Metamorphic Testing of a Steer-by-Wire System: An Intercultural Students-as-Partners Collaboration Experience

Yifan Zhang, Dave Towey, Matthew Pike, Rui Qiu, Axel Tan Jaya, Sze Huey, Xinyi Zhang, Yuan Wu

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

Abstract

This paper explores the educational and practical impacts of integrating metamorphic testing (MT) into a software engineering project conducted by an intercultural group of students. The students designed a Steer-by-Wire (SBW) system to control the steering of a model vehicle and tested using a hybrid approach that combined unit testing and MT. Four metamorphic relations (MRs) were generated and two significant violations were encountered during the testing phase. The first violation, related to steering angle consistency reported by the system, as a case of metamorphic exploration (ME), revealed a common coding mistake where the system failed to maintain consistent steering angles for equivalent inputs in opposite directions, illustrating how ME can enhance comprehension of the system and the testing process itself. It not only deepened the testers' understanding of the integration between software and mechanical systems but also represented valuable insights for others engaged in similar tasks. The second MR violation revealed issues with interruptions and delays when the system switched between manual and automated control modes, demonstrating MT's effectiveness in identifying defects and highlighting MT's importance in real-world software development scenarios. Additionally, the project examined the effectiveness of aligning MT roles to team members based on their Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personalities, suggesting that such alignments can enhance team dynamics and overall project efficiency. This study provides insights into the benefits of using MT in educational settings, the implications of personality-based task assignments, and the enhancement of software reliability and team performance in an intercultural context. The findings of this research reinforce the value of MT in software engineering education and support for the integration of psychological analysis in managing complex projects.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMET 2024 - Proceedings of the 9th ACM International Workshop on Metamorphic Testing, Co-located with
Subtitle of host publicationISSTA 2024
EditorsHuai Liu, Aldeida Aleti, Aitor Arrieta
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery, Inc
Pages18-25
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9798400711176
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 13 Sept 2024
Event9th ACM International Workshop on Metamorphic Testing, MET 2024, Co-located with: ISSTA 2024 - Vienna, Austria
Duration: 17 Sept 2024 → …

Publication series

NameMET 2024 - Proceedings of the 9th ACM International Workshop on Metamorphic Testing, Co-located with: ISSTA 2024

Conference

Conference9th ACM International Workshop on Metamorphic Testing, MET 2024, Co-located with: ISSTA 2024
Country/TerritoryAustria
CityVienna
Period17/09/24 → …

Keywords

  • metamorphic exploration (ME)
  • Metamorphic testing (MT)
  • software engineering (SE)
  • students as partners (SaP)
  • team personality
  • team productivity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Software
  • Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Metamorphic Testing of a Steer-by-Wire System: An Intercultural Students-as-Partners Collaboration Experience'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this