Mechanism for the Systematic Generation of Functional Tests of Smart Contracts in Digital Publication Management Systems

Abstract

The application of state-of-the-art technologies in functional fields is complex and offers a significant challenge to user and expert teams as well as to technical teams. This chapter presents a mechanism that has been used in a project in the context of digital publications. Ensuring the traceability of digital publications (e-books and e-journals) is a critical aspect of the utmost importance for authors, publishers, and buyers. The SmartISBN project has used blockchain technology to define a protocol for the identification, tracking, and traceability of digital publications. As this was an innovative project that required communication between functional experts (authors, publishers, booksellers, etc.) and technical experts, it was necessary to identify protocols to facilitate communication. This chapter presents the protocol by which the functional tests have been defined and how this has favoured the validation of the project.