METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TESTING A COMPUTER SYSTEM THROUGH SOFTWARE FAULT INJECTION

One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for testing a computer system by using software to inject faults into the computer system while the computer system is operating. This system operates by allowing a programmer to include a fault point into source code for a program. This fault point causes a fault to occur if a trigger associated with the fault point is set and if an execution path of the program passes through the fault point. The system allows this source code to be compiled into executable code. Next, the system allows the computer system to be tested. This testing involves setting the trigger for the fault point, and then executing the executable code, so that the fault occurs if the execution path passes through the fault point. This testing also involves examining the result of the execution. In one embodiment of the present invention, if the fault point is encountered while executing the executable code, the system executes the fault point by: looking up a trigger associated with the fault point; determining whether the trigger has been set; and executing code associated with the fault point if the trigger has been set.