What is mutator?

Mutator is a software tool that is used to modify or mutate computer programs or code. The aim of using a mutator is to create new test cases that can help in identifying defects in the software code. The process of mutation involves inserting or deleting code in the program, changing the data type of variables, and altering the control flow of the program.

Mutator tools are used in the software testing process in order to improve the quality of the software by identifying and fixing any bugs or defects in the code. By applying mutations, the mutator generates new variations of the program and tests them against the original code, thereby detecting and highlighting any discrepancies or errors.

There are several types of mutators available that are designed to work with different programming languages, including C++, Java, Python, and others. Some of the popular mutators include Javalanche, MuJava, and PIT. Mutators are widely used in the field of software testing and are considered an important component of the software development lifecycle.