Professor Rob Hierons | Computer Science | The University of Sheffield

Professor Rob Hierons | Computer Science | The University of Sheffield
School of Computer Science
School of Computer Science
Professor
Rob
Hierons
BA, PhD
School of Computer Science
Chair in Testing
Member of the AI x Software Engineering & Testing research group
R.Hierons@sheffield.ac.uk
Regent Court (CS)
Full contact details
Professor Rob Hierons
School of Computer Science
Regent Court (CS)
211 Portobello
Sheffield
S1 4DP
Orcid ID:0000-0002-4771-1446
Profile
Rob Hierons received a BA in Mathematics (Trinity College, Cambridge), and a Ph.D. in Computer Science (Brunel University). He then joined the Department of Mathematical and Computing Sciences at Goldsmiths College, University of London, before returning to Brunel University in 2000.
He was promoted to full Professor in 2003 and joined The University of Sheffield in 2018.
Research interests
Professor Hierons’ research largely concerns software testing. The main aim of this research is to devise automated techniques (and tools) that generate efficient, systematic test suites on the basis of program code, models or specifications.
Progress in this area can help industry to produce higher quality software and potentially to do so more quickly. He has recently become interested in the testing of autonomous systems, with a particular focus on robotics.
Publications
Books
(2021)
Software Engineering for Robotics
. Springer International Publishing.
Hierons RM & Mosbah M (2019)
Preface
Hierons RM, Merayo MG & Bravetti M (2013)
Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics): Preface
Groz R & Hierons RM (2004)
Preface
Journal articles
Cavalcanti A & Hierons RM (2026)
Reactive model-based testing of cyclic systems
ACM Transactions on Computational Logic
View this article in WRRO
Shaw N, Pennada S, Hierons RM & Shin D (2026)
A Systematic Mapping Study on the Debugging of Autonomous Driving Systems..
CoRR
, abs/2601.04293.
Hierons R, Merayo MG & Nunez M (2026)
Combining sequential test cases into an equivalent set of adaptive test cases
Journal of Logical and Algebraic Methods in Programming
, 148.
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Türker UC, Hierons RM, Mousavi MR & El-Fakih K (2025)
Efficient State Identification for Finite State Machine-Based Testing..
IEEE Trans. Software Eng.
, 51, 2996-3012.
Turker U, Hierons R, Mousavi MR & El-Fakih K (2025)
Efficient state identification for finite state machine-based testing
IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering
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Rafiq Y, James BA, Xu K, Hierons RM & Dogramadzi S (2025)
Hybrid Control Strategies for Safe and Adaptive Robot-Assisted Dressing..
CoRR
, abs/2505.07710.
Foster M, Clark A, Wild C, Allian F, Turner R, Somers R, Latimer N, Walkinshaw N & Hierons RM (2025)
The causal testing framework
Journal of Open Source Software
, 10(107).
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Hierons RM & Mousavi MR (2025)
Complete FSM Testing Using Strong Separability..
CoRR
, abs/2502.04035.
Hierons R (2025)
Configuration testing of an artificial pancreas system using a digital twin: an evaluative case study
Software Testing Verification and Reliability
, 35(2).
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Elgendy IT, Hierons RM & McMinn P (2025)
A systematic mapping study of the metrics, uses and subjects of diversity‐based testing techniques
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 35(2).
View this article in WRRO
Gazda M & Hierons RM (2025)
Model independent refusal trace testing
Science of Computer Programming
, 239.
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Turker UC, Hierons RM, El-Fakih K, Mousavi MR & Tyukin IY (2024)
Accelerating finite state machine-based testing using reinforcement learning
IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering
, 50(3), 574-597.
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Clark AG, Foster M, Prifling B, Walkinshaw N, Hierons RM, Schmidt V & Turner RD (2024)
Testing Causality in Scientific Modelling Software..
ACM Trans. Softw. Eng. Methodol.
, 33, 10:1-10:1.
Turker UC, Hierons RM, Barlas G & El-Fakih K (2023)
Incomplete adaptive distinguishing sequences for non-deterministic FSMs
IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering
, 49(9), 4371-4389.
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Núñez M, Hierons R & Lefticaru R (2023)
Implementation relations and testing for cyclic systems: adding probabilities
Robotics and Autonomous Systems
, 165.
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Baxter J, Cavalcanti A, Gazda M & Hierons RM (2023)
Testing using CSP Models: Time, Inputs, and Outputs..
ACM Trans. Comput. Log.
, 24, 17:1-17:1.
Walkinshaw N & Hierons R (2023)
Modelling second-order uncertainty in state machines
IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering
, 49(5), 3261-3276.
View this article in WRRO
Mousavi MR, Cavalcanti A, Fisher M, Dennis L, Hierons R, Kaddouh B, Law E, Richardson R, Ringert JO, Tyukin I & Woodcock J (2023)
Trustworthy autonomous systems through verifiability
Computer
, 56(2), 40-47.
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Baxter J, Cavalcanti A, Gazda M & Hierons R (2023)
Testing using CSP models: time, inputs, and outputs
ACM Transactions on Computational Logic
, 24(2).
View this article in WRRO
Gazda M & Hierons R (2023)
Removing redundant refusals: minimal complete test suites for failure trace semantics
Information and Computation
, 291.
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Elgendy IT, Hierons RM & McMinn P (2023)
A Survey of the Metrics, Uses, and Subjects of Diversity-Based Techniques in Software Testing..
CoRR
, abs/2311.09714.
Somers RJ, Douthwaite JA, Wagg DJ, Walkinshaw N & Hierons RM (2023)
Digital-twin-based testing for cyber–physical systems: a systematic literature review
Information and Software Technology
, 156.
View this article in WRRO
Hierons RM (2022)
Farewell after an 11‐year journey as joint editor‐in‐chief
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 32(4).
Hierons RM & Xie T (2022)
Metamorphic testing and test automation
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 32(3).
Hierons RM & Xie T (2022)
Combinatorial testing and model‐based testing
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 32(2).
Hierons RM & Xie T (2022)
Model checking, testing and debugging
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 32(1).
Patel K, Hierons R & Clark D (2022)
An information theoretic notion of software testability
Information and Software Technology
, 143.
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Hierons RM & Xie T (2021)
Property generation/verification and empirical studies
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 31(8).
Hierons RM & Xie T (2021)
Adaptive or embedded software testing and mutation testing
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 31(7).
Hierons RM & Xie T (2021)
Editorial: Verification, reliability and performance
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 31(6).
Hierons RM & Mosbah M (2021)
Preface
Theoretical Computer Science
, 880, 138-138.
Turker UC, Hierons R & Jourdan G-V (2021)
Minimizing characterizing sets
Science of Computer Programming
, 208.
View this article in WRRO
Clark A, Walkinshaw N & Hierons R (2021)
Test case generation for agent-based models : a systematic literature review
Information and Software Technology
, 135.
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Hierons RM & Xie T (2021)
Editorial: Testing, Debugging, and Defect Prediction
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 31(5).
El-Fakih K, Hierons R & Turker UC (2021)
Κ-branching UIO sequences for partially specified observable non-deterministic FSMs.
IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering
, 47(5), 1029-1040.
Ibias A, Nunez M & Hierons RM (2021)
Using mutual information to test from finite state machines: test suite selection
Information and Software Technology
, 132.
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Nunez A, Canizares P, Nunez M & Hierons R (2021)
TEA-Cloud: A formal framework for testing cloud computing system
IEEE Transactions on Reliability
, 70(1), 261-284.
View this article in WRRO
Lefticaru R, Hierons R & Nunez M (2020)
Implementation relations and testing for cyclic systems with refusals and discrete time
Journal of Systems and Software
, 170.
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Hierons RM & Xie T (2020)
Peer Reviewing in Software Engineering
ACM SIGSOFT Software Engineering Notes
, 45(4), 18-18.
Lima B, Faria JP & Hierons R (2020)
Local observability and controllability analysis and enforcement in distributed testing with time constraints
IEEE Access
, 8, 167172-167191.
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Hierons RM & Xie T (2020)
On automation in software engineering
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 30(6).
Hierons RM & Xie T (2020)
Conference Virtualization
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 30(4-5).
Cavalcanti A, Hierons RM & Nogueira S (2020)
Inputs and outputs in CSP : a model and a testing theory
ACM Transactions on Computational Logic
, 21(3).
View this article in WRRO
Hierons RM & Xie T (2020)
Working Across Boundaries
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 30(3).
Medina-Bulo I, Merayo MG & Hierons RM (2020)
Guest Editorial: Special Section on ICTSS
Information and Software Technology
, 118, 106222-106222.
Hierons R, Li M, Liu X, Parejo JA, Segura S & Yao X (2020)
Many-objective test suite generation for software product lines
ACM Transactions on Software Engineering and Methodology
, 29(1).
View this article in WRRO
Patel K & Hierons RM (2019)
A partial oracle for uniformity statistics
Software Quality Journal
, 27(4), 1419-1447.
Hierons RM (2019)
The world changes
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 29(6-7).
Clark D, Hierons R & Patel K (2019)
Normalised squeeziness and failed error propagation
Information Processing Letters
, 149, 6-9.
View this article in WRRO
Alberto I, Hierons R & Manuel N (2019)
Using Squeeziness to test component-based systems defined as Finite State Machines
Information and Software Technology
, 112, 132-147.
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Hierons R (2019)
FSM quasi-equivalence testing via reduction and observing absence
Science of Computer Programming
, 177, 1-18.
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Patel K & Hierons RM (2018)
A mapping study on testing non-testable systems.
Software Quality Journal
, 26(4), 1373-1413.
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Merayo MG, Hierons RM & Nunez M (2018)
A tool supported methodology to passively test asynchronous systems with multiple users
Information and Software Technology
, 104, 162-178.
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Aichernig BK, Furia CA, Gaudel M-C & Hierons R (2018)
Special section of Tests and Proofs 2016
Formal Aspects of Computing
, 30(6), 627-628.
Merayo MG, Hierons RM & Nunez M (2018)
Passive testing with asynchronous communications and timestamps
Distributed Computing
, 31(5), 327-342.
View this article in WRRO
Hierons RM, Merayo MG & Nunez M (2018)
Bounded reordering in the distributed test architecture
IEEE Transactions on Reliability
, 67(2), 522-537.
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Dongol B & Hierons RM (2017)
Decidability and complexity for quiescent consistency and its variations
Information and Computation
, 257, 1-21.
Hierons RM (2017)
Testing from partial finite state machines without harmonised traces
IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering
, 43(11), 1033-1043.
View this article in WRRO
Hierons RM & Núñez M (2017)
Implementation relations and probabilistic schedulers in the distributed test architecture
Journal of Systems and Software
, 132, 319-335.
Hierons RM & Türker UC (2017)
Parallel Algorithms for Generating Distinguishing Sequences for Observable Non-deterministic FSMs
ACM Transactions on Software Engineering and Methodology
, 26(1), 1-34.
Hierons RM (2017)
How to manage a conference special issue
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 27(3).
Danicic S, Hierons RM & Laurence MR (2017)
Characterizing Minimal Semantics-preserving Slices of predicate-linear, Free, Liberal Program Schemas..
CoRR
, abs/1705.09615.
Danicic S, Hierons RM & Laurence MR (2017)
On the computational complexity of dynamic slicing problems for program schemas..
CoRR
, abs/1705.07686.
Hierons RM, Merayo MG & Núñez M (2017)
An extended framework for passive asynchronous testing
Journal of Logical and Algebraic Methods in Programming
, 86(1), 408-424.
Hierons RM & Türker UC (2017)
Distinguishing Sequences for Distributed Testing: Preset Distinguishing Sequences
The Computer Journal
, 60(1), 110-125.
Bravetti M, Hierons RM & Merayo MG (2017)
Introduction to the Software Engineering and Formal Methods 2013 special issue
Software & Systems Modeling
, 16(1), 5-6.
Hierons RM & Turker UC (2016)
Parallel Algorithms for Testing Finite State Machines:Generating UIO Sequences
IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering
, 42(11), 1077-1091.
View this article in WRRO
Hierons RM & Turker UC (2016)
Parallel Algorithms for Generating Harmonised State Identifiers and Characterising Sets
IEEE Transactions on Computers
, 65(11), 3370-3383.
Hierons RM, Li M, Liu X, Segura S & Zheng W (2016)
SIP: Optimal Product Selection from Feature Models Using Many-Objective Evolutionary Optimization
ACM Transactions on Software Engineering and Methodology
, 25(2).
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Zheng W, Hierons RM, Li M, Liu X & Vinciotti V (2016)
Multi-objective optimisation for regression testing
Information Sciences
, 334-335, 1-16.
Hierons RM & Türker UC (2016)
Distinguishing Sequences for Distributed Testing: Adaptive Distinguishing Sequences
The Computer Journal
, 59(8), 1186-1206.
Hierons RM (2016)
The dreaded desk reject
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 26(1), 3-3.
Hierons RM & Cengiz Türker U (2015)
Incomplete Distinguishing Sequences for Finite State Machines
The Computer Journal
, 58(11), 3089-3113.
Nabulsi MA & Hierons RM (2015)
A Test Framework for Communications-Critical Large-Scale Systems
IEEE Software
, 32(3), 86-93.
Farchi E, Hierons RM & Lourenço J (2015)
Special issue on testing, analysis and debugging of concurrent programs
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 25(3), 165-166.
Hierons RM (2015)
Generating Complete Controllable Test Suites for Distributed Testing
IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering
, 41(3), 279-293.
Núñez A & Hierons RM (2015)
A methodology for validating cloud models using metamorphic testing
annals of telecommunications - annales des télécommunications
, 70(3-4), 127-135.
Hierons RM (2014)
Combining Centralised and Distributed Testing
ACM Transactions on Software Engineering and Methodology
, 24(1), 1-29.
Segura S, Parejo JA, Hierons RM, Benavides D & Ruiz-Cortés A (2014)
Automated generation of computationally hard feature models using evolutionary algorithms
Expert Systems with Applications
, 41(8), 3975-3992.
Hierons RM, Merayo MG & Núñez M (2014)
Timed implementation relations for the distributed test architecture
Distributed Computing
, 27(3), 181-201.
Dan H & Hierons RM (2014)
The Oracle Problem When Testing from MSCs
The Computer Journal
, 57(7), 987-1001.
Khan IA, Brinkman W-P & Hierons R (2013)
Towards estimating computer users’ mood from interaction behaviour with keyboard and mouse
Frontiers of Computer Science
, 7(6), 943-954.
Hierons RM (2013)
Verifying and Comparing Finite State Machines for Systems that Have Distributed Interfaces
IEEE Transactions on Computers
, 62(8), 1673-1683.
Androutsopoulos K, Clark D, Harman M, Hierons RM, Li Z & Tratt L (2013)
Amorphous Slicing of Extended Finite State Machines
IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering
, 39(7), 892-909.
AbouTrab MS, Brockway M, Counsell S & Hierons RM (2013)
Testing Real-Time Embedded Systems using Timed Automata based approaches
Journal of Systems and Software
, 86(5), 1209-1223.
Hierons RM & Merayo MG (2013)
Guest Editorial: Special Section from the 11th International Conference on Quality Software (QSIC 2011)
Information and Software Technology
, 55(5), 865-865.
Hierons RM (2013)
Implementation Relations for Testing Through Asynchronous Channels
The Computer Journal
, 56(11), 1305-1319.
Núñez A, Merayo MG, Hierons RM & Núñez M (2013)
Using genetic algorithms to generate test sequences for complex timed systems
Soft Computing
, 17(2), 301-315.
Dan H, Hierons RM & Counsell S (2012)
A framework for pathologies of message sequence charts
Information and Software Technology
, 54(11), 1283-1295.
Hierons RM (2012)
The complexity of asynchronous model based testing
Theoretical Computer Science
, 451, 70-82.
Hierons RM & Núñez M (2012)
Using schedulers to test probabilistic distributed systems
Formal Aspects of Computing
, 24(4-6), 679-699.
Hierons RM (2012)
Oracles for Distributed Testing
IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering
, 38(3), 629-641.
Clark D & Hierons RM (2012)
Squeeziness: An information theoretic measure for avoiding fault masking
Information Processing Letters
, 112(8-9), 335-340.
Danicic S, Hierons RM & Laurence MR (2012)
Complexity of Data Dependence Problems for Program Schemas with Concurrency
ACM Transactions on Computational Logic
, 13(2), 1-18.
Dan H & Hierons RM (2012)
Controllability Problems in MSC-Based Testing
The Computer Journal
, 55(11), 1270-1287.
Hierons RM (2012)
Overcoming controllability problems in distributed testing from an input output transition system
Distributed Computing
, 25(1), 63-81.
Hierons RM, Merayo MG & Núñez M (2012)
Implementation relations and test generation for systems with distributed interfaces
Distributed Computing
, 25(1), 35-62.
DANICIC S, HIERONS RM & LAURENCE MR (2011)
On the computational complexity of dynamic slicing problems for program schemas
Mathematical Structures in Computer Science
, 21(6), 1339-1362.
Danicic S, Hierons RM & Laurence MR (2011)
Characterizing minimal semantics-preserving slices of predicate-linear, free, liberal program schemas
The Journal of Logic and Algebraic Programming
, 80(8), 481-496.
Hierons R (2011)
Controllable Testing from Nondeterministic Finite State Machines with Multiple Ports
IEEE Transactions on Computers
, 60(12), 1818-1822.
Segura S, Hierons RM, Benavides D & Ruiz-Cortés A (2011)
Mutation testing on an object-oriented framework: An experience report
Information and Software Technology
, 53(10), 1124-1136.
Mubarak A, Counsell S & Hierons RM (2011)
A Longitudinal Study of Fan-In and Fan-Out Coupling in Open-Source Systems
International Journal of Information System Modeling and Design
, 2(4), 1-26.
Segura S, Hierons RM, Benavides D & Ruiz-Cortés A (2011)
Automated metamorphic testing on the analyses of feature models
Information and Software Technology
, 53(3), 245-258.
Hierons RM, Merayo MG & Núñez M (2011)
Scenarios‐based testing of systems with distributed ports
Software: Practice and Experience
, 41(10), 999-1026.
Hierons RM & Mathur A (2011)
ICST 2008 Special Issue
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 21(1), 1-1.
Danicic S, Hierons RM & Laurence MR (2011)
Decidability of strong equivalence for subschemas of a class of linear, free, near-liberal program schemas
The Journal of Logic and Algebraic Programming
, 80(2), 92-112.
Kalaji AS, Hierons RM & Swift S (2011)
An integrated search-based approach for automatic testing from extended finite state machine (EFSM) models
Information and Software Technology
, 53(12), 1297-1318.
Hierons RM (2011)
Checking Finite State Machine Conformance when there are Distributed Observations.
CoRR
, abs/1108.5295.
Khan IA, Brinkman W-P & Hierons RM (2011)
Do moods affect programmers’ debug performance?
Cognition, Technology & Work
, 13(4), 245-258.
Merayo MG, Núñez M & Hierons RM (2011)
Testing timed systems modeled by Stream X-machines
Software & Systems Modeling
, 10(2), 201-217.
Counsell S, Hierons RM, Hamza H, Black S & Durrand M (2010)
Exploring the Eradication of Code Smells: An Empirical and Theoretical Perspective
Advances in Software Engineering
, 2010, 1-12.
Hierons RM (2010)
Reaching and Distinguishing States of Distributed Systems
SIAM Journal on Computing
, 39(8), 3480-3500.
Hierons RM (2010)
Checking experiments for stream X-machines
Theoretical Computer Science
, 411(37), 3372-3385.
Barraclough RW, Binkley D, Danicic S, Harman M, Hierons RM, Kiss Á, Laurence M & Ouarbya L (2010)
A trajectory-based strict semantics for program slicing
Theoretical Computer Science
, 411(11-13), 1372-1386.
Barraclough RW, Binkley DW, Danicic S, Harman M, Hierons RM, Kiss Á, Laurence M & Ouarbya L (2010)
A trajectory-based strict semantics for program slicing.
Theor. Comput. Sci.
, 411, 1372-1386.
Parkinson ST, Hierons RM, Lycett M & Norman M (2010)
Practitioner-based measurement
Communications of the ACM
, 53(3), 142-147.
Hierons RM (2010)
Canonical finite state machines for distributed systems
Theoretical Computer Science
, 411(2), 566-580.
Counsell S, Hamza H & Hierons RM (2010)
An Empirical Investigation of Code Smell 'Deception' and Research Contextualisation through Paul's Criteria
Journal of Computing and Information Technology
, 18(4), 333-333.
Danicic S, Hierons RM & Laurence MR (2010)
Complexity of Data Dependence problems for Program Schemas with Concurrency.
CoRR
, abs/1007.3878.
Hierons RM & Ural H (2010)
Generating a checking sequence with a minimum number of reset transitions
Automated Software Engineering
, 17(3), 217-250.
Derderian K, Hierons RM, Harman M & Guo Q (2010)
Estimating the feasibility of transition paths in extended finite state machines
Automated Software Engineering
, 17, 33-56.
View this article in WRRO
Hierons RM & Merayo MG (2009)
Mutation testing from probabilistic and stochastic finite state machines
Journal of Systems and Software
, 82(11), 1804-1818.
Hierons RM (2009)
Verdict functions in testing with a fault domain or test hypotheses
ACM Transactions on Software Engineering and Methodology
, 18(4), 1-19.
Hierons RM (2009)
Using status messages in the distributed test architecture
Information and Software Technology
, 51(7), 1123-1130.
Hierons RM & Ural H (2009)
Overcoming controllability problems with fewest channels between testers
Computer Networks
, 53(5), 680-690.
Hierons RM, Bogdanov K, Bowen JP, Cleaveland R, Derrick J, Dick J, Gheorghe M, Harman M, Kapoor K, Krause P , Luttgen G et al (2009)
Using formal specifications to support testing
ACM Computing Surveys
, 41(2).
View this article in WRRO
Hierons RM, Merayo MG & Núñez M (2009)
Testing from a stochastic timed system with a fault model
The Journal of Logic and Algebraic Programming
, 78(2), 98-115.
Hierons RM & Ural H (2009)
Correction to "Reduced Length Checking Sequences" [Sep 02 93-99]
IEEE Transactions on Computers
, 58(2), 287-287.
Hierons RM & Ipate F (2008)
Testing a deterministic implementation against a non-controllable non-deterministic stream X-machine
Formal Aspects of Computing
, 20(6), 597-617.
Hierons RM & Ural H (2008)
Checking sequences for distributed test architectures
Distributed Computing
, 21(3), 223-238.
Mubarak A, Counsell S, Hierons RM & Hassoun Y (2008)
Package evolvability and its relationship with refactoring
Electronic Communications of the Easst
, 8.
Li Z, Harman M & Hierons RM (2007)
Search Algorithms for Regression Test Case Prioritization
IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering
, 33(4), 225-237.
Danicic S, Harman M, Hierons R, Howroyd J & Laurence MR (2007)
Equivalence of linear, free, liberal, structured program schemas is decidable in polynomial time
Theoretical Computer Science
, 373(1-2), 1-18.
Hierons RM & Ural H (2007)
Reducing the cost of applying adaptive test cases
Computer Networks
, 51(1), 224-238.
Guo Q, Hierons RM, Harman M & Derderian K (2007)
Heuristics for fault diagnosis when testing from finite state machines
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 17(1), 41-57.
Hierons RM (2006)
Software Testing Foundations: A Study Guide for the Certified Tester Exam. By Andreas Spillner, Tilo Linz and Hans Schaefer. Published by dpunkt.verlag, Heidelberg, Germany, 2006. ISBN: 3‐89864‐363‐8, pp 266
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 16(4), 289-290.
White L, Offutt J, Yates D, Hierons R, Hennell M & Mitchell P (2006)
A Tribute to Martin Woodward
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 16(4), 209-211.
Robinson-Mallett C, Hierons RM & Liggesmeyer P (2006)
Achieving communication coverage in testing
ACM SIGSOFT Software Engineering Notes
, 31(6), 1-10.
McMinn P & Hierons RM (2006)
Editorial: Addressing industrial challenges—UKTest 2005 and beyond
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 16(3), 131-132.
Guo Q, Hierons RM, Harman M & Derderian K (2006)
Improving test quality using robust unique input/output circuit sequences (UIOCs)
Information and Software Technology
, 48(8), 696-707.
Hierons RM (2006)
Avoiding coincidental correctness in boundary value analysis
ACM Transactions on Software Engineering and Methodology
, 15(3), 227-241.
Chen J, Hierons RM & Ural H (2006)
Overcoming observability problems in distributed test architectures
Information Processing Letters
, 98(5), 177-182.
Hierons RM & Ural H (2006)
Optimizing the length of checking sequences
IEEE Transactions on Computers
, 55(5), 618-629.
Hierons RM (2006)
Applying adaptive test cases to nondeterministic implementations
Information Processing Letters
, 98(2), 56-60.
Hierons RM (2006)
Separating sequence overlap for automated test sequence generation
Automated Software Engineering
, 13(2), 283-301.
Derrick J, Harman M & Hierons RM (2006)
Guest Editorial
Formal Aspects of Computing
, 18(1), 1-2.
Guo Q, Hierons R, Harman M & Derderian K (2005)
Constructing multiple unique input/output sequences using metaheuristic optimisation techniques
IEE Proceedings Software
, 152(3), 127-140.
Danicic S, Fox C, Harman M, Hierons R, Howroyd J & Laurence MR (2005)
Static Program Slicing Algorithms are Minimal for Free Liberal Program Schemas
The Computer Journal
, 48(6), 737-748.
Gold NE, Harman M, Binkley D & Hierons RM (2005)
Unifying program slicing and concept assignment for higher‐level executable source code extraction
Software: Practice and Experience
, 35(10), 977-1006.
Hierons RM (2005)
Artificial Intelligence Methods In Software Testing. Edited by Mark Last, Abraham Kandel and Horst Bunke. Published by World Scientific Publishing, Singapore, Series in Machine Perception and Artificial Intelligence, Volume 56, 2004. ISBN: 981-238-854-0. pp. 208
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 15(2), 135-136.
Hierons RM (2005)
Editorial: Validating our findings
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 15(4), 209-210.
Hierons RM (2004)
Testing from a nondeterministic finite state machine using adaptive state counting
IEEE Transactions on Computers
, 53(10), 1330-1342.
Hierons RM & Harman M (2004)
Testing conformance of a deterministic implementation against a non-deterministic stream X-machine
Theoretical Computer Science
, 323(1-3), 191-233.
Clark J, Harman M & Hierons R (2004)
Software testing in the United Kingdom
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 14(3), 165-166.
Hierons RM (2004)
A flexible environment to evaluate state-based test techniques
ACM SIGSOFT Software Engineering Notes
, 29(5), 1-3.
Hierons RM (2004)
Using a minimal number of resets when testing from a finite state machine
Information Processing Letters
, 90(6), 287-292.
Hierons RM, Kim T-H & Ural H (2004)
On the testability of SDL specifications
Computer Networks
, 44(5), 681-700.
Hierons RM (2004)
Book Reviews
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 14(1), 72-73.
Harman M, Lin Hu , Hierons R, Wegener J, Sthamer H, Baresel A & Roper M (2004)
Testability transformation
IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering
, 30(1), 3-16.
Fox C, Danicic S, Harman M & Hierons RM (2004)
ON
SIT: a fully automated conditioned program slicer
Software: Practice and Experience
, 34(1), 15-46.
Hierons RM (2003)
Book Reviews
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 13(3), 197-198.
Hierons RM & Ural H (2003)
UIO sequence based checking sequences for distributed test architectures
Information and Software Technology
, 45(12), 793-803.
Hierons RM (2003)
Editorial: Testing in the large through the small?
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 13(3), 139-140.
Hierons RM (2003)
Generating Candidates When Testing a Deterministic Implementation against a Non-deterministic Finite-state Machine
The Computer Journal
, 46(3), 307-318.
Clarke J, Dolado JJ, Harman M, Hierons R, Jones B, Lumkin M, Mitchell B, Mancoridis S, Rees K, Roper M & Shepperd M (2003)
Reformulating software engineering as a search problem
IEE Proceedings - Software
, 150(3), 161-161.
Clark JA, Dolado JJ, Harman M, Hierons RM, Jones BF, Lumkin M, Mitchell BS, Mancoridis S, Rees K, Roper M & Shepperd MJ (2003)
Formulating software engineering as a search problem..
IEE Proc. Softw.
, 150, 161-175.
Laurence MR, Danicic S, Harman M, Hierons R & Howroyd J (2003)
Equivalence of conservative, free, linear program schemas is decidable
Theoretical Computer Science
, 290(1), 831-862.
Hierons RM (2002)
Comparing test sets and criteria in the presence of test hypotheses and fault domains
ACM Transactions on Software Engineering and Methodology
, 11(4), 427-448.
Hierons RM & Ural H (2002)
Reduced length checking sequences
IEEE Transactions on Computers
, 37(9), 1111-1117.
Hierons R (2002)
Editorial: Formal methods and testing
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 12(2), 69-70.
Hierons R, Harman M, Fox C, Ouarbya L & Daoudi M (2002)
Conditioned slicing supports partition testing
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 12(1), 23-28.
Harman M & Hierons R (2001)
An overview of program slicing
Software Focus
, 2(3), 85-92.
Hierons R (2001)
Spin Model Checking and Software Verification: Proceedings of the 7th International SPIN Workshop, Stanford, CA, U.S.A., August 30‐September 1, 2000. By Klaus Havelund, John Penix and Willem Visser (eds.). Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Volume 1885, Published by Springer‐Verlag, Berlin, Germany, 2000. ISBN: 3‐540‐41030‐9, 343 pages. Price: U.K. ?31.00, U.S.A. $62.00, Germany DM 90.00, Soft Cover.
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 11(3), 197-198.
Hierons RM (2001)
Testing a distributed system: generating minimal synchronised test sequences that detect output-shifting faults
Information and Software Technology
, 43(9), 551-560.
Hierons RM (2001)
Checking states and transitions of a set of communicating finite state machines
Microprocessors and Microsystems
, 24(9), 443-452.
Hierons RM, Sadeghipour S & Singh H (2001)
Testing a system specified using Statecharts and Z
Information and Software Technology
, 43(2), 137-149.
Hierons R & Derrick J (2000)
Editorial: special issue on specification-based testing
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 10(4), 201-202.
Hierons RM & Harman M (2000)
Testing Conformance to a Quasi-Non-Deterministic Stream X-Machine
Formal Aspects of Computing
, 12(6), 423-442.
Hierons R (2000)
Testing Object-Oriented Software: Life-Cycle Solutions. By Imran Bashir and Amrit L. Goel. Published by Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany, 2000. ISBN: 0-387-98896-3, 209 pages. Price: U.K. �37, U.S.A. $54.95, Germany DM 108, Hard Cover.
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 10(3), 196-196.
Hierons R, Harman M & Danicic S (1999)
Using program slicing to assist in the detection of equivalent mutants
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 9(4), 233-262.
Hierons R (1999)
Testing of Communicating Systems, Vol. 10 by Myungchul Kim, Sugwon Kang, Keesoo Hong (Eds.); London: Chapman & Hall, 1997, 452 pp., ISBN 0-412-81730-6
Computer Communications
, 22(17), 1619-1619.
Hierons R (1999)
Correct systems: building a business process solution. By Mike Holcombe and Florentin Ipate. Published by Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany, Applied Computing Series 1998. ISBN: 3-540-76246-9, 206 pages. Price: U.K. £24.50, U.S.A. $49.95, Germany DM 79.00, Soft Cover.
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 9(1), 76-77.
Hierons RM (1999)
Minimizing the cost of fault location when testing from a finite state machine
Computer Communications
, 22(2), 120-127.
Hierons RM (1999)
Machine Learning, by Tom M. Mitchell, McGraw-Hill, 1997 (Book Review)..
Softw. Test. Verification Reliab.
, 9, 191-193.
Hierons RM (1999)
Editorial: What does testing tell us?.
Softw. Test. Verification Reliab.
, 9, 143-144.
EDWARDS H, HIERONS R & JACKSON B (1998)
The Zero-Free Intervals for Characteristic Polynomials of Matroids
Combinatorics, Probability and Computing
, 7(2), 153-165.
Hierons RM (1998)
Adaptive Testing of a Deterministic Implementation Against a Nondeterministic Finite State Machine
The Computer Journal
, 41(5), 349-355.
Hierons RM & Wiper MP (1997)
Estimation of failure rate using random and partition testing
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 7(3), 153-164.
HIERONS RM (1997)
Testing from a Z Specification
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 7(1), 19-33.
Hierons RM (1997)
Testing from a Finite-State Machine: Extending Invertibility to Sequences
The Computer Journal
, 40(4), 220-230.
Hierons RM (1997)
Testing from semi-independent communicating finite state machines with a slow environment
IEE Proceedings - Software Engineering
, 144(5-6), 291-291.
Hierons RM (1996)
Extending Test Sequence Overlap by Invertibility
The Computer Journal
, 39(4), 325-330.
Hierons RM ()
A More Precise Implementation Relation for Distributed Testing
The Computer Journal
, bxv057-bxv057.
Mirza HS ()
Race and education: policy and politics in Britain
London Review of Education
, 7(2).
Hierons RM & Ural H ()
The Effect of the Distributed Test Architecture on the Power of Testing
The Computer Journal
, 51(4), 497-510.
Derderian K ()
Automated Unique Input Output Sequence Generation for Conformance Testing of FSMs
The Computer Journal
, 49(3), 331-344.
Hierons RM ()
Branch-Coverage Testability Transformation for Unstructured Programs
The Computer Journal
, 48(4), 421-436.
Book chapters
Lou G, Shin D, Walkinshaw N & Hierons RM (2025)
Autonomous Driving System Testing: Traffic Density Does Matter
Lecture Notes in Computer Science
(pp. 315-331). Springer Nature Switzerland
Hierons RM, Merayo MG & Núñez M (2023)
Implementation Relations for Distributed Testing
Lecture Notes in Computer Science
(pp. 34-48). Springer Nature Switzerland
Hierons RM, Gazda M, Gómez-Abajo P, Lefticaru R & Merayo MG (2021)
Mutation Testing for RoboChart
Software Engineering for Robotics
(pp. 345-375). Springer International Publishing
Mubarak A, Counsell S & Hierons RM (2013)
A Longitudinal Study of Fan-In and Fan-Out Coupling in Open-Source Systems
Frameworks for Developing Efficient Information Systems
(pp. 199-224). IGI Global
Hierons RM, Merayo MG & Núñez M (2010)
Mutation Testing. In Laplante PA (Ed.),
Encyclopedia of Software Engineering
(pp. 594-602). Taylor & Francis
Harman M, Baresel A, Binkley D, Hierons R, Hu L, Korel B, McMinn P & Roper M ()
Testability Transformation – Program Transformation to Improve Testability
Lecture Notes in Computer Science
(pp. 320-344). Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Book reviews
Hierons RM (2006)
Testing Commercial-off-the-Shelf Components and Systems. Edited by Sami Beydeda and Volker Gruhn. Published by Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, Germany, 2005. ISBN: 3-540-21871-8, pp 410
Software Testing, Verification and Reliability
, 16(1), 61-61.
Hierons RM (2001)
Real‐Time Systems and Software, Alan C. Shaw, John Wiley & Sons, 2001, ISBN: 0‐471‐35490‐2, 215 pages, Soft cover
Software Focus
, 2(2), 81-81.
Conference proceedings
Rafiq Y, Vázquez G, Calinescu R, Dogramadzi S & Hierons RM (2026)
Symbolic Runtime Verification and Adaptive Decision-Making for Robot-Assisted Dressing
(pp 290-308)
Rafiq Y, Vázquez G, Calinescu R, Dogramadzi S & Hierons RM (2025)
Symbolic Runtime Verification and Adaptive Decision-Making for Robot-Assisted Dressing..
SEAA
, Vol. 16081 (pp 290-308)
Foster M, Wild C, Hierons R & Walkinshaw N (2024)
Causal test adequacy
2024 IEEE Conference on Software Testing, Verification and Validation (ICST) Proceedings
(pp 161-172). Toronto, Canada, 27 May 2024 - 27 May 2024.
View this article in WRRO
Walkinshaw N, Foster M, Rojas JM & Hierons R (2024)
Bounding random test set size with computational learning theory
Proceedings of the ACM on Software Engineering (PACMSE)
, Vol. 1(FSE) (pp 2538-2560). Porto de Galinhas, Brazil, 17 July 2024 - 17 July 2024.
View this article in WRRO
Elgendy I, Hierons R & Mcminn P (2024)
Evaluating string distance metrics for reducing automatically generated test suites
AST '24: Proceedings of the 5th ACM/IEEE International Conference on Automation of Software Test (AST 2024)
(pp 171-181). Lisbon, Portugal, 15 April 2024 - 15 April 2024.
View this article in WRRO
Cavalcanti A & Hierons RM (2023)
Challenges in testing of cyclic systems
2023 27th International Conference on Engineering of Complex Computer Systems (ICECCS)
. Toulouse, France, 14 June 2023 - 14 June 2023.
View this article in WRRO
Clark AG, Foster M, Walkinshaw N & Hierons RM (2023)
Metamorphic testing with causal graphs
2023 IEEE Conference on Software Testing, Verification and Validation (ICST)
. Dublin, Ireland, 16 April 2023 - 16 April 2023.
View this article in WRRO
Somers RJ, Clark AG, Walkinshaw N & Hierons RM (2022)
Reliable counterparts : efficiently testing causal relationships in digital twins
MODELS '22: Proceedings of the 25th International Conference on Model Driven Engineering Languages and Systems: Companion Proceedings
(pp 468-472). Montreal, Quebec, Canada, 23 October 2022 - 23 October 2022.
View this article in WRRO
Counsell S, Hierons RM & Patel K (2021)
Are 20% of Classes Responsible for 80% of Refactorings?
Proceedings - 2021 47th Euromicro Conference on Software Engineering and Advanced Applications, SEAA 2021
(pp 287-290)
Gazda M & Hierons RM (2021)
Removing redundant refusals: minimal complete test suites for failure trace semantics
2021 36th Annual ACM/IEEE Symposium on Logic in Computer Science (LICS)
. Rome, Italy, 29 June 2021 - 29 June 2021.
View this article in WRRO
Chen Z, Chen Y, Hierons RM & Wu Y (2020)
Four-valued monitorability of ω-regular languages
Formal Methods and Software Engineering : 22nd International Conference on Formal Engineering Methods, ICFEM 2020, Proceedings
(pp 198-214). Singapore, 1 March 2021 - 3 March 2021.
Türker UC, Hierons RM, Mousavi MR & Tyukin I (2020)
Efficient state synchronisation in model-based testing through reinforcement learning
36th IEEE/ACM International Conference on Automated Software Engineering (ASE2021)
(pp 368-380). Melbourne, Australia, 15 November 2021 - 15 November 2021.
View this article in WRRO
Sachtleben R, Hierons R, Huang W-L & Peleska J (2019)
A mechanised proof of an adaptive state counting algorithm
ICTSS 2019 : Testing Software and Systems
(11812) (pp 176-193). Paris, France, 15 October 2019 - 15 October 2019.
View this article in WRRO
Cavalcanti A, Baxter J, Hierons RM & Lefticaru R (2019)
Testing robots using CSP
13th International Conference on Tests and Proofs (TAP 2019)
, Vol. 11823 (pp 21-38). Porto, Portugal, 9 October 2019 - 9 October 2019.
View this article in WRRO
Lefticaru R, Hierons R & Nunez M (2019)
An implementation relation for cyclic systems with refusals and discrete time
Proceedings of of 17th International Conference on Software Engineering and Formal Methods
(11724) (pp 393-409). Oslo, Norway, 16 September 2019 - 16 September 2019.
View this article in WRRO
Lima B, Faria JP & Hierons R (2019)
Local Observability and Controllability Enforcement in Distributed Testing
(pp 327-338)
(2019)
Message from the A-MOST 2019 Chairs
2019 IEEE International Conference on Software Testing, Verification and Validation Workshops (ICSTW)
(pp 13-13), 22 April 2019 - 23 April 2019.
Destefanis G, Marchesi M, Ortu M, Tonelli R, Bracciali A & Hierons R (2018)
Smart contracts vulnerabilities: a call for blockchain software engineering?
2018 International Workshop on Blockchain Oriented Software Engineering (IWBOSE)
, 20 March 2018 - 20 March 2018.
(2018)
Testing Software and Systems - 30th IFIP WG 6.1 International Conference, ICTSS 2018, Cádiz, Spain, October 1-3, 2018, Proceedings.
ICTSS
, Vol. 11146
Robinson-Mallett CL & Hierons RM (2017)
Integrating Graphical and Natural Language Specifications to Support Analysis and Testing
2017 IEEE 25th International Requirements Engineering Conference Workshops (REW)
(pp 331-338), 4 September 2017 - 8 September 2017.
Benharrat N, Gaston C, Hierons RM, Lapitre A & Le Gall P (2017)
Constraint-Based Oracles for Timed Distributed Systems
(pp 276-292)
Hierons RM, Mousavi MR, Thomsen MK & Türker UC (2017)
Hardness of Deriving Invertible Sequences from Finite State Machines
(pp 147-160)
Hierons RM, Merayo MG & Núñez M (2016)
Controllability Through Nondeterminism in Distributed Testing
(pp 89-105)
Patel K & Hierons RM (2016)
Resolving the Equivalent Mutant Problem in the Presence of Non-determinism and Coincidental Correctness
(pp 123-138)
Cavalcanti A, Hierons RM, Nogueira S & Sampaio A (2016)
A Suspension-Trace Semantics for CSP
2016 10th International Symposium on Theoretical Aspects of Software Engineering (TASE)
(pp 3-13), 17 July 2016 - 19 July 2016.
Dongol B & Hierons RM (2016)
Decidability and Complexity for Quiescent Consistency
Proceedings of the 31st Annual ACM/IEEE Symposium on Logic in Computer Science
(pp 116-125)
Hierons RM & Türker UC (2016)
Generating Minimum Height ADSs for Partially Specified Finite State Machines
(pp 171-179)
Gatrell M, Counsell S, Swift S, Hierons RM & Liu X (2015)
Test and Production Classes of an Industrial C# System: A Refactoring and Fault Perspective
2015 41st Euromicro Conference on Software Engineering and Advanced Applications
(pp 35-38), 26 August 2015 - 28 August 2015.
Androutsopoulos K, Clark D, Dan H, Hierons RM & Harman M (2014)
An analysis of the relationship between conditional entropy and failed error propagation in software testing
Proceedings of the 36th International Conference on Software Engineering
(pp 573-583)
Hierons RM & Türker UC (2014)
Distinguishing Sequences for Partially Specified FSMs
(pp 62-76)
Gaston C, Hierons RM & Le Gall P (2013)
An Implementation Relation and Test Framework for Timed Distributed Systems
(pp 82-97)
Hierons RM, Merayo MG & Núñez M (2013)
Passive Testing with Asynchronous Communications
(pp 99-113)
Clark JA, Dan H & Hierons RM (2013)
Semantic mutation testing
Science of Computer Programming
, Vol. 78(4) (pp 345-363)
Lin L, Poore JH, Eschbach R, Hierons RM & Robinson-Mallett C (2013)
Augmenting Sequence Enumeration with String-Rewriting for Requirements Analysis and Behavioral Specification
(pp 179-193)
Cavalcanti A & Hierons RM (2013)
Testing with Inputs and Outputs in CSP
(pp 359-374)
Counsell S, Gatrell M, Hierons R, Murgia A, Tonelli R, Marchesi M & Concas G (2013)
Conditional-Based Refactorings and Fault-Proneness: An Empirical Study
2013 IEEE Sixth International Conference on Software Testing, Verification and Validation Workshops
(pp 80-85), 18 March 2013 - 22 March 2013.
(2013)
Software Engineering and Formal Methods - 11th International Conference, SEFM 2013, Madrid, Spain, September 25-27, 2013. Proceedings.
SEFM
, Vol. 8137
AbouTrab MS, Counsell S & Hierons RM (2012)
Specification Mutation Analysis for Validating Timed Testing Approaches Based on Timed Automata
2012 IEEE 36th Annual Computer Software and Applications Conference
(pp 660-669), 16 July 2012 - 20 July 2012.
Hierons RM (2012)
Model Based Test Automation through Asynchronous Channels
2012 IEEE 36th Annual Computer Software and Applications Conference Workshops
(pp 439-439), 16 July 2012 - 20 July 2012.
Hierons RM, Merayo MG & Núñez M (2012)
Using Time to Add Order to Distributed Testing
(pp 232-246)
Dan H & Hierons RM (2012)
SMT-C: A Semantic Mutation Testing Tools for C
2012 IEEE Fifth International Conference on Software Testing, Verification and Validation
(pp 654-663), 17 April 2012 - 21 April 2012.
Dan H & Hierons RM (2012)
Semantic Mutation Analysis of Floating-Point Comparison
2012 IEEE Fifth International Conference on Software Testing, Verification and Validation
(pp 290-299), 17 April 2012 - 21 April 2012.
AbouTrab MS, Counsell S & Hierons RM (2011)
GeTeX: A Tool for Testing Real-Time Embedded Systems Using CAN Applications
2011 18th IEEE International Conference and Workshops on Engineering of Computer-Based Systems
(pp 61-70), 27 April 2011 - 29 April 2011.
Molinero C, Núñez M & Hierons RM (2011)
Creating adaptive sequences with genetic algorithms to reach a certain state in a non-deterministic FSM
2011 IEEE Symposium on Artificial Life (ALIFE)
(pp 22-29), 11 April 2011 - 15 April 2011.
Dan H & Hierons RM (2011)
Conformance Testing from Message Sequence Charts
2011 Fourth IEEE International Conference on Software Testing, Verification and Validation
(pp 279-288), 21 March 2011 - 25 March 2011.
Derderian K, Merayo MG, Hierons RM & Núñez M (2011)
A Case Study on the Use of Genetic Algorithms to Generate Test Cases for Temporal Systems
(pp 396-403)
Molinero C, Núñez M & Hierons RM (2011)
Experimental Comparison of Different Techniques to Generate Adaptive Sequences
(pp 404-411)
(2011)
Message from the QSIC 2011 Programme Committee Chairs
2011 11th International Conference on Quality Software
(pp ix-ix), 13 July 2011 - 14 July 2011.
Cavalcanti A, Gaudel M-C & Hierons RM (2011)
Conformance Relations for Distributed Testing Based on CSP
(pp 48-63)
(2011)
Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Quality Software, QSIC 2011, Madrid, Spain, July 13-14, 2011..
QSIC
Grieskamp W, Hierons RM & Pretschner A (2011)
Dagstuhl Seminar 10421 Model-Based Testing in Practice October 18-22, 2010.
Dagstuhl Seminar Proceedings
, Vol. 10421
Dan H, Hierons RM & Counsell S (2010)
Non-local Choice and Implied Scenarios
2010 8th IEEE International Conference on Software Engineering and Formal Methods
(pp 53-62), 13 September 2010 - 18 September 2010.
Trab MSA, Alrouh B, Counsell S, Hierons RM & Ghinea G (2010)
A Multi-criteria Decision Making Framework for Real Time Model-Based Testing
(pp 194-197)
Hierons RM, Merayo MG & Nunez M (2010)
Scenarios-Based Testing of Systems with Distributed Ports
2010 10th International Conference on Quality Software
(pp 52-61), 14 July 2010 - 15 July 2010.
Counsell S, Hamza H & Hierons RM (2010)
The 'deception' of code smells: An empirical investigation.
Proceedings of the International Conference on Information Technology Interfaces Iti
(pp 683-688)
Hierons RM & Núñez M (2010)
Testing Probabilistic Distributed Systems
(pp 63-77)
Segura S, Hierons RM, Benavides D & Ruiz-Cortés A (2010)
Automated Test Data Generation on the Analyses of Feature Models: A Metamorphic Testing Approach
2010 Third International Conference on Software Testing, Verification and Validation
(pp 35-44), 6 April 2010 - 10 April 2010.
Kalaji AS, Hierons R & Swift S (2010)
Generating Feasible Transition Paths for Testing from an Extended Finite State Machine (EFSM) with the Counter Problem
2010 Third International Conference on Software Testing, Verification, and Validation Workshops
(pp 232-235), 6 April 2010 - 10 April 2010.
Clark JA, Dan H & Hierons RM (2010)
Semantic Mutation Testing
2010 Third International Conference on Software Testing, Verification, and Validation Workshops
(pp 100-109), 6 April 2010 - 10 April 2010.
Counsell S, Hierons RM, Hamza H, Black S & Durrand M (2010)
Is a strategy for code smell assessment long overdue?
Proceedings of the 2010 ICSE Workshop on Emerging Trends in Software Metrics
(pp 32-38)
Bertolino A, Grieskamp W, Hierons RM, Le Traon Y, Legeard B, Muccini H, Paradkar A, Rosenblum DS & Tretmans J (2010)
Model-Based Testing for the Cloud.
Dagstuhl Seminar Proceedings
, Vol. 10111
Mubarak A, Counsell S & Hierons RM (2010)
An evolutionary study of fan-in and fan-out metrics in OSS
2010 Fourth International Conference on Research Challenges in Information Science (RCIS)
(pp 473-482), 19 May 2010 - 21 May 2010.
(2010)
Model-Based Testing in Practice, 17.10. - 22.10.2010.
Model-Based Testing in Practice
, Vol. 10421
Grieskamp W, Hierons RM & Pretschner A (2010)
10421 Summary - Model-Based Testing in Practice..
Model-Based Testing in Practice
, Vol. 10421
Grieskamp W, Hierons RM & Pretschner A (2010)
10421 Abstracts Collection - Model-Based Testing in Practice..
Model-Based Testing in Practice
, Vol. 10421
Mubarak A, Counsell S & Hierons RM (2010)
An Empirical Study of “Removed” Classes in Java Open-Source Systems
(pp 99-104)
Kalaji A, Hierons RM & Swift S (2009)
A Search-Based Approach for Automatic Test Generation from Extended Finite State Machine (EFSM)
2009 Testing: Academic and Industrial Conference - Practice and Research Techniques
(pp 131-132), 4 September 2009 - 6 September 2009.
Hierons RM, Jourdan G-V, Ural H & Yenigun H (2009)
Checking Sequence Construction Using Adaptive and Preset Distinguishing Sequences
2009 Seventh IEEE International Conference on Software Engineering and Formal Methods
(pp 157-166), 23 November 2009 - 27 November 2009.
Hierons RM & Núñez M (2009)
Simulation Relations for Systems with Distributed Interfaces
2009 Seventh IEEE International Conference on Software Engineering and Formal Methods
(pp 41-50), 23 November 2009 - 27 November 2009.
Almohammad A, Ghinea G & Hierons RM (2009)
JPEG Steganography: A Performance Evaluation of Quantization Tables
2009 International Conference on Advanced Information Networking and Applications
(pp 471-478), 26 May 2009 - 29 May 2009.
Kalaji A, Hierons RM & Swift S (2009)
A Testability Transformation Approach for State-Based Programs
2009 1st International Symposium on Search Based Software Engineering
(pp 85-88), 13 May 2009 - 15 May 2009.
Derderian K, Merayo MG, Hierons RM & Núñez M (2009)
Aiding Test Case Generation in Temporally Constrained State Based Systems Using Genetic Algorithms
(pp 327-334)
Kalaji AS, Hierons RM & Swift S (2009)
Generating Feasible Transition Paths for Testing from an Extended Finite State Machine (EFSM)
2009 International Conference on Software Testing Verification and Validation
(pp 230-239), 1 April 2009 - 4 April 2009.
Mubarak A, Counsell S & Hierons RM (2009)
Does an 80:20 rule apply to Java coupling?
Electronic Workshops in Computing
Merayo MG, Hierons RM & Núñez M (2008)
Extending Stream X-Machines to Specify and Test Systems with Timeouts
2008 Sixth IEEE International Conference on Software Engineering and Formal Methods
(pp 201-210), 10 November 2008 - 14 November 2008.
Counsell S, Swift S & Hierons RM (2008)
A Test Taxonomy Applied to the Mechanics of Java Refactorings
(pp 497-502)
Hierons RM (2008)
Testing in the Distributed Test Architecture: An Extended Abstract
2008 The Eighth International Conference on Quality Software
(pp 11-14), 12 August 2008 - 13 August 2008.
Parkinson ST, Counsell S, Norman M, Hierons RM & Lycett M (2008)
The precursor to an industrial software metrics program
ITI 2008 - 30th International Conference on Information Technology Interfaces
(pp 221-226), 23 June 2008 - 26 June 2008.
Robinson-Mallett C, Hierons RM, Poore J & Liggesmeyer P (2008)
Using communication coverage criteria and partial model generation to assist software integration testing
Software Quality Journal
, Vol. 16(2) (pp 185-211)
Hierons RM, Jourdan G-V, Ural H & Yenigun H (2008)
Using adaptive distinguishing sequences in checking sequence constructions
Proceedings of the 2008 ACM symposium on Applied computing
(pp 682-687)
Khan IA, Brinkman W-P, Fine N & Hierons RM (2008)
Measuring personality from keyboard and mouse use
Proceedings of the 15th European conference on Cognitive ergonomics: the ergonomics of cool interaction
(pp 1-8)
Hierons RM, Merayo MG & Núñez M (2008)
Controllable Test Cases for the Distributed Test Architecture
(pp 201-215)
Khan IA, Brinkman W-P & Hierons RM (2008)
Towards a Computer Interaction-Based Mood Measure Instrument..
PPIG
(pp 17-17)
Almohammad A, Hierons RM & Ghinea G (2008)
High Capacity Steganographic Method Based Upon JPEG
2008 Third International Conference on Availability, Reliability and Security
(pp 544-549), 4 March 2008 - 7 March 2008.
Hierons RM, Merayo MG & Núñez M (2008)
Implementation Relations for the Distributed Test Architecture
(pp 200-215)
(2008)
Formal Methods and Testing, An Outcome of the FORTEST Network, Revised Selected Papers.
Formal Methods and Testing
, Vol. 4949
Hierons RM & Merayo MG (2007)
Mutation Testing from Probabilistic Finite State Machines
Testing: Academic and Industrial Conference Practice and Research Techniques - MUTATION (TAICPART-MUTATION 2007)
, 10 September 2007 - 14 September 2007.
Dan H, Hierons RM & Counsell S (2007)
A Thread-tag Based Semantics for Sequence Diagrams
Fifth IEEE International Conference on Software Engineering and Formal Methods (SEFM 2007)
(pp 173-182), 10 September 2007 - 14 September 2007.
Counsell S, Hierons RM & Loizou G (2007)
A Meta-analysis Approach to Refactoring and XP
2007 IEEE/ACS International Conference on Computer Systems and Applications
(pp 67-75), 13 May 2007 - 16 May 2007.
Counsell S & Hierons RM (2007)
Refactoring test suites versus test behaviour
Fourth international workshop on Software quality assurance: in conjunction with the 6th ESEC/FSE joint meeting
(pp 31-38)
Khan IA, Hierons RM & Brinkman WP (2007)
Mood independent programming
Proceedings of the 14th European conference on Cognitive ergonomics: invent! explore!
(pp 269-272)
Khan IA, Hierons RM & Brinkman W-P (2007)
Moods and Programmers' Performance..
PPIG
(pp 2-2)
Hameurlain N (2007)
Flexible Behavioural Compatibility and Substitutability for Component Protocols: A Formal Specification
Fifth IEEE International Conference on Software Engineering and Formal Methods (SEFM 2007)
(pp 391-400), 10 September 2007 - 14 September 2007.
Hierons RM & Merayo MG (2007)
Mutation Testing from Probabilistic Finite State Machines
Testing: Academic and Industrial Conference Practice and Research Techniques - MUTATION (TAICPART-MUTATION 2007)
(pp 141-150), 10 September 2007 - 14 September 2007.
Robinson-Mallett C, Hierons RM, Poore J & Bauer T (2007)
Using partial models to support the testing of distributed systems.
Proceedings of the 11th IASTED International Conference on Software Engineering and Applications Sea 2007
(pp 48-56)
Dan H, Hierons RM & Counsell S (2007)
Thread–Based Analysis of Sequence Diagrams
(pp 19-34)
Counsell S, Hierons RM, Najjar R, Loizou G & Hassoun Y (2006)
The Effectiveness of Refactoring, Based on a Compatibility Testing Taxonomy and a Dependency Graph
Testing: Academic & Industrial Conference - Practice And Research Techniques (TAIC PART'06)
(pp 181-192), 29 August 2006 - 31 August 2006.
Khan IA, Hierons RM & Brinkman W-P (2006)
Programmer's mood and their performance
Proceedings of the 13th Eurpoean conference on Cognitive ergonomics: trust and control in complex socio-technical systems
(pp 123-124)
(2006)
Proceedings of the 2006 Workshop on Role of Software Architecture for Testing and Analysis, held in conjunction with the ACM SIGSOFT International Symposium on Software Testing and Analysis (ISSTA 2006), ROSATEA 2006, Portland, Maine, USA, July 17-20, 2006.
ROSATEA
Danicic S, Daoudi M, Fox C, Harman M, Hierons RM, Howroyd JR, Ourabya L & Ward M (2005)
ConSUS: a light-weight program conditioner
Journal of Systems and Software
, Vol. 77(3) (pp 241-262)
Derderian K, Hierons RM, Harman M & Guo Q (2005)
Generating feasible input sequences for extended finite state machines (EFSMs) using genetic algorithms
Proceedings of the 7th annual conference on Genetic and evolutionary computation
(pp 1081-1082)
Chen J, Hierons RM, Ural H & Yenigun H (2005)
Eliminating Redundant Tests in a Checking Sequence
(pp 146-158)
Chen J, Hierons RM & Ural H (2005)
Resolving Observability Problems in Distributed Test Architectures
(pp 219-232)
Guo Q, Hierons RM, Harman M & Derderian K (2004)
Computing Unique Input/Output Sequences Using Genetic Algorithms
(pp 164-177)
Fatiregun D, Harman M & Hierons RM (2004)
Evolving transformation sequences using genetic algorithms.
FOURTH IEEE INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON SOURCE CODE ANALYSIS AND MANIPULATION, PROCEEDINGS
(pp 65-74)
Derderian K, Hierons RM, Harman M & Guo Q (2004)
Input Sequence Generation for Testing of Communicating Finite State Machines (CFSMs)
(pp 1429-1430)
Adamopoulos K, Harman M & Hierons RM (2004)
How to Overcome the Equivalent Mutant Problem and Achieve Tailored Selective Mutation Using Co-evolution
(pp 1338-1349)
Chen J, Hierons RM & Ural H (2004)
Conditions for Resolving Observability Problems in Distributed Testing
(pp 229-242)
(2004)
Testing of Communicating Systems, 16th IFIP International Conerence, TestCom 2004, Oxford, UK, March 17-19, 2004, Proceedings.
TestCom
, Vol. 2978
Mahdavi K, Harman M & Hierons R (2003)
Finding Building Blocks for Software Clustering
(pp 2513-2514)
Fatiregun D, Harman M & Hierons R (2003)
Search Based Transformations
(pp 2511-2512)
Hierons RM, Harman M & Singh H (2003)
Automatically Generating Information from a Z Specification to Support the Classification Tree Method
(pp 388-407)
Hierons RM & Ural H (2003)
Concerning the Ordering of Adaptive Test Sequences
(pp 289-302)
Harman M, Hierons RM & Proctor M (2002)
A New Representation And Crossover Operator For Search-based Optimization Of Software Modularization..
GECCO
(pp 1351-1358)
Harman M, Hu L, Hierons RM, Baresel A & Sthamer H (2002)
Improving Evolutionary Testing By Flag Removal..
GECCO
(pp 1359-1366)
Danicic , Fox , Harman & Hierons (2000)
ConSIT: a conditioned program slicer
Proceedings International Conference on Software Maintenance ICSM-94
(pp 216-226), 14 October 2000 - 14 October 2000.
Rafiq Y, Bishop C, Watson S, Dennis L, Wheeler F, Brotherhood J, Garriga MM & Hierons R ()
Model-Driven Assurance for Robotic Controllers: A Subterranean Tunnel Inspection Case Study.
14th IEEE/ACM International Conference on Formal Methods in Software Engineering (FormaliSE 2026)
Hierons R & Mousavi MR ()
Complete FSM Testing Using Strong Separability.
26th International Conference on Foundations of Software Science and Computation Structures
Foster M, Hierons RM, Shin D, Walkinshaw N & Wild C ()
Using causal inference to test systems with hidden and interacting variables: an evaluative case study
EASE '25: Proceedings of the 29th International Conference on Evaluation and Assessment in Software Engineering
. Istanbul, Turkey, 17 June 2025 - 17 June 2025.
View this article in WRRO
Elgendy IT, Hierons RM & McMinn P ()
Empirically evaluating the use of bytecode for diversity-based test case prioritisation.
International Conference on Evaluation and Assessment in Software Engineering (EASE)
. Istanbul, Turkey, 17 June 2025 - 17 June 2025.
View this article in WRRO
Chen J, Hierons RM & Ural H ()
Testing in the Distributed Test Architecture
(pp 157-183)
Fatiregun D, Harman M & Hierons RM ()
Search-Based Amorphous Slicing
12th Working Conference on Reverse Engineering (WCRE'05)
(pp 3-12)
Harman M, Binkley D, Singh R & Hierons RM ()
Amorphous procedure extraction
Source Code Analysis and Manipulation, Fourth IEEE International Workshop on
(pp 85-94)
Fatiregun D, Harman M & Hierons RM ()
Evolving transformation sequences using genetic algorithms
Source Code Analysis and Manipulation, Fourth IEEE International Workshop on
(pp 65-74)
Lin Hu , Harman M, Hierons RM & Binkley D ()
Loop squashing transformations for amorphous slicing
11th Working Conference on Reverse Engineering
(pp 152-160)
De Lucia A, Harman M, Hierons R & Krinke J ()
Unions of slices are not slices
Seventh European Conference onSoftware Maintenance and Reengineering, 2003. Proceedings.
(pp 363-367)
Mahdavi K, Harman M & Hierons RM ()
A multiple hill climbing approach to software module clustering
International Conference on Software Maintenance, 2003. ICSM 2003. Proceedings.
(pp 315-324)
Harman M, Lin Hu , Hierons R, Fox C, Danicic S, Wegener J, Sthamer H & Baresel A ()
Evolutionary testing supported by slicing and transformation
International Conference on Software Maintenance, 2002. Proceedings.
(pp 285-285)
Harman M, Fox C, Hierons R, Lin Hu , Danicic S & Wegener J ()
VADA: a transformation-based system for variable dependence analysis
Proceedings. Second IEEE International Workshop on Source Code Analysis and Manipulation
(pp 55-64)
Harman M, Lin Hu , Hierons R, Munro M, Xingyuan Zhang , Dolado JJ, Otero MC & Wegener J ()
A post-placement side-effect removal algorithm
International Conference on Software Maintenance, 2002. Proceedings.
(pp 2-11)
Harman M, Gold N, Hierons R & Binkley D ()
Code extraction algorithms which unify slicing and concept assignment
Ninth Working Conference on Reverse Engineering, 2002. Proceedings.
(pp 11-20)
Hierons RM, Kim T-H & Ural H ()
Expanding an extended finite state machine to aid testability
Proceedings 26th Annual International Computer Software and Applications
(pp 334-339)
Bowen JP, Bogdanov K, Clark JA, Harman M, Hierons RM & Krause P ()
FORTEST: formal methods and testing
Proceedings 26th Annual International Computer Software and Applications
(pp 91-101)
Harman M, Hierons R, Fox C, Danicic S & Howroyd J ()
Pre/post conditioned slicing
Proceedings IEEE International Conference on Software Maintenance. ICSM 2001
(pp 138-147)
Fox C, Harman M, Hierons R & Danicic S ()
Backward conditioning: a new program specialisation technique and its application to program comprehension
Proceedings 9th International Workshop on Program Comprehension. IWPC 2001
(pp 89-97)
Harman M, Hierons R, Danicic S, Howroyd J, Laurence M & Fox C ()
Node coarsening calculi for program slicing
Proceedings Eighth Working Conference on Reverse Engineering
(pp 25-34)
Harman M, Fox C, Hierons R, Binkley D & Danicic S ()
Program simplification as a means of approximating undecidable propositions
Proceedings Seventh International Workshop on Program Comprehension
(pp 208-217)
Datasets
Hierons R, Ibias A & Nunez M
Experimental data from paper "Using Squeeziness to test component-based systems defined as Finite State Machines"
Patel K, Hierons R & Clark D
Normalised Squeeziness and Failed Error Propagation Data
Preprints
Shaw N, Pennada S, Hierons RM & Shin D (2026)
A Systematic Mapping Study on the Debugging of Autonomous Driving Systems, arXiv.
Rafiq Y, James BA, Xu K, Hierons RM & Dogramadzi S (2025)
Hybrid Control Strategies for Safe and Adaptive Robot-Assisted Dressing
, arXiv.
Foster M, Hierons RM, Shin D, Walkinshaw N & Wild C (2025)
Using Causal Inference to Test Systems with Hidden and Interacting Variables: An Evaluative Case Study
, arXiv.
Rafiq Y, Vázquez G, Calinescu R, Dogramadzi S & Hierons RM (2025)
Symbolic Runtime Verification and Adaptive Decision-Making for Robot-Assisted Dressing
, arXiv.
Hierons RM & Mousavi MR (2025)
Complete FSM Testing Using Strong Separability
, arXiv.
Elgendy IT, Hierons RM & McMinn P (2023)
A Survey of the Metrics, Uses, and Subjects of Diversity-Based Techniques in Software Testing
, arXiv.
Clark AG, Walkinshaw N & Hierons RM (2021)
Test case generation for agent-based models: A systematic literature review
, arXiv.
Chen Z, Chen Y, Hierons RM & Wu Y (2020)
Four-valued monitorability of $omega$-regular languages
, arXiv.
Danicic S, Hierons RM & Laurence MR (2017)
Characterizing Minimal Semantics-preserving Slices of predicate-linear, Free, Liberal Program Schemas
, arXiv.
Danicic S, Hierons RM & Laurence MR (2017)
On the computational complexity of dynamic slicing problems for program schemas
, arXiv.
Dongol B & Hierons RM (2015)
Decidability and Complexity for Quiescent Consistency and its Variations
, arXiv.
Hierons RM (2011)
Checking Finite State Machine Conformance when there are Distributed Observations
, arXiv.
Danicic S, Hierons RM & Laurence MR (2010)
Complexity of Data Dependence problems for Program Schemas with Concurrency
, arXiv.
Grants
Security of Digital Twins in Manufacturing
, EPSRC, 10/2021 - 05/2025, £774,954, as Co-PI
CITCoM:
Casual Inference for Testing of Computational Models
, EPSRC, 01/2021 - 12/2025, £670,838, as Co-PI
UKRI Trustworthy Autonomous Systems Node in Verifiability
, UKRI, 11/2020 - 10/2024, £2,923,653, as Co-PI
Verifiably Correct Transactional Memory
, EPSRC, 09/2018 - 09/2021, £397,680, as co-PI
RoboTest
Systematic Model-Based Testing and Simulation of Mobile Autonomous Robots
, EPSRC, 04/2018 - 08/2024, £610,060, as PI
InfoTestSS
Information theory and Test Suite Selection
, EPSRC, 01/2017 - 06/2021, £440,393, as PI
AQUATIC
Assessing the quality of test suides in industrial code
, EPSRC, 09/2015 - 12/2018, £332,691, as Co-PI
Professional activities and memberships
Member of the
Testing
research group
Links
Personal website
Google Scholar
Testing research group