This paper presents general criteria for generating test inputs from state-based s p eci cations. Software testing can only be formalized and quanti ed w h e n a solid basis for test generation can be d e n e d. Formal speci cations of complex systems represent a signicant opportunity for testing because they precisely describe what functions the software i s s u p p osed t o p r ovide in a form that can easily be manipulated. These techniques provide coverage criteria that are b ased o n the

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... eci cations, and are made up of several parts, including test pre xes that contain inputs necessary to put the software into the appropriate state for the test values. The test generation process includes several steps for transforming speci cations to tests. Empirical results from a comparative case study application of these criteria are p r esented.