QW2002 Paper 2T1 Mr. Ibrahim El-Far (Florida Institute of Technology), Ms. Florence Mottay (J.D. Edwards), & Dr. Herbert Thompson(System Integrity) Experiences in Testing Pocket PC Applications

Key Points

• Learn key concepts in model-based testing
• a model-based technique to Windows CE Software
• Gain insight into our experience with state models

Presentation Abstract

Promising model-based approaches have emerged in the field of software testing during the past decade or so. In this presentation, we focus on our recent experiences with using finite state machines to test a host of applications created by Microsoft for the Pocket PC platform. Creating a state model of each of these applications facilitated the tasks of building test automation and verifying test results. We explain the process we followed, present our results, and share some of the lessons we learned from our

About the Author

Ibrahim K. El-Far is a doctoral candidate in computer sciences at the Florida Institute of Technol-ogy under the academic supervision of professor James A. Whittaker. He has a Bachelor of Sci-ences and a Master of Sciences in Computer Science from the American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon and the Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Florida, USA, respectively. His interests are in investigating software models for testing, test automation and tools, adequacy criteria, test cost and effectiveness, and software testing education. He has over five years of ex-perience in model-based testing using finite state machines at the Center for Software Engineer-ing Research at Florida Tech, where he has supervised the development of experimental model-based testing tools, advised model-based testing groups, and taught model-based testing in vari-ous formats to a variety of students. You can contact Ibrahim at ielfar@acm.org, visit for more information, or write him at the Software Engineering Program, Computer Sciences Department, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 West University Boulevard, Melbourne, Florida 32901 USA.

Florence E. Mottay is a quality engineer at J.D. Edwards. She received her Master of Science in mathematics from the Florida Institute of Technology. In previous years, Ms. Mottay worked as a research assistant at the Center for Software Engineering Research, Florida Institute of Technol-ogy, Melbourne. Her research interests are in software testing, formal languages, mathematical models, and e-commerce. She received awards for excellence in mathematics by the United States Achievement Academy (1997) and for academic excellence by the American Association of University Women (1998).

Herbert H. Thompson is the director of security technology at System Integrity. He received his doctoral degree in mathematics from the Florida Institute of Technology in 2002. In previous years, Dr. Thompson has worked for Microsoft Corporation as a test engineer. His research inter-ests are in software engineering, security, and applying mathematics to computer science prob-lems. You can contact him at hethomps@fit.edu or visit .