Extender Module Unifies Text-Based and GUI Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current test tools are unable to efficiently test software applications with text-based screens and graphical user interfaces that utilize Java objects, requiring separate tools for each type, which is costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize an extender module to identify and provide boundaries and properties of text-based fields to a test tool, allowing it to interact with both text-based screens and graphical user interfaces with Java objects, by associating screen and field proxy Java objects and providing pixel locations and properties to the test tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single test tool is used to test both text-based screens and graphical user interfaces with Java objects, then testing costs are reduced, but the test tool must be enhanced with additional functionality to handle different interface types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (the extender module and proxy Java objects) that translates between text-based screen interfaces and graphical user interface Java objects. This intermediary allows the test tool to interact with both interface types through a unified Java object model, resolving the contradiction by adding adaptability without requiring fundamental changes to the test tool's core architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the test tool universal by enabling it to handle both text-based screens and graphical user interfaces with Java objects through a common interface. The extender module provides multi-functionality by supporting multiple interface types, allowing a single test tool to perform testing across different UI paradigms without requiring separate specialized tools.
2Reliability
If separate test tools are used for text-based screens and graphical user interfaces with Java objects, then each tool can be optimized for its specific interface type, but testing costs increase due to requiring multiple tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of separate test tools into a single unified test tool. By combining the capabilities to test both text-based screens and graphical user interfaces with Java objects into one tool, the patent eliminates the need for multiple separate tools while maintaining the reliability needed for testing different interface types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal test tool that can handle multiple interface types. The extender module provides the multi-functionality needed to test both text-based screens and graphical user interfaces, allowing organizations to use a single reliable test tool across different application types rather than requiring separate specialized tools.
3Productivity
If text-based screens are made accessible to Java object-based test tools, then a single test tool can be used, but additional proxy objects and mapping mechanisms must be created
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates proxy Java objects that are copies or representations of the actual text-based screen fields. These proxy objects mirror the structure and behavior of the underlying text fields, allowing the test tool to interact with them as if they were real Java objects. This copying mechanism enables productivity gains by allowing a single test tool to access text-based screens without requiring complex direct integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer of proxy Java objects and an extender module that mediates between the test tool and the text-based screen. This intermediary handles the complexity of mapping and translation, allowing the test tool to operate efficiently with minimal awareness of the underlying complexity. The intermediary absorbs the architectural complexity while maintaining simple, efficient test execution.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of a method, apparatus and article of manufacture that identify a boundary of a field of a text-based screen for a test tool are provided. These embodiments allow single test tool to test software applications that have a text-based screen and software applications that have a graphical user interface with Java objects.