Configurable Automation Framework for Scalable Test Execution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automation frameworks require significant hard coding of business logic for different configurations when testing applications, leading to reduced maintainability and scalability, as they treat each configuration as a unique test case, making it inefficient to add new configurations.
Innovation Solution
A configurable automation framework that populates a test case suite based on user-specified configuration options, allowing execution of the same test script across multiple configurations by modifying an easily accessible configuration file, rather than modifying business logic in the test script.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If each different configuration is treated as a unique test case with hard coded business logic, then the automation framework can execute tests for specific configurations, but the maintainability and scalability are reduced when new configurations need to be added
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal test case structure that can handle multiple configurations through parameterization. Instead of having separate hard-coded test cases for each configuration, a single test case template is designed to accept different configuration parameters (OS type, dataset type, volume type, etc.), making the test framework multi-functional and adaptable to various configurations without increasing script complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms fixed configuration values into variable parameters that can be dynamically changed. Configuration options are defined as parameters (e.g., operating system type, dataset type, volume type) that can be modified through configuration files or command-line arguments, allowing the same test script to execute across different configurations by simply changing parameter values rather than modifying the script itself
2Productivity
If hard coding of business logic is used for each configuration combination, then specific test cases can be executed, but the productivity and efficiency are reduced when executing the same test script for multiple configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary configuration setup by defining all possible configuration options and their combinations in advance through configuration files. The test framework pre-processes these configurations to generate the appropriate test instances, so when tests need to be executed for multiple configurations, the framework is already prepared with the parameter mappings and can efficiently execute the same test script across all configurations without requiring time-consuming script modifications
3Ease of operation
If the automation framework requires modifying business logic in test scripts to add new configurations, then existing test cases remain stable, but the ease of operation and maintainability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts configuration-specific logic from the test script business logic and places it into separate configuration files or parameter definitions. This separation allows configuration management to be handled independently from test execution logic. When new configurations need to be added, users only need to modify the configuration files (adding new parameter values or combinations) without touching the test script business logic, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining clear separation of concerns
Data Source
AI summary
A configurable automation framework includes a computer that executes an execution driver, a parser, a volume population engine, a configuration checker, an execution engine, and a logger. The execution driver receives user input that specifies configuration options and populates a test case suite based on each combination of the configuration options. The configuration options include operating system options, multipathing software options, volume options, array options, snapshot type options, and/or dataset options. The parser parses the test case to identify script instructions to test an application for each combination. The volume population engine creates volumes based on user input that specifies volume options. The execution engine executes the script instructions to test the application if the configuration checker determines that the computer is setup for each combination. The logger logs a result of executing the script instructions for each combination and outputs the result.