Distributed Program Testing with Reproducible Simulation Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for testing data processing distributed to multiple programs lack a reproducible global simulation time frame, which is crucial for synchronizing asynchronous program execution and ensuring reliable error detection.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an event simulator and replay unit to generate and manage test events that synchronize the execution and data communication of multiple programs within a shared, reproducible global time frame, using start-test, ending-test, output-data-visibility, and input-data-visibility events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Software-in-the-Loop testing is used for testing distributed data processing, then flexibility and cost-effectiveness are improved, but simulation time reproducibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining a global simulation time frame and generating test events with specific timestamps before execution. The event simulator creates a structured sequence of test events that dictate when each program should start, end, or exchange data, ensuring that the simulation follows a reproducible timeline regardless of actual execution variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an event simulator as an intermediary component that mediates between the test scenario definition and the actual program execution. This intermediary generates and manages test events, controlling the timing and synchronization of distributed programs, thereby decoupling the logical simulation time from actual execution time and enabling reproducible results.
2Device complexity
If asynchronous program execution is used for distributed data processing, then program independence and modularity are improved, but synchronization and error detection capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through the replay unit, which records actual execution results and compares them against expected outcomes defined in the test scenario. The system provides feedback by identifying deviations between simulated and actual behavior, enabling error detection in asynchronous executions while maintaining program independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical synchronization methods with an event-driven computational approach. Instead of using locks, semaphores, or other synchronization primitives that would complicate the asynchronous program structure, the system uses an event simulator to coordinate program execution through timestamped events, maintaining simplicity while enabling synchronization.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for testing a data processing distributed to multiple programs. The method includes executing an event simulator which, according to a predefined test scenario for testing multiple programs, generates test events for each program, and a replay unit, which is connected to the event simulator, and for each program starts a data processing by the program during a start-test event for the program, receives output data generated by the program and forwards them to one or to multiple of the other programs during an output-data-visibility event, and ends the data processing by the program during an ending-test event for the program.