An analysis approach for testing exception handling programs

Abstract

Exception handling is a powerful mechanism that separates the error handling code from normal code. However, incorrect usage of exception will bring about more potential faults in the code. Based on the study of exception model of C++, the paper proposes a precise and efficient representation of programs with exception handling constructs---Exception Control Flow Graph, which can represent explicitly the implicit control flow of exception and exception propagation path. Then it presents the structure testing criteria of programs with exception handling constructs based on the representation method, and gives the computing method. The approach overcomes the limitations of previous incorrect analysis because of failing to account for the effects of exception handling constructs.