The Classification Tree Editor (CTE)

The Classification Tree Editor (CTE) is integrated with TESSY. The CTE supports the Classification Tree Method (CTM). This method transforms a problem specification into a set of error-sensitive, low-redundancy test case specifications. The method incorporates equivalence partitioning and boundary value analysis. The objective of the Classification Tree Method is to determine a sufficient but minimum number of test case specifications.

The Classification Tree Method addresses questions like

  • How many tests should be run?
  • What test data should be used?
  • How can redundant test cases be avoided?
  • Have any test cases been overlooked?
  • When is it safe to end testing?

Historically, the CTM required reflection and some manual work in the CTE to draw the classification tree and to specify the test cases. Nowadays, a lot of the work can be automated: Automated generation of the tree from the interface of the test object; automated specification of the test cases from the classification tree, and automated derivation of test data from the names of the classes.

The Classificatione Tree Editor (CTE)
The CTE originates from the former software technology laboratory of Daimler-Benz in Berlin, Germany.