AutoAbstract: Problem Statement and Hypothetical Solutions

Automated abstraction of code into state-based specification and test generation (AutoAbstract) is a project funded by EPSRC. The aim of the project is to devise methods and a tool to abstract out specifications from the code using some hints from the developer. These specifications will be in the form of X-machines. It is assumed that these hints are available in the form of incomplete specifications and are refined using reverse-engineered X-machines. Finally, a method will be developed to generate concrete test cases from the refined X-machines and the tool will be updated accordingly. The main theme of my PhD lies within the AutoAbstract project. This PhD extended abstract will contain the technical challenges involved in the project followed by the parts of the work involved in the project that are linked to my interests. The proposed solutions to these parts will also be discussed.