Fixed Length Message Generator Tool for API Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating and testing fixed length communication messages in software systems are manual, time-consuming, and prone to errors, leading to incomplete or inaccurate testing due to the complexity of managing multiple fields with specific length requirements, which can result in false test results.
Innovation Solution
A bidirectional fixed length message generator and parser tool that automatically generates and parses messages based on parser definition files, truncating or padding input data to match predefined field lengths, allowing for efficient creation and verification of test messages across different application programming interfaces (APIs).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual methods are used to generate fixed length messages, then flexibility in handling different API formats is maintained, but time consumption and error rates increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses template files that define message formats, allowing the system to generate messages by copying and filling template structures rather than manually constructing each message. This reduces generation time while maintaining format accuracy through automated template processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically handles field length validation, truncation, and padding operations without requiring manual intervention. The message generator self-adjusts to meet fixed length requirements by automatically truncating excess characters or padding with spaces, eliminating manual formatting steps.
2Reliability
If manual message construction is used, then control over exact field formatting is maintained, but testing completeness and accuracy decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates validation feedback mechanisms that automatically verify generated messages against the required API formats. The generator checks field lengths, data types, and formatting requirements, providing immediate feedback to ensure accuracy before testing, thereby improving test reliability without requiring extensive manual verification time.
Solution Approach 2:
Template files are prepared in advance with predefined field structures and length specifications. The system performs preliminary validation and formatting operations before actual testing occurs, ensuring that messages are pre-computed to meet all requirements. This eliminates the need for manual formatting during testing and ensures complete coverage of test cases.
3Adaptability or versatility
If code changes are made to accommodate API evolutions, then adaptability to new formats is achieved, but maintenance effort and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates message format definitions from the core generation logic by using external template files. When APIs evolve, only the template files need to be updated rather than modifying the generation code. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to new formats through file modifications alone, maintaining adaptability while minimizing maintenance effort on the software code itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of building a fixed length message by a software tool. The method comprises presenting a fixed length message creation screen by the software tool in a user interface based on a parser definition (PDEF) file associated with an application programming interface (API), receiving a selection of a sequence button presented in the fixed length message creation screen by the software tool, in response to receiving the selection of the sequence button, presenting a plurality of add element screens by the software tool in the user interface, receiving data input into each of the add element screens by the software tool, and creating a fixed length message by the software tool based on the data input into each of the add element screens and on data in other fields of the fixed length message creation screen.