
Test Adequacy Assessment
7.2 MUTATION AND MUTANTS
Mutation is the act of changing a program, albeit only slightly. If P de-
notes the original program under test and M a program obtained by
slightly changing P, then M is known as a mutant of P, and P the par-
ent of M. Given that P is syntactically correct, and hence compiles, M
must be syntactically correct. M might exhibit the behavior of P from
which it is derived.
The term to mutate refers to the act of mutation. To mutate a program
means to change it. Of course, for the purpose of test assessment, we
mutate by introducing only slight changes.
Example 7.1: Consider the following simple program:
Program ...