Combining Test Coverage Data from Multiple Targets

Project Overview:

The gcov test coverage tool, part of the GNU Compiler Collection,
provides information about the amount of test coverage for a program
when run on a particular target (architecture plus operating system).
For software that is used on multiple targets it would be valuable to
have a report of combined coverage for several targets, and to
compare coverage of particular sections of code on various targets.

Proposed Work Item:

Gather requirements for, design, and develop tools that will combine
gcov test coverage data for the same program running on multiple target
systems.  Use the tools on a significant project, such as parts of GCC
itself, that exercise different sections of code on different targets.
Submit the tools and their documentation to the GCC community for
inclusion in a future release of GCC.

Estimated effort:  6 person-months

Skills needed:  C and bash shell programming

Assistance provided:  IBM will provide consultation, design assistance,
review of work at various stages, support via telephone and email,
site visits on a periodic basis.

Goal:
End result is a set of tools that will allow a GCC user to gather test
coverage data on multiple target systems, combine that data to get a
single report that shows combined coverage, and compare coverage of a
section on code for various targets.  Success will be measured by the
quality of the resulting product.  Project requirements will be
determined as part of the initial design process.  Quality is measured
based upon the agreed requirements.