Mapping the structure and evolution of software testing research over the past three decades

The field of software testing is growing and rapidly-evolving. Based on keywords assigned to publications, we seek identify predominant research topics understand how they are connected have evolved. We apply co-word analysis map the topology as a network where author-assigned by edges indicating co-occurrence in publications. Keywords clustered based edge density frequency connection. examine most popular keywords, summarize clusters into high-level connect, changing. Testing can be divided 16 18 subtopics. Creation guidance, automated test generation, evolution maintenance, oracles particularly strong connections other topics, highlighting their multidisciplinary nature. Emerging relate web mobile apps, machine learning, energy consumption, program repair while emerging formed between oracles, learning with many topics. Random requirements-based show potential decline. Our observations, advice, data offer deeper understanding inspiration regarding challenges explore. Editor’s note: Open Science material was validated Journal Systems Software Board.