Abstract: A function simulates and verifies a computer program by inserting a syntactic mutation into one of the source code modules comprising the program. The mutated computer program is compiled and subjected to a subtlety check which detects non-subtle (i.e., easily detectable) syntactic mutations. If the subtlety check identifies the inserted syntactic mutation as non-subtle, functional testing on this mutated computer program is terminated, and a new mutated computer program is generated. However, if the subtlety check determines that the syntactic mutation is subtle, the mutated computer program is subjected to additional regression testing. If the regression testing is able to detect the subtle syntactic mutation within a predetermined simulation period, functional testing is terminated and a new mutated computer program is generated.