Client Issue Reproduction via Layered Data Replay and Service Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Software developers face difficulties in reproducing client issues with software applications due to differences in client devices and configurations, as well as restrictions on accessing production systems, making it challenging to replicate errors accurately.
Innovation Solution
A method involving retrieving customer data, generating an execution script, constructing service data, adjusting service responses, and transforming steps into automated test scripts to simulate and reproduce client issues locally, using data simulators and multiple data sources to bridge the data gap and separate code from data dependencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If developers access production systems to reproduce client issues, then issue reproduction accuracy is improved, but system security restrictions prevent access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the production environment by retrieving customer data and constructing service data that replicates production conditions. This allows developers to reproduce issues in a safe, accessible environment without directly accessing the production system, thus resolving the contradiction between reproduction accuracy and security restrictions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (data retrieval system and service data construction) between the developer's testing environment and the production system. This intermediary retrieves necessary data from production and reconstructs it locally, enabling issue reproduction without direct access to production systems.
2Measurement precision
If developers use customer data to reproduce issues, then issue reproduction accuracy is improved, but data privacy and security concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a controlled copy of customer data through structured retrieval processes and data anonymization. The service data constructed from retrieved information maintains the necessary structure and relationships for issue reproduction while eliminating sensitive personal information, thus resolving the contradiction between reproduction accuracy and data privacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the necessary data elements required for reproducing the issue from the customer's full data environment. By selectively retrieving and constructing only the relevant service data rather than copying entire data sets, the system minimizes data privacy risks while maintaining reproduction accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If developers replicate production environment locally, then issue reproduction capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the production environment into discrete, manageable components (service data, customer data, execution scripts). This segmentation allows developers to reproduce issues by assembling only the necessary components rather than replicating the entire production system, thus improving reproduction capability while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-retrieving and pre-processing customer data, and by generating execution scripts that automate the reproduction process. This preparation reduces the complexity of actual issue reproduction during development, as the system can execute pre-configured scenarios rather than manually reconstructing complex production conditions.
4Measurement precision
If developers manually reproduce issues step-by-step, then reproduction accuracy is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by generating execution scripts that automatically execute the sequence of operations required to reproduce the issue. These scripts are created based on the retrieved customer data and service configurations, allowing developers to reproduce issues by simply executing the pre-generated scripts rather than manually performing each step.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by using automated execution scripts that can independently reproduce issues without requiring manual intervention for each step. The system automatically retrieves data, constructs service data, executes operations, and captures results, thus maintaining high reproduction accuracy while significantly reducing the time required compared to manual reproduction.
Data Source
AI summary
An approach for assisting software developers to fill the data gap and reproducing client application issue using reported reproducing steps is disclosed. The approach involves constructing service request/response sequence (from the developer's side based on the limited data) from customer's reproducing steps and developer's running inspection result and perform UI-service mapping, redirecting service call to data simulator which replay the service request and response, and adjusting service response with multiple data sources and policies. Lastly, the approach can transform the issue to an automatic test script with the service response in a mockup function (e.g., can be used to extend test data and enhance test cases).