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Can you give an example of a mutation test that can’t be killed by a test? Are you saying something like Math.abs(variable)?

• pfdietz 2y ago
  A mutant that doesn't change the behavior of the program by definition cannot be killed by a test. I mean, how do you imagine a test could do that?
  • vlovich123 2y ago
    I'm asking how does a mutant not change the behavior of the program?
    • pfdietz 2y ago
      By not changing the behavior? What makes you think every mutant must change the behavior? Here's a paper on these so-called equivalent mutants "in the wild", in Java programs, and their detection: https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/3650212.3680310 https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/3650212.3680310
      • vlovich123 2y ago
        I was asking what about what are the categories such mutations fall under. An example listed is `if (false) { … }` and generating mutants for the interior code block. The paper lists some although it looks like often it’s language/implementation specific. I’m curious how many such mutants trip up cargo-mutants.