Dataflow Graph Component Unit Testing with Realistic Test Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Developers face challenges in testing data processing applications outside a production environment without access to realistic data, making it difficult to ensure correct operation in production.
Innovation Solution
A data processing system is configured to isolate and test portions of dataflow graphs using realistic input data, allowing for unit testing of executable components to verify their functionality and identify errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If developers test data processing applications outside production environment, then testing can be performed earlier in development cycle, but access to realistic production data is unavailable making it difficult to ensure correct operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates synthetic test data that replicates the statistical properties, data types, and structural characteristics of production data. This copying approach allows developers to perform realistic testing outside the production environment by generating test datasets that mirror production data distributions without requiring actual production data access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the dataflow graph into individual executable components that can be tested independently. By isolating specific components and testing them with synthetic data, the system enables targeted unit testing of individual components outside the full production environment, reducing testing time while maintaining reliability through component-level verification.
2Reliability
If entire dataflow graph is tested, then complete application functionality is verified, but testing complexity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the dataflow graph into discrete executable components that can be independently identified and tested. This segmentation enables developers to test only specific components rather than the entire graph, significantly reducing testing time while maintaining reliability through comprehensive component-level coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial testing by allowing developers to select and test only the necessary components of the dataflow graph based on their specific testing needs. This partial action approach tests only what is required rather than performing excessive full-graph testing, optimizing the balance between testing completeness and time consumption.
3Measurement precision
If specific portions of dataflow graph are isolated for testing, then testing precision and error identification capability improve, but test configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling developers to directly select and isolate specific components of the dataflow graph for testing through an intuitive interface. The system automatically handles the configuration of test environments, data generation, and component isolation without requiring complex manual setup, thus improving error detection precision while minimizing test configuration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary testing system that sits between the developer and the dataflow graph components. This intermediary automatically manages the complexity of isolating and configuring test environments for specific components, translating simple developer selections into detailed test configurations, thereby improving precision without exposing complexity to the user.
Data Source
AI summary
A data processing system defines a unit test for a dataflow graph comprising a plurality of executable components. The system receives an indication of a portion of a dataflow graph for testing. The system receives a parameter set indicating expected output data to be generated by execution of a component of the graph. The system receives input data for the component. The input data are indicated by the parameter set and configured to test a functionality of the component. The system defines a unit test of the component based on the parameter set. The unit test provides the input data to inputs of the dataflow graph, causes processing of the input data by the component of the dataflow graph to generate output data, and generates results data indicating a correspondence between the output data and the expected output data indicated by the parameter.