The Importance of Testing in the Early Stages of Smart Contract Development Life Cycle

Authors

  • N. Sánchez-Gómez University of Seville, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Informática. Web Engineering and Early Testing (IWT2) Group. Avenida Reina Mercedes s/n. 41012 Sevilla, Spain
  • L. Morales-Trujillo University of Seville, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Informática. Web Engineering and Early Testing (IWT2) Group. Avenida Reina Mercedes s/n. 41012 Sevilla, Spain
  • J. J. Gutiérrez University of Seville, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Informática. Web Engineering and Early Testing (IWT2) Group. Avenida Reina Mercedes s/n. 41012 Sevilla, Spain
  • J. Torres-Valderrama University of Seville, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Informática. Web Engineering and Early Testing (IWT2) Group. Avenida Reina Mercedes s/n. 41012 Sevilla, Spain

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13052/jwe1540-9589.1925

Keywords:

Blockchain, Smart contract, Model-based software development, Early testing

Abstract

The use of smart contract augurs a world without intermediaries because the code and the agreements contained therein exist across a distributed, decentralized blockchain network. In software engineering, this collaboration is usually represented by using business process models and smart contracts can be used to implement business collaborations in general and inter-organizational business processes. The validation of this contract and the assurance of its quality are critical for its right application. Early testing in smart contract definition is the fact of this paper. The paper discusses the possibility to use transformation protocols to obtain derived artefacts like test case definitions and smart contract code scaffolds. Generation of derived artefacts significantly reduces the number of defects before deploying the smart contract code in the blockchain network. Transformations protocols are created using model-based software development and modelling techniques. This approach allows to simplify and improve the management and execution of collaborative business processes. This would allow, in addition, the application of systematic mechanisms to evaluate and validate the smart contract and, particularly, the application of early testing techniques which would help to reduce the number of defects and, ultimately, the cost of the final review.

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Author Biographies

N. Sánchez-Gómez, University of Seville, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Informática. Web Engineering and Early Testing (IWT2) Group. Avenida Reina Mercedes s/n. 41012 Sevilla, Spain

N. Sánchez-Gómez has developed a large part of its professional career in the technology and process consultancy sector, both in the private and public sectors. Throughout more than thirty years of professional experience, he has gone from implementing ICT solutions to supervising work teams, managing clients and leading ICT projects. He is currently a member of the Web Engineering and Early Testing Research Group. In recent years, he has been coordinating different projects of the research group, including the Project Management Office of the Ministry of Culture (Andalusian Regional Government).

He currently has a broad knowledge of the functions and processes that make up the activity environment of the sectors in which he has participated and has completed his studies in Computer Engineering, with the Degree in Computer Engineering and the University Master in Engineering and Software Technology, both at the University of Seville, with the knowledge and skills of people management, ICT project management, customer management and practical application of computer engineering methodologies and techniques, in addition to obtaining the Prince2® Foundation Certified, the ISTQB® Certified Tester, Foundation Level and the PMP® Certified.

Previously, from 2001 to 2009, he developed his professional activity as Manager of the company everis Spain, being responsible for different accounts in both the public and private sectors. From 1990 to 2001, he worked for the company Coritel (Accenture group), where he also carried out management and project management activities. Further information about her research activities and her list of publications can be found at https://investigacion.us.es/sisius/sis_showpub.php?idpers=20733

L. Morales-Trujillo, University of Seville, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Informática. Web Engineering and Early Testing (IWT2) Group. Avenida Reina Mercedes s/n. 41012 Sevilla, Spain

L. Morales-Trujillo Graduated in Health Engineering since 2016 and Master in Software Engineering and Technology since 2018; both by the University of Seville (US).Since 2016 linked to the Web Engineering and Early Testing (IWT2) research group, belonging to the department. Languages and Computer Systems of the Higher Technical School of Computer Engineering of the US. Currently, enrolled in the doctorate program in Computer Engineering at the US, with a line of research according to my academic training: Ensuring the traceability of elements in a context of systems of systems. In addition, linked to the US within the Recruitment Plan for Young Research Personnel and R&D Support Technicians, Framework of the National Youth Guarantee System of the 2014–2020 Youth Employment Operational Program. Being part of a research group has allowed me to get to know different R&D lines, attend conferences, participate in R&D contracts in collaboration with companies, practice as a visiting professor, as well as continue my academic studies.

The lines of research in which I have worked are: Optimized and Flexible Management of Business Processes, Early Testing and Hybrid Simulation Models in Software Production, Guided Solutions to Systematize Early Quality Assurance of Software and Guided Mechanisms in Stages Early for Software Improvement. I have practiced (2019) as a guest professor in the subject “Modeling and Analysis of Requirements in Information Systems” of the Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering in Computer Technologies, teaching requirements validation activities in the context of developing an information system to support the clinical services management. I have done a 6-month pre-doctoral stay at the Universidad a Distancia de Madrid, in the course 18/19. Further information about her research activities and her list of publications can be found at https://www.investigacion.us.es/sisius/sis_showpub.php?idpers=25277

J. J. Gutiérrez, University of Seville, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Informática. Web Engineering and Early Testing (IWT2) Group. Avenida Reina Mercedes s/n. 41012 Sevilla, Spain

J. J. Gutiérrez was awarded his PhD in Computer Science by the University of Seville, Spain, in 2011. Since 2004 he has been a professor in the Department of Computer Languages and Systems at the University of Seville and since 2006 he has been a collaborating professor.

He is currently a member of the Web Engineering and Early Testing Research Group. Among his most notable research results, it is worth mentioning his transfer to the business world. With the development of the concept of early testing and its integration with the NDT methodology also developed within the research group, he has managed to develop a set of methodological solutions for the development and quality assurance that has been widely used in the Andalusian and national business network or even by international companies. This can be measured not only in the transfer projects, but also in the number of publications with companies and in the tools registered. Further information about her research activities and her list of publications can be found at https://investigacion.us.es/sisius/sis_showpub.php?idpers=11730

J. Torres-Valderrama, University of Seville, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Informática. Web Engineering and Early Testing (IWT2) Group. Avenida Reina Mercedes s/n. 41012 Sevilla, Spain

J. Torres-Valderrama received his MSc and the Phd in Computer Systems in 1997. He has been working in the Department of Computer Languages and Systems at the Seville’s University since 1991, where he is currently a senior lecturer. Her main research interests are related to requirements engineering, web-based systems development, user interfaces, usability and Early Software Testing. In these areas, she has directed several PhD theses and published numerous papers in journals and congresses. He has managed and participated in a high number of projects related to her areas of research.

He has been dean of School of Computer Engineering at Seville’s University from 2006 to 2014 and he is currently manager of the Foundation for Research and Development of Information Technology in Andalusia since 2016. Further information about her research activities and her list of publications can be found at https://investigacion.us.es/sisius/sis_showpub.php?idpers=3278

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Published

2020-06-03

How to Cite

Sánchez-Gómez, N., Morales-Trujillo, L., Gutiérrez, J. J., & Torres-Valderrama, J. (2020). The Importance of Testing in the Early Stages of Smart Contract Development Life Cycle. Journal of Web Engineering, 19(2), 215–242. https://doi.org/10.13052/jwe1540-9589.1925

Issue

2020: Vol 19 Iss 2

Section

SPECIAL ISSUE: Advanced Practices in Web Engineering 2020