ECE Seminar: Mohamad Kassab

ECE Seminar: Mohamad Kassab

Title: Control Flow Testing

Abstract: Control Flow Testing is a fundamental white-box testing technique that focuses on analyzing how control moves through a software program. By examining the internal structure of code, it enables the systematic design of test cases that exercise the program’s logical decisions, branches, and execution paths.

The primary objective of control flow testing is to ensure that critical control structures, such as conditionals and loops, are thoroughly validated. By strategically selecting test cases that traverse different execution paths, this approach helps uncover hidden defects in program logic, improving software robustness and reliability.

In this lecture, we will explore how control flow structures can be modeled using Control Flow Graphs (CFGs) and how these models support systematic test design. We will examine key coverage criteria, including statement coverage, branch coverage, and path-based strategies, and discuss their practical trade-offs in terms of effectiveness and cost.

Through illustrative examples and practical insights, participants will learn how to design efficient test suites that maximize defect detection while avoiding redundant effort. The lecture will also highlight how these foundational testing principles remain highly relevant in modern software systems, including AI-driven applications where ensuring reliability is increasingly critical.

By the end of the session, participants will gain a clear understanding of how to apply control flow testing techniques to design more rigorous and effective testing strategies in real-world software engineering contexts.

Bio: Dr. Mohamad Kassab is an Associate Professor of Practice in Computer Science at Boston University whose work sits at the intersection of software engineering, artificial intelligence, and human–AI interaction. He earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Concordia University, focusing on quantitative modeling of non-functional requirements, and has since built an internationally recognized research program on trustworthy AI-driven software systems. His work advances empirically grounded methods for requirements engineering, software architecture, and software testing in AI-enabled environments, with recent contributions in multi-LLM systems, prompt engineering, and AI assurance, including collaborations with the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Dr. Kassab has published extensively in leading venues such as ICSE, ASE, FSE, and IEEE journals, and is co-author of widely adopted books including Requirements Engineering for Software and Systems and What Every Engineer Should Know About Software Engineering, both used internationally and referenced in professional practice. With over 15 years of academic experience across Boston University, Penn State, Carnegie Mellon, and NYU Abu Dhabi, he has designed and delivered more than 40 courses, including fully online programs, and supervised numerous research projects at the intersection of AI and software engineering. Prior to academia, he held senior engineering and leadership roles at SAP, Morgan Stanley, Nokia, and Citibank, leading large-scale software quality and system integration initiatives, experience that continues to shape his leadership in advancing modern, industry-aligned, AI-driven software engineering education.