Dynamic Automation Identifier Generation for Web Integration Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual approaches for assigning automation identifiers in web applications are labor-intensive, inconsistent, and difficult to maintain, especially as the complexity and number of components grow, leading to potential identifier clashes and failed integration tests.

Innovation Solution

The technique involves dynamically generating automation identifiers based on parameters assigned to web components in a hierarchy, using a web component identification and tagging module, a dynamic automation identifier generation module, and an integration testing module to perform end-to-end integration testing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual approaches are used for assigning automation identifiers, then flexibility in assignment is maintained, but labor intensity increases and consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in identifier assignmentVSAvoidlabor intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by automatically generating automation identifiers through dynamic traversal of component hierarchies and extraction of identifying parameters, eliminating the need for manual identifier assignment while maintaining consistency across all web elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual process of identifier assignment with an automated computational system that traverses component hierarchies, extracts parameters, and generates identifiers algorithmically, thereby reducing labor intensity while preserving flexibility through configurable parameter selection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If manual approaches are used for assigning automation identifiers, then initial setup is simpler, but maintainability deteriorates as application complexity grows

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitial setup simplicityVSAvoidmaintainability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamics by making the identifier generation process adaptive to changes in component hierarchies - when components are added, removed, or modified, the system automatically recalculates and updates identifiers by re-traversing the hierarchy, ensuring maintainability without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing the component hierarchy structure and identifying parameter definitions during application development, which enables automatic identifier generation throughout the application lifecycle, simplifying both initial setup and subsequent maintenance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If static automation identifiers are used, then implementation is straightforward, but reliability deteriorates due to identifier clashes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation complexityVSAvoididentifier uniqueness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the identifier generation process into distinct components: hierarchy traversal, parameter extraction, and identifier assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be independently configured and validated, ensuring identifier uniqueness while keeping implementation complexity manageable through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by dynamically selecting and combining multiple identifying parameters from component hierarchies (such as component names, paths, and attributes) to generate unique identifiers, thereby ensuring reliability through parameter variability while maintaining straightforward implementation through consistent parameter selection rules

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10949331B1Integration testing of web applications utilizing dynamically generated automation identifiers

Publication Date: 2021.03.16 EMC IP HLDG CO LLC

AI summary

An apparatus comprises a processing device configured to select a subset of a plurality of web components of a web application, the web components being arranged in a web component hierarchy, each web component comprising one or more web elements. The processing device is also configured to assign a tag to each web component in the subset. The processing device is further configured to dynamically generate an automation identifier for a given instance of at least one of the web elements, the generated automation identifier being based at least in part on parameters of the tags assigned to web components in a path from a root of the web component hierarchy to the at least one web element. The processing device is further configured to perform integration testing of the web application utilizing the dynamically generated automation identifier for the given instance of the at least one web element.