Deriving test cases using class vectors

Classification tree is one of the methods of generating test cases from specification. It partitions the input domain into a number of classifications. A classification tree is created to depict the relationship among the classifications. Test cases are then derived from this tree. However classification trees have a number of shortcomings. The expressive power is limited by the tree structure. It also rely much on human decision in selecting test cases. This paper introduces an alternative approach to the generation of test cases. Ne define classifications and classes formally. Then, we analyze the relations among classes and classifications and express these relations in vectors (class vectors). Test cases are then derived from the Cartesian product of these partitions of vectors. The expressive power of vectors is better than tree structure and hence can be applied in some systems which test cases are complicated Furthermore, more information obtained in the specifications is utilized. Hence the amount of human decision is minimized.