Transitions Systems (ALTS), to be used as input for our MBT process and then perform an experiment with SART.In this experiment, we were able to conclude that SART’s percentage of test suite size reduction is robust and able to select a sub set with an average of 92% less test cases, while ensuring coverage of all model modification and revealing defects linked to model modifications. Both SART and our experiment are executable through the LTS-BT tool, enabling researchers to use our selections trategy andr eproduce our experiment.
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Gera??o de casos de teste a partir de especifica??es BSouza, Fernanda Monteiro de 29 March 2010 (has links)
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Previous issue date: 2010-03-29 / With the increasing complexity of software systems, there is also an increased concern about its faults. These faults can cause financial losses and even loss of life. Therefore, we propose in this paper the minimization of faults in software by using formally specified tests. The combination of testing and formal specifications is gaining strength in searches mainly through the MBT (Model-Based Testing). The development of software from formal specifications, when the whole process of refinement is done rigorously, ensures that what is specified in the application will be implemented. Thus, the implementation
generated from these specifications would accurately depict what was specified. But not always the specification is refined to the level of implementation and code generation, and in these cases the tests generated from the specification tend to find fault. Additionally, the generation of so-called "invalid tests", ie tests that exercise the application scenarios that were not addressed in the specification, complements more
significantly the formal development process. Therefore, this paper proposes a method for generating tests from B formal specifications. This method was structured in pseudo-code. The method is based on the systematization of the techniques of black box testing of boundary value analysis, equivalence partitioning, as well as the technique of orthogonal pairs. The method was applied to a B specification and B test machines that generate test cases independent of implementation
language were generated. Aiming to validate the method, test cases were transformed manually in JUnit test cases and the application, created from the B specification and developed in Java, was tested. Faults were found with the execution of the JUnit test cases / Com o crescente aumento da complexidade dos sistemas de software, h? tamb?m um aumento na preocupa??o com suas falhas. Essas falhas podem causar preju?zos financeiros e at? preju?zos de vida. Sendo assim, propomos neste trabalho a minimiza??o de falhas atrav?s de testes em softwares
especificados formalmente. A conjun??o de testes e especifica??es formais vem ganhando for?a na academia principalmente atrav?s dos TBM (Testes Baseados em Modelos).
O desenvolvimento de software a partir de especifica??es formais, quando todo o processo de refinamento ? feito rigorosamente, garante que o que est? especificado ser? implementado na aplica??o. Sendo assim, a implementa??o gerada a partir destas especifica??es iria retratar fielmente o que estaria especificado. Mas nem sempre a especifica??o ? refinada at? o n?vel de implementa??o e gera??o de c?digo, e nesses casos os testes gerados a partir da especifica??o tendem a encontrar falhas. Adicionalmente, a gera??o dos chamados testes inv?lidos , ou seja, testes que exercitem cen?rios da aplica??o que n?o foram tratados na especifica??o, complementa mais significativamente o processo de desenvolvimento formal. Sendo assim, neste trabalho ? proposto um m?todo para gera??o de testes a partir de especifica??es formais B. Este m?todo foi estruturado em pseudo-c?digo. O m?todo se baseia na sistematiza??o das
t?cnicas de testes caixa preta da an?lise do valor limite, particionamento de equival?ncia, bem como da t?cnica dos pares ortogonais. O m?todo foi aplicado em uma especifica??o B e foram geradas m?quinas B de teste que geram casos de teste independentes de linguagem de implementa??o. Com o intuito de
valida??o do m?todo, os casos de teste foram transformados manualmente em casos de teste do JUnit e a aplica??o, criada a partir da especifica??o B, e desenvolvida em Java foi testada. Foram encontradas falhas com a execu??o dos casos de teste JUnit
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Similarity-based test suite reduction in the context of Model-Based Testing. / Sililaridade baseada em redução de suítes de teste no contexto do teste baseado em modelos.COUTINHO, Ana Emília Victor Barbosa . 04 May 2018 (has links)
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Previous issue date: 2015-03-20 / Capes
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Subsídios para a aplicação de métodos de geração de casos de testes baseados em máquinas de estados / Subsidies for the application of state machine based test case generation methodsArineiza Cristina Pinheiro 22 June 2012 (has links)
A realização de atividades de teste é indispensável para a garantia da qualidade de um produto e para a identificação de defeitos, diminuindo custos de manutenção e evitando ao máximo o risco do cliente encontrar esses defeitos. Nessa linha, testes baseados em modelos têm se mostrado atrativos, pois o custo de geração de casos de testes e de correção de defeitos tende a ser menor. Devido à sua simplicidade conceitual e expressividade na descrição do comportamento de um sistema, um dos modelos mais usados e pesquisados na área de teste baseado em modelos são as Máquinas de Estados Finitos (MEFs). Por meio de MEFs e com apoio de ferramentas apropriadas, a geração de casos de testes para avaliar os comportamentos esperados de um sistema é automatizada, reduzindo tanto o custo da geração e da manutenção quanto as falhas humanas. Desta forma, a aplicabilidade de métodos de geração de casos de teste baseados em modelos no contexto de sistemas embarcados vem sendo investigada. O objetivo deste trabalho de mestrado consiste em investigar a aplicabilidade dos métodos de geração em cenários de teste reais, com foco em sistemas embarcados, identificando as difi- culdades e limitações do processo, bem como os requisitos essenciais para a adequação dos métodos de geração propostos na literatura e de ferramentas de apoio à atividade de teste. O foco principal do projeto é a implementação de mecanismos que atendam aos requisitos levantados, visando a usabilidade, segurança e portabilidade da ferramenta / Test activities are essential to ensure the quality of products and identify faults to reduce maintenance costs and avoid that the client finds these faults. In this sense, model-based tests have been proved useful, because the cost of generating test cases and fault correction tend to be smaller. Due to its conceptual simplicity and expressiveness in describing the behavior of a system, Finite State Machines (FSM) have been used and researched in the model-based testing area. FSMs, employed with the support of appropriate tools, enable the generation of test cases in an automated way to assess the expected behavior of a system, reducing both the generation and maintenance costs and human failures. Thus, the applicability of test cases generation methods based on models in the context of embedded systems should be investigated. Test cases generation methods based on FSM are designed to derive test cases from the model. In this context, this work aims to investigate the applicability of generation methods in real-world scenarios, focusing embedded systems. It should identify the difficulties and limitations of the process, as well as the essential requirements for the adequacy of generation methods proposed in the literature and tools to support the test activity. The main focus of the project is the implementation of mechanisms that meet the elicited requirements in order to provide usability, security and tool portability
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Avaliação de custo e eficácia de métodos e critérios de teste baseado em Máquinas de Estados Finitos / Evaluate of cost and effectiveness of FSM based testing methods and criteriaFlávio Dusse 16 December 2009 (has links)
MÉTODOS de geração de casos de teste visam a gerar um conjunto de casos de teste com uma boa relação custo/benefício. Critérios de cobertura de teste definem requisitos de teste, os quais um conjunto de teste adequado deve cobrir. Métodos e critérios visam a selecionar casos de teste baseados em especificações, que podem ser descritas por meio de modelos, tais como Máquinas de Estados Finitos (MEF). Existem diversos métodos de geração e critérios de cobertura, diferindo entre si em função das propriedades exigidas da MEF, do custo dos testes gerados e da eficácia na revelação de defeitos. Apesar de pesquisas intensas na definição desses métodos e critérios, são poucas as ferramentas de apoio disponíveis assim como são poucos os relatos de aplicação em termos de custo e eficácia para a definição de estratégias de teste efetivas. Dessa forma, é necessário obter dados reais das vantagens e desvantagens dos métodos e critérios para subsidiar a tomada de decisão no processo de desenvolvimento de software no que tange às atividades de teste e validação. Este trabalho apresenta resultados de experimentos para avaliar o custo e a eficácia de aplicação dos métodos e critérios mais relevantes para subsidiar a definição de estratégias de teste em diversos contextos, como por exemplo, no desenvolvimento de protocolos e de sistemas reativos. Utiliza-se um protótipo desenvolvido a partir de uma reengenharia da ferramenta Plavis/FSM para apoiar os experimentos / TEST case generation methods aim to generate a test suite that offers an acceptable trade-off between cost and avail. Test coverage criteria define testing requirements, which an adequate test suite must fulfill. Methods and criteria help to select test case from specifications, which can be describe as models, for example Finite State Machines (FSM). There are several generation methods and coverage criteria that differ depending on the required properties of the FSM, the cost of generated tests and the effectiveness in revealing faults. In spite of intense researches in the definition of those methods and criteria, there are few available tools to apply them as well as application reports about cost and effectiveness issues to define effective test strategies. Thus, it is necessary to obtain real data of the advantages and disadvantages of the methods and criteria to provide decision-making in the software development process as far in the validation and test activities. This work aimed to lead experiments to evaluate the cost and the effetiveness in applying the most relevant methods and criteria to subsidize test strategies definition in several contexts as the communication protocol development and the reactive systems development. A prototype was developed based on reengineering of the Plavis/FSM tool to support the experiments
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Geração automática de casos de testes para máquinas de estados finitos / Automatic test case generation for finite state machinesPedrosa, Lehilton Lelis Chaves, 1985- 09 January 2010 (has links)
Orientador: Arnaldo Vieira Moura / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Computação / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-16T21:26:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1
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Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: Métodos formais são amplamente utilizados para modelar especificações e gerar casos de testes, imprescindíveis para validação de sistemas críticos. As Máquinas de Estados Finitos (MEFs) compõem um dos formalismos adotados, com várias aplicações em testes de sistemas aéreos e espaciais, além de sistemas médicos, entre vários outros. O objetivo de um método de geração automática de casos de testes é obter um conjunto de casos de testes, com o qual é possível verificar se uma dada implementação contém falhas. Um problema importante em métodos de geração de casos de teste com cobertura completa de falhas é o tamanho dos conjuntos de testes, que normalmente é exponencial no número de estados da MEF que está sendo testada. Para minimizar esse problema, diversas abordagens são adotadas, envolvendo melhorias nos métodos existentes, restrições do modelo de falhas e o uso de novas estratégias de teste. Esta dissertação estuda métodos automáticos para geração de casos de testes com cobertura completa de falhas e propõe dois novos métodos, que permitem reduzir o tamanho dos conjuntos de testes gerados. Primeiro, combinamos ideias do método Wp e do método G, visando usufruir as vantagens de ambos e obtendo um novo método, denominado Gp. Em seguida, descrevemos um novo modelo de falhas para sistemas compostos de vários subsistemas, possivelmente com um número alto de estados. Formalizamos tais sistemas, introduzindo o conceito de MEFs combinadas, e apresentamos um novo método de testes, denominado método C. Além disso, propomos uma abordagem de testes incremental, baseada no método C, que torna possível o teste de MEFs com um número arbitrário de estados. Estabelecemos comparações com abordagens tradicionais e mostramos que o uso da estratégia incremental pode gerar conjuntos de testes exponencialmente mais eficientes / Mestrado / Teoria da Computação / Mestre em Ciência da Computação
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Geração de conjuntos de teste para sistemas reativos, de tempo-real, e com transformações de contexto / Generating test suites for reactive and real-time systems, with context transformationsBonifácio, Adilson Luiz 15 August 2018 (has links)
Orientador: Arnaldo Vieira Moura / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Computação / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-15T05:28:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1
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Previous issue date: 2009 / Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho é prover métodos eficientes de geração de casos de teste para sistemas reativos críticos. Sistemas dessa natureza compreendem sistemas de tempo real e com transformações de contexto. Uma das técnicas mais usadas na geração de conjuntos de teste tem sido a abordagem baseada em modelos formais. Neste caso, os formalismos fornecem uma base sólida para que a atividade de teste seja efetuada de forma precisa e segura. Este trabalho propõe a construção de modelos formais, métodos e técnicas, bem como estratégias de teste, para dar suporte ao processo de geração automática de conjuntos de teste, aplicáveis a sistemas complexos. Porém, o processo de geração de testes baseado em modelos se torna, muitas vezes, impraticável em aplicações reais, devido ao problema da explosão combinatória de estados. Daí a necessidade de se encontrar modelos adequados que capturem o comportamento desejado dos sistemas a serem testados, bem como a importância de se construir métodos que contornem o problema da explosão do espaço de estado, de maneira razoável, permitindo que a geração de testes seja um processo aplicável a sistemas complexos. Entre os modelos abordados neste trabalho estão: (i) as tradicionais Máquinas de Estados Finito (FSM); (ii) uma extensão das FSMusando variáveis de contexto, as Máquinas de Estados Finito Estendida (EFSM); (iii) a extensão temporizada de EFSM (TEFSM), que possui, não apenas variáveis de contexto, mas também variáveis relógio; (iv) os modelos temporizados com entradas e saídas independentes, conhecidos como Timed I/O Automata (TIOA); e (v) uma extensão proposta para TIOA, denominado Timed I/O Context Automata (TIOCA), para compreender a evolução contínua de tempo e também as transformações de contexto. Com relação a geração de testes baseada em tais modelos, foi proposto, primeiramente, uma técnica de derivação de sequências de confirmação para TEFSM, usando model-checking. Em seguida, foi proposta uma generalização para um método de geração de conjuntos completos de teste usando FSM. Também foi desenvolvido um novo método de discretização do modelo TIOA, provendo a base necessária para a geração de casos de teste usando os conceitos de proposta de teste e produto síncrono. Por fim, foi desenvolvida uma extensão do método de discretização para TIOA também proposto neste trabalho, aplicado ao modelo TIOCA, permitindo a geração de testes em sistemas com evolução contínua de tempo e fluxo de dados, usando
os conceitos de proposta de teste e produto de TIOCA / Abstract: This work aims to provide efficient test case generation methods for reactive and critical systems. In general, reactive and critical systems are real-time systems with context transformations. One of the most promising techniques for generating test suites is model-based testing. The formalisms supply the basis to perform a precise and dependable testing activity. In this scenery, our work proposes a construction of formal models, methods and techniques, as well as testing strategies, to support the process of automatically generating test suites for complex systems. However, the test generation process using formal models is usually infeasible in real applications, due to the state space explosion. Therefore, we need to find out suitable models to capture the system behaviors, and also to construct methods that can overcome the explosion problem, in a reasonable way, allowing the generation of test suites for complex systems. In this work we treat the following formal models: the conventional FSM; an extension of FSM using context variables (EFSM); the proposed extension of EFSM (TEFSM) to capture context variables and also clock variables; timed models, with disassociated input and output actions, called TIOA; and the proposed extension for TIOA, so-called TIOCA, to capture continuous time evolution and context transformations. In a first step of this work we proposed a technique to derive confirming sequences for TEFSM, using model-checking. Next, a classical method to generate complete test suites was generalized for FSM.We also proposed a new discretizationmethod for TIOA models, allowing the test case generation using test purpose and the synchronous product. Lastly, we extended the discretization method for TIOA to obtain more compact grid automata for TIOCA models, allowing the test case generation for systems with continuous time evolution and data flow transformations, using the notion of test purpose and the product of TIOCA / Doutorado / Teoria da Computação e Teste de Sistemas / Doutor em Ciência da Computação
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Método de modelagem e geração de testes para o ambiente de ensino à distância TelEduc / Modelling and test generation method for the e-learning web environment TelEducLetizio, Caroline Castello, 1987- 24 August 2018 (has links)
Orientador: Eliane Martins / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Computação / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-24T16:35:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1
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Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: Teste baseado em modelo é uma técnica na qual um sistema é modelado e geram-se testes a partir do modelo. Esta técnica apresenta como uma das maiores dificuldades a modelagem do sistema. Alguns dos empecilhos encontrados ao modelar são o que considerar do sistema e como representar essas considerações no modelo, incluindo em aplicações Web. Sendo assim, este trabalho propõe um método para auxiliar na modelagem de aplicações Web. Esta escolha é motivada pelo fato que esse tipo de sistema tem sido cada vez mais utilizado nos últimos anos e, com a sua evolução, sua complexidade tem aumentado consideravelmente, devido à dinamicidade e interatividade que esse tipo de aplicação oferece. A abordagem proposta é baseada em trabalhos correlatos, para se saber o que modelar da aplicação Web e como criar o modelo, descrevendo-se o passo-a-passo para se gerar os testes a partir dos modelos desenvolvidos e aplicá-los no sistema. A abordagem deste trabalho sugere tanto formas manuais como automáticas para os testes baseados em modelos. O método foi proposto para testar uma aplicação real: o ambiente de ensino à distância TelEduc. Os resultados, obtidos a partir da aplicação da proposta deste trabalho por um analista de teste e pela própria equipe do TelEduc, são analisados, a fim de validar a proposta e auxiliar no processo de desenvolvimento e aplicação dos testes de equipes de qualidade de software, principalmente, daquelas que não possuem nenhuma forma de organização de testes / Abstract: Model based testing is a technique in which the system is modeled and, from this model, tests can be generated. The major difficulty about this technique is to generate the model, since it is problematic to define what should be considered from the system and insert these characteristics into the model. This technique is also used in Web applications which presents the same challenges. Therefore, the present work proposes a method to assist in the modeling of Web applications. This sort of system has been increasingly used in recent years, where the system¿s complexity has considerably grown due to the dynamic and interactivity that this kind of application offers. The proposed method is based on related works in order to know what to model from the applications and how to create this model. The method contains the steps to generate tests cases from the created model, and how to execute them in the system. This work also suggests manual and automatic ways to execute the method. The proposal has been applied to test a real application: the e-learning Web environment TelEduc. The results obtained from the method¿s application by a test analyst and by the TelEduc team, are here analyzed to validate the method and to assist in the process development and tests execution by quality teams, especially those teams where there are no means of tests organization. / Mestrado / Ciência da Computação / Mestra em Ciência da Computação
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Software Testing : A Comparative Study Model Based Testing VS Test Case Based Testing / Software Testing : A Comparative Study Model Based Testing VS Test Case Based TestingPolamreddy, Rakesh Reddy, Irtaza, Syed Ail January 2012 (has links)
Software testing is considered as one of the key phases in the software-development life cycle (SDLC). The main objective of software testing is to detect the faults either through manual testing or with automated testing approach. The most commonly adopted software testing approach in industries is test case based testing (TCBT) which is usually done manually. TCBT is mainly used by the software testers to formalize and guide their testing activities and set theoretical principals for testing. On the other hand, model based testing (MBT) is widely used automation software testing technique to generate and execute the tests. Both techniques are showing their prominence in real time with some pros and cons. However, there is no formal comparison available between these two techniques. The main objective of this thesis work is to find out the difference in test cases in TCBT and MBT in terms of providing better test coverage ( Statement, Branch and Path), requirement traceability, cost and time. To fulfill the aims of the research we have conducted interviews for static validation, and later we did an experiment for validating those results dynamically. The analysis of experiment results showed that the requirement traceability in MBT generated test cases are very hard to make the test cases traceable to the requirements, particularly with the open-source tool Model J-Unit. However, this can be done by using other commercial tools like Microsoft Spec Explorer or Conformiq Qtronic. Furthermore, we found by conducting experiment, that MBT consumes less time thus it is cost-effective as compared to TCBT and also MBT show better test coverage than TCBT. Moreover, we found that, in our case, requirement traceability is better in traditional TCBT approach as compared to MBT. / +4746851975
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Verification of behaviourist multi-agent systems by means of formally guided simulations / Vérification des systèmes multi-agents comportementalistes par le moyen des simulations formellement guidéesSilva, Paulo Salem da 28 November 2011 (has links)
Les systèmes multi-agents (SMA) peuvent être utilisé pour modéliser les phénomènes qui peuvent être décomposés en agents qui interagissent et qui existent au sein d'un environnement. Ils peuvent être utilisés pour modéliser les sociétés humaines et animales, aux fins de l'analyse de leurs propriétés par des moyens de calcul. Cette thèse est consacrée à l'analyse automatisée d'un type particulier de ces modèles sociaux, celles qui sont fondées sur les principes comportementalistes, qui contrastent avec les approches cognitives plus dominantes dans la littérature des SMAs. La caractéristique des théories comportementalistes est l'accent mis sur la définition des comportements basée sur l'interaction entre les agents et leur environnement. Non seulement des actions réflexives, mais aussi d'apprentissage, les motivations, et les émotions peuvent être définies. Nous introduisons une architecture formelle d'agent basée sur la théorie d'analyse comportementale de B. F. Skinner, ainsi que une notion appropriée et formelle de l'environnement pour mettre ces agents ensemble dans un SMA. La simulation est souvent utilisée pour analyser les SMAs. Les techniques consistent généralement à simuler le SMA plusieurs fois, soit pour recueillir des statistiques, soit pour voir ce qui se passe à travers l'animation. Toutefois, les simulations peuvent être utilisées d'une manière plus orientée vers la vérification si on considère qu'elles sont en réalité des explorations de grandes espaces d'états. Nous proposons une technique de vérification nouvelle basé sur cette idée, qui consiste à simuler un SMA de manière guidée, afin de vérifier si quelques hypothèses sur lui sont confirmées ou non. À cette fin, nous tirons profit de la position privilégiée que les environnements sont dans les SMAs de cette thèse: la spécification formelle de l'environnement d'un SMA sert à calculer les évolutions possibles du SMA comme un système de transition, établissant ainsi l'espace d'états à vérifier. Dans ce calcul, les agents sont pris en compte en les simulant afin de déterminer, à chaque état de l'environnement, quelles sont leurs actions. Chaque exécution de la simulation est une séquence d'états dans cet espace d'états, qui est calculée à la volée, au fur et à mesure que la simulation progresse. L'hypothèse à étudier, à son tour, est donnée comme un autre système de transition, appelé objectif de simulation, qui définit les simulations désirables et indésirables. Il est alors possible de vérifier si le SMA est conforme à l'objectif de simulation selon un certain nombre de notions de satisfiabilité très précises. Algorithmiquement, cela correspond à la construction d'un produit synchrone de ces deux systèmes de transitions (i.e., celui du SMA et l'objectif de simulation) à la volée et à l'utiliser pour faire fonctionner un simulateur. C'est-à-dire, l'objectif de simulation est utilisé pour guider le simulateur, de sorte que seuls les états concernés sont en réalité simulés. À la fin d'un tel algorithme, il délivre un verdict concluant ou non concluant. Si c'est concluant, il est connu que le SMA est conforme à l'objectif de simulation par rapport aux observations qui ont été faites lors des simulations. Si c'est non-concluant, il est possible d'effectuer quelques ajustements et essayer à nouveau. En résumé, dans cette thèse nous fournissons quatre nouveaux éléments: (i) une architecture d'agent; (ii) une spécification formelle de l'environnement de ces agents, afin qu'ils puissent être composés comme un SMA; (iii) une structure pour décrire les propriétés d'intérêt, que nous avons nommée objectif de simulation, et (iv) une technique pour l'analyse formelle du SMA résultant par rapport à un objectif de simulation. Ces éléments sont mis en œuvre dans un outil, appelé Simulateur Formellement Guidé (FGS, de l'anglais Formally Guided Simulator).Des études de cas exécutables dans FGS sont fournies pour illustrer l'approche. / Multi-agent systems (MASs) can be used to model phenomena that can be decomposed into several interacting agents which exist within an environment. In particular, they can be used to model human and animal societies, for the purpose of analysing their properties by computational means. This thesis is concerned with the automated analysis of a particular kind of such social models, namely, those based on behaviourist principles, which contrasts with the more dominant cognitive approaches found in the MAS literature. The hallmark of behaviourist theories is the emphasis on the definition of behaviour in terms of the interaction between agents and their environment. In this manner, not merely reflexive actions, but also learning, drives, and emotions can be defined. More specifically, in this thesis we introduce a formal agent architecture (specified with the Z Notation) based on the Behaviour Analysis theory of B. F. Skinner, and provide a suitable formal notion of environment (based on the pi-calculus process algebra) to bring such agents together as a MAS. Simulation is often used to analyse MASs. The techniques involved typically consist in implementing and then simulating a MAS several times to either collect statistics or see what happens through animation. However, simulations can be used in a more verification-oriented manner if one considers that they are actually explorations of large state-spaces. In this thesis we propose a novel verification technique based on this insight, which consists in simulating a MAS in a guided way in order to check whether some hypothesis about it holds or not. To this end, we leverage the prominent position that environments have in the MASs of this thesis: the formal specification of the environment of a MAS serves to compute the possible evolutions of the MAS as a transition system, thereby establishing the state-space to be investigated. In this computation, agents are taken into account by being simulated in order to determine, at each environmental state, what their actions are. Each simulation execution is a sequence of states in this state-space, which is computed on-the-fly, as the simulation progresses. The hypothesis to be investigated, in turn, is given as another transition system, called a simulation purpose, which defines the desirable and undesirable simulations (e.g., "every time the agent does X, it will do Y later"). It is then possible to check whether the MAS satisfies the simulation purpose according to a number of precisely defined notions of satisfiability. Algorithmically, this corresponds to building a synchronous product of these two transitions systems (i.e., the MAS's and the simulation purpose) on-the-fly and using it to operate a simulator. That is to say, the simulation purpose is used to guide the simulator, so that only the relevant states are actually simulated. By the end of such an algorithm, it delivers either a conclusive or inconclusive verdict. If conclusive, it becomes known whether the MAS satisfies the simulation purpose w.r.t. the observations made during simulations. If inconclusive, it is possible to perform some adjustments and try again.In summary, then, in this thesis we provide four novel elements: (i) an agent architecture; (ii) a formal specification of the environment of these agents, so that they can be composed into a MAS; (iii) a structure to describe the property of interest, which we named simulation purpose; and (iv) a technique to formally analyse the resulting MAS with respect to a simulation purpose. These elements are implemented in a tool, called Formally Guided Simulator (FGS). Case studies executable in FGS are provided to illustrate the approach.
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