The Home Page of Rob Hierons

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The Home Page of Rob Hierons The Home Page of Rob Hierons

Professor of Computing, School of Information Systems, Computing and Mathematics, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK, UB8 3PH,
rob.hierons@brunel.ac.uk, phone +44 (0) 1895 266002

Brief Details

I received a BA in Mathematics (Trinity College, Cambridge), and a Ph.D. in Computer Science (Brunel University). I then joined the Department of Mathematical and Computing Sciences at Goldsmiths College, University of London, as a lecturer in computer science before returning to Brunel University. Together with Mark Harman I founded the ATeSST group at Brunel. I co-chaired the 16th IFIP TC 6 / WG 6.1 International Conference on Testing of Communicating Systems (TestCom 2004).

I am a member of the BCS and a Senior Member of the IEEE. I am a member of the EPSRC FORTEST, SEMINAL, and ASTReNeT networks. I am also involved in the Marie Curie Research Training Network TAROT (Training And Research On Testing) and have a vacancy for an Early Stage Researcher within this. I am involved in a number of ATeSST projects.

My current research interests include:

specification based testing and model based testing including testing (possibly non-deterministic or concurrent) state-based systems;
adaptive testing and the ordering of adaptive test cases;
testing distributed systems;
testing from a state-based specification (such as a finite state machine);
testing from a Z specification;
testability transformation;
mutation testing;
comparing test techniques;
Using metaheuristic algorithms in software engineering;
program slicing;
program schemas .

Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in studying for a Ph.D in one of these topics (we sometimes have bursaries).

Journal Publications

R. M. Hierons, Avoiding Coincidental Correctness in Boundary Value Analysis, ACM Transactions on Software Engineering and Methodology (to appear).

R. M. Hierons, Applying adaptive test cases to nondeterministic implementations, Information Processing Letters (to appear).

R. M. Hierons, Separating Sequence Overlap for Automated Test Sequence Generation, Automated Software Engineering (to appear).
Q. Guo, R. M. Hierons, M. Harman, and K. Derderian, Improved Test Quality Using Robust Unique Input/Output Circuit Sequences (UIOCs), Information and Software Technology (to appear).
S. Danicic, M. Daoudi, C. Fox, M. Harman, R. M. Hierons, J. Howroyd, L. Ourabya, and M. Ward ConSUS: a light-weight program conditioner, Journal of Systems and Software (to appear).
N. E. Gold, M. Harman, D. Binkley, and R. M. Hierons, 2005, Unifying program slicing and concept assignment for source code extraction, Software Practice and Experience, 35 10, pp. 997-1006.
S. Danicic, C. J. Fox, M. Harman, R. M. Hierons, J. Howroyd, and M. R. Laurence, 2005, Static Program Slicing Algorithms are Minimal for Free Liberal Program Schemas, The Computer Journal, 48 6, pp. 737-748.
Q. Guo, R. M. Hierons, M. Harman, and K. Derderian, 2005, Construct Multiple Unique Input/Output Sequences Using Metaheuristic Optimisation Techniques, IEE Proceedings – Software, 152 3, pp.127-140.
R. M. Hierons, M. Harman, and C. J. Fox, 2005, Branch-coverage testability transformation for unstructured programs, The Computer Journal, 48 4, pp. 421-436.
R. M. Hierons, 2004, Testing from a Non-Deterministic Finite State Machine Using Adaptive State Counting, IEEE Transactions on Computers, 53 10, pp. 1330-1342.
R.M. Hierons and M. Harman, 2004, Testing conformance of a deterministic implementation to a non-deterministic stream X-machine, Theoretical Computer Science, 323 1-3, pp. 191-233.
R. M. Hierons, 2004, Using a minimal number of resets when testing from a finite state machine, Information Processing Letters, 90 6, pp. 287-292.
R. M. Hierons, T.-H. Kim, and H. Ural, 2004, On The Testability of SDL Specifications, Computer Networks, 44 5, pp. 681-700.
M. Harman, L. Hu, R. M. Hierons, J. Wegener, H. Sthamer, A. Baresel, and M. Roper, 2004, Testability Transformation, IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering, 30 1, pp. 3-16.
C. Fox, S. Danicic, M. Harman and R. M. Hierons, 2004, ConSIT: A fully automated conditioned program slicer, Software Practice and Experience, 34 1, pp. 15-46.
J. Clark, J. J. Dolado, M. Harman, R. M. Hierons, B. Jones, M. Lumkin, B. Mitchell, S. Mancoridis, K. Rees, M. Roper and M. Shepperd, 2003, Reformulating Software Engineering as a Search Problem, IEE Proceedings – Software, 150 3, pp. 161-175.
R. M. Hierons and H. Ural, 2003, UIO Sequence Based Checking Sequences for Distributed Test Architectures, Information and Software Technology, 45 12, pp. 793-803.
R. M. Hierons, 2003, Using Candidates to test a Deterministic Implementation against a Non-deterministic Finite State Machine, The Computer Journal, 46 3, pp.307-318.
R.M. Hierons, 2002, Comparing test sets and criteria in the presence of test hypotheses and fault domains, ACM Transactions on Software Engineering and Methodology, 11 4, pp. 427-448.
M. Laurence, S. Danicic, M. Harman, R. M. Hierons, and J. D. Howroyd, 2002, Equivalence of Conservative, Free, Linear Schemas is Decidable, Theoretical Computer Science, 290 1, pp. 831-862.
R. M. Hierons and H. Ural, 2002, Reduced Length Checking Sequences , IEEE Transactions on Computers, 51 9, pp. 1111-1117.
R. M. Hierons, M. Harman, C. J. Fox, M. Daoudi, and L. Ouarbya, 2002, Conditioned slicing supports partition testing , The Journal of Software Testing, Verification and Reliability , 12 1, pp. 23-28.
M. Harman and R. M. Hierons, 2001, An overview of Program Slicing, Software Focus, 2 3, pp. 85-92.
R. M. Hierons, 2001, Testing a distributed system: generating minimal synchronised test sequences that detect output-shifting faults , Information and Software Technology , 43 9, pp. 551-560.
R. M. Hierons, 2001, Checking States and Transitions of a set of Communicating Finite State Machines , Microprocessors and Microsystems, Special Issue on Testing and testing techniques for real-time embedded software systems, 24 9, pp. 443-452.
R. M. Hierons, S. Sadeghipour, and H. Singh, 2001, Testing a System specified using Statecharts and Z, Information and Software Technology, 43 2, pp. 137-149.
R. M. Hierons and M. Harman, 2000, Testing conformance to a quasi-non-deterministic stream X-machine, Formal Aspects of Computing, 12 6, pp. 423-442.
R.M. Hierons, M. Harman and S. Danicic, 1999, Using Program Slicing to Assist in the Detection of Equivalent Mutants, The Journal of Software Testing, Verification, and Reliability, 9 4, pp. 233-262.
R.M. Hierons, 1999, Minimizing the cost of Fault Location when testing from a Finite State Machine, Computer Communications, 22 2, pp. 120-127.
R.M. Hierons, 1998, Adaptive Testing of a Deterministic Implementation Against a Nondeterministic Finite State Machine, The Computer Journal, 41 5, pp. 349-355.
M.P. Wiper, D. Ríos Insua and R.M. Hierons, 1998, Bayesian Inference and Optimal Release Times for Two Software Failure Models, Revista De La Real Academia de Ciencias: Exactas, Fisiscas Y Naturales, 92 4, pp. 323-328.
H. Edwards, R.M. Hierons, and B. Jackson, 1998, The Zero-free Intervals for Characteristic Polynomials of Matroids, The Journal of Combinatorics, Probability, and Computing, 7 2, pp. 153-165.
R.M. Hierons, 1997, Testing from semi-independent communicating finite state machines with a slow environment, IEE Proceedings on Software Engineering, 144 5-6, pp. 291-295.
R.M. Hierons, 1997, Testing From a Finite State Machine: Extending Invertibility to Sequences, The Computer Journal, 40 4, pp. 220-230.
R.M. Hierons and M.P. Wiper, 1997, Estimation of Failure Rate using Random and Partition Testing, The Journal of Software Testing, Verification, and Reliability, 7 3, pp. 153-164.
R.M. Hierons, 1997, Testing from a Z specification, The Journal of Software Testing, Verification, and Reliability, 7 1, pp. 19-33.
R.M. Hierons, 1996, Extending Test Sequence Overlap by Invertibility, The Computer Journal, 39 4, pp. 325-330.

Refereed Conferences and Workshops

D. Fatiregun, M. Harman, and R. M. Hierons, 2005, Search-Based Amorphous Slicing, IEEE Working Conference on Reverse Engineering (WCRE 2005), to appear.
J. Chen, R. M. Hierons, and H. Ural, 2005, Resolving observability problems in distributed test architectures, 25th IFIP International Conference on Formal Techniques for Networked and Distributed Systems (FORTE 2005), LNCS volume 3731, pp. 219-232.
K. Derderian, R. M. Hierons, M. Harman, 2005, Generating feasible input sequences for extended finite state machines (EFSMs) using Genetic Algorithms, AAAI Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference 2005 (GECCO 2005), (to appear as poster paper).
J Chen, R. M. Hierons, H. Ural, and H. Yenigun, 2005, Eliminating Redundant Tests in a Checking Sequence, 17th IFIP International Conference on Testing Communicating Systems (TestCom 2005), Montreal, Canada, LNCS volume 3502, pp. 23-39.
L. Hu, M. Harman, R. M. Hierons, and D. W. Binkley, 2004, Loop Squashing Transformations for Amorphous Slicing, IEEE Working Conference on Reverse Engineering (WCRE'2004), pp.152-160.
D. Fatiregun, M. Harman and R. M. Hierons, 2004, Evolving Transformation Sequences using Genetic Algorithms, 4th Workshop on Source Code Analysis and Manipulation (SCAM 2004), September 14th-15th, 2004, Chicago, Illinois, USA, pp. 65-74.
M. Harman, D. Binkley, R. Singh and R. M. Hierons, 2004, Amorphous Procedure Extraction, 4th Workshop on Source Code Analysis and Manipulation (SCAM 2004), September 14th-15th, 2004, Chicago, Illinois, USA, pp. 85-94.
J. Chen, R. M. Hierons, and H. Ural, 2004, Conditions for Resolving Observability Problems in Distributed Testing, 24rd IFIP International Conference on Formal Techniques for Networked and Distributed Systems (FORTE 2004), Madrid, 27-30 September 2004, LNCS volume 2767, pages 229-242.
K. Adamopoulos, M. Harman, R. M. Hierons, 2004, Mutation Testing Using Genetic Algorithms: A Co-evolution Approach, AAAI Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference 2004 (GECCO 2004), pp. 1338-1349.
K. Derderian, R. M. Hierons, M. Harman, 2004, Input sequence generation for testing of communicating finite state machines (CFSMs) using genetic algorithms, AAAI Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference 2004 (GECCO 2004), (to appear as poster paper).
Q. Guo, R.M. Hierons, M. Harman and K. Derderian, 2003, Computing Unique Input/Output Sequences Using Genetic Algorithms, 3rd Formal Approaches to Testing (FATES’03), 6th October 2003), published in LNCS volume 2931, pp. 164-177 (2004)..
R.M. Hierons and H. Ural, 2003, Concerning the ordering of adaptive test sequences, 23rd IFIP International Conference on Formal Techniques for Networked and Distributed Systems (FORTE 2003), Berlin, 29 September-2 October 2003, LNCS volume 2767, pp. 289-302 (won Best Paper Award).
K. Mahdavi, M. Harman and R.M. Hierons, 2003, A Multiple Hill Climbing Approach to Software Module Clustering, 19th IEEE International Conference on Software Maintenance (ICSM 2003), Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 22-26 September 2003, pp. 315-324.
R.M. Hierons, M. Harman, and H. Singh, 2003, Automatically generating information from a Z specification to support the Classification Tree Method, 3rd International Conference of B and Z Users, June 4-6, 2003, LNCS volume 2651, pages 388-407.
A. De Lucia, M. Harman, R. Hierons, and J. Krinke, 2003, Unions of slices are not slices, IEEE Conference on Software Maintenance and Reengineering (CSMR 2003), Benevento, Italy, March 26-28, 2003, pp. 363-367.
M. Harman, L. Hu, R. M. Hierons, X. Zhang, M. Munro, J. J. Dolado, M. C. Otero, and J. Wegener, 2002 A Post-Placement Side-Effect Removal Algorithm, IEEE International Conference on Software Maintenance (ICSM 2002) Montreal, Canada, October 2002, pp. 2-11.
M. Harman, C. J. Fox, R. M. Hierons, L. Hu, S. Danicic and J. Wegener, 2002, VADA: A Transformation-based System for Variable Dependence Analysis, 2nd IEEE International Workshop on Source Code Analysis and Manipulation, 1st October 2002. Montreal, Canada, pp. 55-64.
M. Harman, L. Hu, R. M. Hierons, C. Fox, S. Danicic, Andre Baresel, Harmen Sthamer, and Joachim Wegener, 2002, Evolutionary Testing Supported by Slicing and Transformation, IEEE International Conference on Software Maintenance (ICSM 2002) Montreal, Canada, October 2002, pp. 285.
R.M. Hierons, T.-H. Kim, and H. Ural, 2002, Expanding an Extended Finite State Machine to aid Testability, IEEE Annual Computer Software and Applications Conference (COMPSAC 2002), August 2002, pp. 334-339.
J. Bowen, K. Bogdanov, J. Clark, M. Harman, R. M. Hierons and P. Krause, 2002, FORTEST: Formal Methods and Testing (panel), 26th IEEE Computer Software and Applications Conference (COMPSAC 2002), Oxford, England, August 2002, pp. 91-101.
M. Harman, L. Hu, R.M. Hierons, A. Baresel and H. Sthamer, 2002, Improving Evolutionary Testing by Flag Removal, AAAI Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference 2002 (GECCO 2002). New York, USA, July 9th-13th 2002, pp. 1351-1358.
M. Harman, R.M. Hierons and M. Proctor, 2002, A New Representation and Crossover Operation for Search-Based Optimization of Software Modularization, AAAI Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference 2002 (GECCO 2002) . New York, USA, July 9th-13th 2002, pp. 1359-1366.
M. Harman, N. Gold, R. M. Hierons, 2002, Code Extraction Algorithms which Unify Slicing and Concept Assignment, Working Conference on Reverse Engineering (WCRE 2002), October 28 - November 1, Richmond, Virginia, USA, pp. 11-21.
M. Harman, R. M. Hierons, S. Danicic, M. Laurence, J. Howroyd and C. Fox, 2001, Node Coarsening Calculi for Program Slicing, IEEE Working Conference on Reverse Engineering (WCRE'2001), 2-5 October 2001 at Stuttgart, Germany, pp.25-34.
M. Harman, R. M. Hierons, C. Fox, S. Danicic, and J. Howroyd, 2001, Pre/Post Conditioned Slicing, IEEE International Conference on Software Maintenance (ICSM'2001), Florence, Italy, November 6th-10th, pp.138-147.
S. Danicic, C. Fox, M. Harman and R. Hierons, 2001 Backward Conditioning: a new program specialisation technique and its application to program comprehension, IEEE International Workshop on Program Comprehension (IWPC 2001). Toronto, Canada, May 12th-13th, 2001, pp.309-319.
S. Danicic, C. Fox, M. Harman and R. Hierons, 2000 ConSIT: A Conditioned Program Slicer IEEE International Conference on Software Maintenance (ICSM'2000). 4an Jose, California, USA, October 11-14, 2000, pp. 216-226.
R.M. Hierons and H. Ural, 2001, UIO Sequence Based Checking Sequences for Distributed Test Architectures, Concordia Prestigious Workshop on Communication Software Engineering, September 11-12, University of Concordia, Montreal, Canada.
M. Harman, R. M. Hierons and S. Danicic, 2000, The relationship between program dependence and mutation testing, Mutation 2000, San Jose, California, USA, October, 2000 pp. 15-23.
R.M. Hierons and M. Harman, 2000, Program analysis and test hypotheses complement, International Workshop on Automated Program Analysis, Testing and Verification, pp. 32-39.
S. Reid, M. Harman, R. Hierons, M. Holcombe, B. Jones, M. Roper, and M. Woodward, 1999, A Framework for Measurement in Software Testing , 7th European International Conference Software Testing Analysis & Review (EuroSTAR'99), Princesa Sophia Intercontinental Hotel, BARCELONA, Spain 8-12 November, 1999.
M. Harman, R. Hierons, M. Holcombe, B. Jones, S. Reid, M. Roper, and M. Woodward, 1999, Towards a Maturity Model for Empirical Studies of Software Testing, Fifth Workshop on Empirical Studies of Software Maintenance (WESS'99), Friday 3 - Saturday 4, September 1999 Keble College, Oxford, UK.
M. Harman, C. Fox, R. Hierons, D. Binkley, and S. Danicic, 1999, Program Simplification as a Means of Approximating Undecidable Propositions, 7th IEEE International Workshop on Program Comprehension (IWPC'99) , Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA, May 5th - 7th, pp. 208-217.

For copies of these papers, or more information on this page's author, please send an email to rob.hierons@brunel.ac.uk

Professional Activities include:

Journals:

Editorial board of The Journal of Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
Editorial board of The Journal of the Association for Software Testing.

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Last updated: 7th February 2005.

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