Adaptive Timeout Value for GUI Element Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated functional testing of applications faces challenges in setting an optimal timeout value for detecting graphical user interface (GUI) elements, leading to either premature termination or unnecessary delays due to temporary slowdowns or communication issues.
Innovation Solution
A dynamically determined adaptive timeout value is used, based on prior functional testing iterations, to accommodate changes in execution time, ensuring accurate and efficient detection of GUI elements without manual presetting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed timeout value is used for detecting GUI elements, then the testing process is simple to implement, but it causes premature termination when execution time increases or unnecessary delays when execution time decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from a static fixed timeout value to a dynamic adaptive timeout value that automatically adjusts based on historical performance data. The timeout value is updated iteratively using exponential moving average calculation: new_timeout = alpha * current_execution_time + (1 - alpha) * old_timeout, where alpha is a smoothing factor. This allows the timeout to adapt to changing execution conditions, preventing both premature termination and unnecessary delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the actual execution time of GUI element detection and using this information to adjust the timeout value for future operations. The system collects performance data from previous testing iterations and feeds it back into the timeout calculation mechanism, creating a closed-loop control system that self-optimizes based on real-world performance.
2Reliability
If a long timeout value is set to avoid premature termination, then reliability improves, but testing speed decreases due to unnecessary waits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using only the necessary portion of the timeout value based on actual performance needs. Rather than always waiting for a fixed long duration, the adaptive timeout calculates the minimum required wait time based on historical data, performing just enough waiting to ensure reliable detection without excessive delays. This optimizes the balance between reliability and efficiency.
3Productivity
If a short timeout value is set to improve testing speed, then productivity improves, but reliability decreases due to premature termination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating the timeout value based on historical performance data before each detection operation. The system maintains a running record of execution times and uses this pre-computed information to set an optimized timeout value in advance, rather than using a conservative fixed value that would cause unnecessary delays or a risky short value that might cause premature termination.
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptive timeout value for a script operation associated with functional testing of an application is determined. The script operation specifies detecting display of a specific graphical user interface (GUI) element by the application. The adaptive timeout value is dynamically determined based on prior functional testing of the application. Responsive to encountering the script operation within a script while functionally testing the application under direction of the script, waiting occurs until display of the specific GUI element by the application has been detected, or until timing out has occurred in correspondence with the dynamically determined adaptive timeout value.