Test Order Method for Component-based Integration Testing

This paper introduces an architectural component-based integration testing methodology that emphasises its component test order feature. This methodology is suitable for systems that lack system documentation and is applicable during the deployment phase. This paper also presents the results from an empirical study that validates the proposed test order method against existing methods. This paper also reports additional benefits that are gained from applying it for analysing the system under test (SUT) before planning for the test. The benefits are : (1) better understanding of the SUT structures and configuration based on the degree of coupling between components; (2) identification of the test elements for test case generation and (3) derivation or refinement of the SUT's software architecture.