Towards A Sufficient Set of Mutation Operators for Structured Query Language (SQL)

Abstract

Test suites for database applications depend on adequate test data and real-world test faults for success. An automated tool is available that quantifies test data coverage for database queries written in SQL. An automated tool is also available that mimics real-world faults by mutating SQL, however tests have revealed that these simulated faults do not completely represent real-world faults. This paper demonstrates how half of the mutation operators used by the SQL mutation tool in real-world test suites generated significantly lower detection scores than those from research test suites. Three revised mutation operators are introduced that improve detection scores and contribute toward re-defining a sufficient set of mutation operators for SQL. Finally, a procedure is presented that reduces the test burden by automatically comparing SQL mutants with their original queries.