Deterministic Replay of User Interactions for Bug Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Testing of browser and application-based interfaces is challenging due to the presence of nondeterministic sources, which cause differences in responses even when the same code is executed, making it difficult to identify bugs or unintended changes.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a datastore module, a queue module, and a replay module that stores user actions with offset timestamps, generates an event queue, and executes replay events with simulated timestamps to ensure deterministic replay and testing of interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional testing methods are used to test browser and application interfaces, then testing can be performed, but nondeterministic sources cause differences in responses between executions, making it impossible to reliably identify bugs or unintended changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a deterministic copy of the original test session by recording all user actions, system responses, and timing information. This copy is then replayed with precise control over execution timing, eliminating nondeterministic variations while preserving the essential test scenario. The replay session is a faithful reproduction that allows reliable comparison between different code versions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the test execution environment by changing the timing parameters from real-world variable timing to controlled, deterministic timing. By specifying exact delays between actions and responses, and controlling the timing of asynchronous operations, the system converts a nondeterministic process into a deterministic one, enabling reliable bug identification.
2Adaptability or versatility
If nondeterministic sources are present in the system, then the system can handle real-world variability, but differences in responses between executions make it difficult to identify bugs or unintended changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the test session into discrete, recordable events with specific timing information. By breaking down the continuous flow of user interaction into individual actions, responses, and delays, the system can preserve real-world variability in the recorded data while enabling precise, deterministic replay. Each segment is independently timed and executed, allowing for accurate comparison.
3Reliability
If deterministic replay is implemented to enable reliable testing, then consistent and reproducible test results are achieved, but the system complexity increases due to timestamp management and event queue processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by recording all necessary timing information and event data during the original test session execution. This pre-processing captures the temporal structure of the interaction, so that during replay, the system simply follows the pre-recorded timing sequence without needing complex real-time synchronization or timing calculation logic.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, tools and methods to allow for the deterministic replay of nondeterministic events and testing of interactions with systems and interfaces. The system may record or retrieve user sessions corresponding to a first version of an application or user interface and replay the events of the user session with a second version of the application or user interface. The system may test updates to code by comparing screenshots or outputs generated by the second version against those generated by the first version to identify unintended differences or errors. The sessions used to test the updates may also be generated by a script or by a machine learning model trained on previous user sessions.