Papers for

software testers

Papers whose findings have a practical use for this group, as judged from the abstract. Open a paper to read what it means in practice.

Random graphs show sharp tipping point for adaptable 2-color edge patterns

On the Critical Window for Adaptable 2-Colorability

Abstract: We determine a sharp threshold for the adaptable 2-colorability of a random graph equipped with a uniformly random, not necessarily proper, red/blue coloring of the edges. To accomplish this, we characterize a family of subgraphs along with edge colorings whose inclusion or exclusion determines adaptable $2$-colorability. We further show that above the threshold, a long path with alternating edge colors is formed. We use this path to prove the existence of such a subgraph in the supercritical regime. We then provide and prove symmetric bounds on the critical window for $2$-adaptable colorability. Particularly, we prove bounds matching that of the critical windows for the giant component in the Erd$ő$s-R$é$nyi random graph model as well as the satisfiability of a random $2$-SAT instance. Finally, we show that below the critical window, the solution space of adaptable $2$-colorings remains connected, that is one can travel from one adaptable $2$-coloring to another by a sequence of $2$-colorings which differ on $O(\log{n})$ many vertices.

Thu 10 SeptDiscrete Mathematics
The gist
The paper studies when a network with edges colored red or blue can be recolored to avoid conflicts in a special way called adaptable 2-colorability. The authors find a precise tipping point where this property suddenly becomes likely in random graphs. They also identify key subgraphs and color patterns that determine if such recoloring is possible. Below this tipping point, all solutions are connected in a simple way, and above it, certain long alternating color paths appear.
Open 2609.12214v1

Input metrics compared and improved for better software testing

An analysis of the relationship of input metrics

Abstract: Input metrics evaluate the progress of testing in terms of features of inputs present in a test suite. Previous works, as early as the 1950s, established a number of such metrics, but few endeavored to compare them. This paper does so by utilizing existing methods proposed for other metric classes in partition testing literature. After defining and reviewing common input metrics, we begin with a short case study revealing that typical empirical comparison strategies are fundamentally insufficient for comparing metrics. Then, we demonstrate how one rigorously improves a standard metric by defining and implementing $k$-alt-path, a new metric which reduces redundancy while improving sensitivity over $k$-path. Each of the other common input metrics are then systematically compared before discussing the implications of our findings. With these contributions, we bring forward partition testing analysis methods that justify and form a strategy for future research in refining input metrics.

Thu 10 SeptSoftware EngineeringFormal Languages and Automata Theory
The gist
Software testers use input metrics to measure how well their tests cover different input features. This paper looks at many of these metrics and finds that common ways to compare them don't work well. The authors create a better metric called k-alt-path that reduces overlap and detects differences more effectively. They then compare other input metrics systematically and suggest ways to improve future testing measures.
Open 2609.11824v1

JarvisGUI enables coordinated workflows across multiple devices

JarvisGUI: Towards Cross-Device GUI Agents with Dynamic Task Composition

Abstract: Real-world GUI usage frequently involves workflows that span multiple devices and platforms, requiring the transfer of intermediate results, maintenance of shared state, and coordination across heterogeneous environments. However, existing GUI benchmarks overwhelmingly evaluate agents on single-device, statically defined tasks, thus leaving such cross-device capabilities largely unexamined, resulting in an overly optimistic assessment of agents' readiness for real-world usage. We introduce JarvisGUI, a dynamic benchmark that evaluates GUI agents on cross-device workflows requiring coordinated interaction across heterogeneous platforms, including Android, Windows, and Ubuntu. Specifically, JarvisGUI formulates GUI tasks as input-output transformations under a lightweight type system, which allows us to automatically compose multi-step, cross-device workflows and dynamically evaluate agent performance within a unified framework. By evaluating agents in virtual environments spanning multiple operating systems, JarvisGUI reveals that state-of-the-art open-source GUI agents struggle with the state-transfer awareness, cross-platform contextual reasoning, and long-horizon dependency management required for real-world workflows, exposing a critical capability gap invisible to existing benchmarks.

Wed 9 SeptArtificial Intelligence
The gist
Many tasks people do on computers involve working across different devices like phones, laptops, and desktops, but most testing for computer helpers only looks at one device at a time. The authors created JarvisGUI, a system that tests how well these helpers can work across several devices and operating systems by combining tasks in new ways. They found that current helpers struggle with remembering what happened on one device when moving to another and managing complicated, multi-step tasks. This shows that these helpers need to improve before they can help with real-world multi-device workflows.
Open 2609.10451v1