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263-2815-00L 7 Credits MSC , WBZ D-INFK
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Automated Software Testing

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Zhendong Su
Last cancellation/deregistration date for this graded semester performance: 17 March 2023! Please note that after that date no deregistration will be accepted and the course will be considered as "fail".
VVZ CR 2.73

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:23:15

Abstract

This course introduces students to classic and modern techniques for the automated testing and analysis of software systems for reliability, security, and performance. It covers both techniques and their applications in various domains (e.g., compilers, databases, theorem provers, operating systems, machine/deep learning, and mobile applications), focusing on the latest, important results.

Objective

* Learn fundamental and practical techniques for software testing and analysis * Understand the challenges, open issues and opportunities across a variety of domains (security/systems/compilers/databases/mobile/AI/education) * Understand how latest automated testing and analysis techniques work * Gain conceptual and practical experience in techniques/tools for reliability, security, and performance * Learn how to perform original and impactful research in this area

Content

The course will be organized into the following components: (1) classic and modern testing and analysis techniques (coverage metrics, mutation testing, metamorphic testing, combinatorial testing, symbolic execution, fuzzing, static analysis, etc.), (2) latest results on techniques and applications from diverse domains, and (3) open challenges and opportunities. A major component of this course is a class project. All students (individually or two-person teams) are expected to select and complete a course project. Ideally, the project is original research related in a broad sense to automated software testing and analysis. Potential project topics will also be suggested by the teaching staff. Students must select a project and write a one or two pages proposal describing why what the proposed project is interesting and giving a work schedule. Students will also write a final report describing the project and prepare a 20-30 minute presentation at the end of the course. The due dates for the project proposal, final report, and project presentation will be announced. The course will cover results from the Advanced Software Technologies (AST) Lab at ETH as well as notable results elsewhere, providing good opportunities for potential course project topics as well as MSc project/thesis topics.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Lecture notes/slides and other lecture materials/handouts will be available online.

Literature

Reading material and links to tools will be published on the course website.

Learning Materials (Links)

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC , WBZ
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance
The final course grade will be determined by:(1) a mandatory project: 70%(2) a midterm exam: 30%Students who are repeating the course are required to repeat both the project work and the midterm exam.

Registration & Places

Signup End
17.03.2023

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Automated Software Testing
  • Tue 12:15-14:00 (CAB G 61)
2 h weekly
exercise Automated Software Testing
  • Mon 17:15-18:00 (CAB G 51)
1 h weekly
independent project Automated Software Testing No time listed 3 h weekly

Offered In