Spectrum-Based Fault Localization (SBFL) is a technique to be used during debugging, the premise of which is that, based on the test case outcomes and code coverage, faulty code elements can be auto-matically detected. SBFL is popular among researchers because it is lightweight and easy to implement, and there is a lot of potential in it when it comes to research that aims to improve its effectiveness. Despite this, the technique cannot be found in contemporary development and debugging tools, only a handful of research prototypes are available. Reasons for this can be multiple, including the algortihms’ sub-optimal effectiveness and other technical weaknesses. But, also the lack of clear functional and non-functional requirements for such a tool, either standalone or integrated into IDEs. In this paper, we attempt to provide such a list based on surveying the most popular SBFL tools and on our own researchers’ and tool builders’ experience.
Attila Szatmári Szegedi Tudományegyetem, Qusay Idrees Sarhan Department of Software Engineering, University of Szeged, Péter Attila Soha Department of Software Engineering, University of Szeged, Gergő Balogh Department of Software Engineering, University of Szeged, Árpád Beszédes Department of Software Engineering, University of Szeged
Niklas Krieger Institute of Software Engineering, University of Stuttgart, Sandro Speth Institute of Software Engineering, University of Stuttgart, Steffen Becker University of Stuttgart
Tim Kräuter Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Patrick Stünkel Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Adrian Rutle Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Yngve Lamo Western Norway University of Applied Sciences
