Background: The field of software testing is growing and rapidly-evolving. Aims: Based on keywords assigned to publications, we seek to identify predominant research topics and understand how they are connected and have evolved. Method: We apply co-word analysis to map the topology of testing research as a network where author-assigned keywords are connected by edges indicating co-occurrence in publications. Keywords are clustered based on edge density and frequency of connection. We examine the most popular keywords, summarize clusters into high-level research topics, examine how topics connect, and examine how the field is changing. Results: Testing research can be divided into 16 high-level topics and 18 subtopics. Creation guidance, automated test generation, evolution and maintenance, and test oracles have particularly strong connections to other topics, highlighting their multidisciplinary nature. Emerging keywords relate to web and mobile apps, machine learning, energy consumption, automated program repair and test generation, while emerging connections have formed between web apps, test oracles, and machine learning with many topics. Random and requirements-based testing show potential decline. Conclusions: Our observations, advice, and map data offer a deeper understanding of the field and inspiration regarding challenges and connections to explore.
翻译:目标:根据分配给出版物的关键字,我们力求确定主要的研究课题,并了解它们是如何连接和演变的。 方法:我们应用共同字分析,将测试研究的地形图绘制成一个网络,在这个网络中,作者指定的关键字被显示在出版物中共同出现的边缘连接起来。关键字是根据边缘密度和连接频率组合在一起的。我们研究最受欢迎的关键字,将集群归纳为高级别研究专题,研究专题如何连接,并研究领域如何变化。结果:测试研究可以分为16个高级别专题和18个分专题。创建指导、自动测试生成、进化和维护以及测试或触角与其他专题有着特别强大的连接,突出其多学科性质。新出现的关键字涉及网络和移动应用程序、机器学习、能源消耗、自动化程序修理和测试生成,同时在网络应用程序、测试或触摸、以及机器学习等多个专题之间形成新的联系。随机和基于要求的测试显示潜在的衰退。 创建指南、自动测试、进化、进化和维护、测试和测试或测试或触摸摸摸,为更深的实地数据提供了更深层次的发现。