Breakpoint-Based Regression Test Selection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional regression testing methodologies are inefficient in identifying and addressing changes in source code, as they require executing a large set of tests, which is time-consuming and not tailored to specific modifications, leading to suboptimal testing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The method involves identifying modified portions of source code, determining corresponding breakpoints, generating regression test cases that provide cumulative coverage of these breakpoints, and executing only those test cases necessary to validate changes before committing them, thereby prioritizing tests based on breakpoint coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional regression testing methodologies are used to execute a large set of tests, then complete coverage of source code changes is achieved, but testing time and efficiency increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the regression test suite by identifying and isolating test cases that are relevant to specific modified portions of source code. By dividing the test execution scope into segments based on code change locations and their associated breakpoints, the system executes only the necessary subset of tests rather than the complete test suite, thereby reducing testing time while maintaining coverage of modified areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by tailoring the testing approach to the specific characteristics of each modified code portion. By determining breakpoints associated with specific code changes and selecting test cases that target those breakpoints, the system provides localized testing coverage precisely where needed, rather than applying uniform testing across the entire codebase, thus improving efficiency without sacrificing reliability.
2Reliability
If a large set of regression tests is executed to ensure complete coverage, then testing thoroughness is maintained, but testing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes unnecessary test cases from the regression test execution set by identifying which tests are actually relevant to the modified code portions. By determining breakpoints associated with changes and selecting only those test cases that exercise those breakpoints, the system extracts the essential subset of tests needed for thorough validation, eliminating redundant test executions and thereby improving testing efficiency while maintaining thoroughness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics by making the regression test selection adaptive to the specific changes made in each code revision. Rather than executing a static, fixed test suite, the system dynamically determines which tests to run based on the locations and characteristics of code modifications, allowing the testing process to adapt its scope and focus to match the actual changes being validated, thus improving efficiency without compromising thoroughness.
3Ease of operation
If regression tests are prioritized based on breakpoint coverage, then testing focus on modified areas is improved, but test selection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining and storing the relationships between code portions, breakpoints, and associated test cases before regression testing is needed. By establishing this mapping information in advance, the system can quickly prioritize and select relevant tests when changes are made, without requiring complex real-time analysis, thus simplifying the test selection process while maintaining effective prioritization based on breakpoint coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are described for performing revision control for a System Under Test (SUT) such as a body of source code. Prior to committing code changes, a collection of breakpoints associated with the portion(s) of source code being changed are determined. Stored fingerprints corresponding to regression test cases are evaluated to identify a set of stored fingerprints that are cumulatively indicative of the collection of breakpoints. Attributes respectively stored in association with the set of stored fingerprints are determined and a corresponding group of regression test cases are determined. The code changes are committed responsive to successful execution of the selected group of regression test cases.