Skip to main content

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNTCS,volume 8802))

Abstract

Model-based testing allows the creation of test cases from a model of the system under test. Often, such models are difficult to obtain, or even not available. Automata learning helps in inferring the model of a system by observing its behaviour. The model can be employed for many purposes, such as testing other implementations, regression testing, or model checking. We present an algorithm for active learning of nondeterministic, input-enabled, labelled transition systems, based on the well known Angluin’s L ⋆  algorithm. Under some assumptions, for dealing with nondeterminism, input-enabledness and equivalence checking, we prove that the algorithm produces a model whose behaviour is equivalent to the one under learning. We define new properties for the structure used in the algorithm, derived from the semantics of labelled transition systems. Such properties help the learning, by avoiding to query the system under learning when it is not necessary.

This research is supported by the Dutch Technology Foundation STW, which is part of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), and which is partly funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs.Proofs available at http://www.italia.cs.ru.nl/publications/

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Aarts, F., Heidarian, F., Kuppens, H., Olsen, P., Vaandrager, F.: Automata learning through counterexample guided abstraction refinement. In: Giannakopoulou, D., Méry, D. (eds.) FM 2012. LNCS, vol. 7436, pp. 10–27. Springer, Heidelberg (2012)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  2. Aarts, F., Vaandrager, F.: Learning I/O automata. In: Gastin, P., Laroussinie, F. (eds.) CONCUR 2010. LNCS, vol. 6269, pp. 71–85. Springer, Heidelberg (2010)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  3. Angluin, D.: Learning regular sets from queries and counterexamples. Information and Computation 75(2), 87–106 (1987)

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  4. Berg, T., Grinchtein, O., Jonsson, B., Leucker, M., Raffelt, H., Steffen, B.: On the correspondence between conformance testing and regular inference. In: Cerioli, M. (ed.) FASE 2005. LNCS, vol. 3442, pp. 175–189. Springer, Heidelberg (2005)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  5. Bollig, B., Habermehl, P., Kern, C., Leucker, M.: Angluin-style learning of NFA, IJCAI 2009, pp. 1004–1009. Morgan Kaufmann Publishers Inc. (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  6. El-Fakih, K., Groz, R., Irfan, M.N., Shahbaz, M.: Learning finite state models of observable nondeterministic systems in a testing context. In: ICTSS 2010, pp. 97–102 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Howar, F., Isberner, M., Steffen, B., Bauer, O., Jonsson, B.: Inferring semantic interfaces of data structures. In: Margaria, T., Steffen, B. (eds.) ISoLA 2012, Part I. LNCS, vol. 7609, pp. 554–571. Springer, Heidelberg (2012)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  8. Milner, R.: A Calculus of Communication Systems. LNCS, vol. 92. Springer, Heidelberg (1980)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  9. Niese, O.: An integrated approach to testing complex systems. Ph.D. thesis, University of Dortmund (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Pacharoen, W., Toshiaki, A., Bhattarakosol, P., Surarerks, A.: Active Learning of Non-deterministic Finite State Machines. In: Mathematical Problems in Engineering 2013, p. 11 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Rivest, R., Schapire, R.: Inference of finite automata using homing sequences. In: Hanson, S.J., Rivest, R.L., Remmele, W. (eds.) MIT-Siemens 1993. LNCS, vol. 661, pp. 51–73. Springer, Heidelberg (1993)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Shahbaz, M., Groz, R.: Inferring mealy machines. In: Cavalcanti, A., Dams, D.R. (eds.) FM 2009. LNCS, vol. 5850, pp. 207–222. Springer, Heidelberg (2009)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  13. Smeenk, W.: Applying Automata Learning to Complex Industrial Software. Radboud University Nijmegen, master’s thesis (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Steffen, B., Howar, F., Merten, M.: Introduction to active automata learning from a practical perspective. In: Bernardo, M., Issarny, V. (eds.) SFM 2011. LNCS, vol. 6659, pp. 256–296. Springer, Heidelberg (2011)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  15. Tretmans, J.: Test Generation with Inputs, Outputs and Repetitive Quiescence. Software-Concepts and Tools 3, 103–120 (1996)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Tretmans, J.: Model-based testing and some steps towards test-based modelling. In: Bernardo, M., Issarny, V. (eds.) SFM 2011. LNCS, vol. 6659, pp. 297–326. Springer, Heidelberg (2011)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  17. Volpato, M., Tretmans, J.: Towards quality of model-based testing in the ioco framework. In: Proceedings of the 2013 International Workshop on Joining AcadeMiA and Industry Contributions to Testing Automation, JAMAICA 2013, pp. 41–46. ACM, New York (2013)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  18. Willemse, T.A.C.: Heuristics for ioco-based test-based modelling. In: Brim, L., Haverkort, B.R., Leucker, M., van de Pol, J. (eds.) FMICS 2006 and PDMC 2006. LNCS, vol. 4346, pp. 132–147. Springer, Heidelberg (2007)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

Volpato, M., Tretmans, J. (2014). Active Learning of Nondeterministic Systems from an ioco Perspective. In: Margaria, T., Steffen, B. (eds) Leveraging Applications of Formal Methods, Verification and Validation. Technologies for Mastering Change. ISoLA 2014. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 8802. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-45234-9_16

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-45234-9_16

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-45233-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-45234-9

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics