# RESTORE: Retrospective Fault Localization Enhancing Automated Program Repair

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/1906.01778 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/1906.01778/

## Key facts

- Cited by 2 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 5 Jun 2019.

## Built on by (most cited first, 2 of 2)

- [Automated Program Repair: Emerging trends pose and expose problems for benchmarks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2405.05455/) (2024)
- [AutoPatch: Multi-Agent Framework for Patching Real-World CVE Vulnerabilities](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2505.04195/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Fault localization is a crucial step of automated program repair, because accurately identifying program locations that are most closely implicated with a fault greatly affects the effectiveness of the patching process. An ideal fault localization technique would provide precise information while requiring moderate computational resources---to best support an efficient search for correct fixes. In contrast, most automated program repair tools use standard fault localization techniques---which are not tightly integrated with the overall program repair process, and hence deliver only subpar efficiency. In this paper, we present retrospective fault localization: a novel fault localization technique geared to the requirements of automated program repair. A key idea of retrospective fault localization is to reuse the outcome of failed patch validation to support mutation-based dynamic analysis---providing accurate fault localization information without incurring onerous computational costs. We implemented retrospective fault localization in a tool called RESTORE---based on the JAID Java program repair system. Experiments involving faults from the Defects4J standard benchmark indicate that retrospective fault localization can boost automated program repair: RESTORE efficiently explores a large fix space, delivering state-of-the-art effectiveness (41 Defects4J bugs correctly fixed, 8 more than any other automated repair tools for Java) while simultaneously boosting performance (speedup over 3 compared to JAID). Retrospective fault localization is applicable to any automated program repair techniques that rely on fault localization and dynamic validation of patches.