Finite-State Machine Validation for Mainframe Batch Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Updating mainframe batch systems poses challenges due to testing and service disruption obstacles, necessitating a method to validate changes without impacting the production environment.
Innovation Solution
Implementing property-based validation testing using a finite-state machine in a test environment to replicate the production system, ensuring data fields are in a valid format and adhere to desired properties, thereby detecting errors and preventing disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mainframe batch systems are updated to facilitate new products and services, then the system's adaptability and functionality are improved, but the risk of service disruptions and errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements property-based validation testing before deploying updates to the production mainframe batch system. A finite-state machine replicates production system behavior in a test environment, and batch data is validated against desired properties prior to deployment. This preliminary validation action detects errors early, allowing updates to be applied while maintaining service reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the production mainframe batch system in the form of a finite-state machine that replicates production system behavior. This copy is used in a test environment to validate batch data and detect errors before they affect the production system, thereby enabling system adaptability without compromising service reliability.
2Reliability
If extensive testing is performed in the production environment to validate updates, then the reliability and error detection capability are improved, but service disruptions and downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a finite-state machine that copies the behavior of the production mainframe batch system. This copy runs in a separate test environment, allowing extensive validation testing to be performed without causing service disruptions or downtime in the production environment. Error detection capability is improved while service continuity is maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the testing function from the production system by implementing validation testing in a separate test environment using a finite-state machine. This segmentation allows testing to occur independently without impacting production services, thereby improving error detection capability while minimizing service downtime.
3Manufacturing precision
If batch data is validated against desired properties before processing, then the manufacturing precision and error prevention are improved, but the processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of validation from post-processing verification to pre-processing validation. Batch data is validated against desired properties before being processed by the mainframe batch system, improving data validation precision and preventing errors early in the process. The finite-state machine automates this validation, managing the complexity of the testing system.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for performing mainframe batch testing and/or property-based validation testing using a finite-state machine are provided. According to certain aspects, a validation server may receive a set of batch data designed to validate a property under test, such as during mainframe batch testing. A validation server may validate that the set of batch data is in a proper format. The validation server may then cause a finite-state machine to process instructions contained within the set of batch data. Once the finite-state machine processes the set of batch data, the validation server may then validate that the finite-state machine adheres to the property under test. If the validation fails, the validation server may generate an error report describing the failure.