Generic Stub for Message-Oriented Service Simulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Testing message-oriented services or APIs is challenging due to the unavailability of backend systems, requiring custom test stubs that are costly, error-prone, and complex to create, and often not extensible for unique interfaces.

Innovation Solution

A simulation method that initializes a state engine to generate flat request records from hierarchical request messages, associates them with response records, and applies rules to identify response identifiers, allowing for the assembly of test data responses without requiring custom stubs for each service or interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If custom test stubs are created for each message-oriented service interface, then the service can be tested without backend systems, but the complexity and cost of creating and maintaining these stubs increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting capabilityVSAvoidstub creation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a generic stub that copies and mimics the backend system's interface structure and behavior patterns. Instead of building custom stubs for each service, a single generic stub is designed that can replicate any message-oriented service interface by following standardized patterns, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining testing capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs a universal generic stub that can serve multiple message-oriented service interfaces simultaneously. This single stub is configured to handle different service types through parameterization and pattern-matching, eliminating the need for separate custom stubs for each interface and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If custom test stubs are created for every unique interface, then specific service requirements can be met, but the time and resources required for stub development and maintenance increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface-specific customizationVSAvoidstub development speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameterization to allow a single generic stub to adapt to different message-oriented service interfaces. By changing configuration parameters and patterns rather than rewriting code, the stub can be quickly customized for new interfaces, significantly improving development speed while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent pre-defines standardized patterns and structures for common message-oriented service interfaces. These preliminary templates are prepared in advance, allowing rapid configuration and deployment when new services need to be tested, thereby accelerating the stub development process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If custom test stubs are manually created for each service, then precise control over test behavior is achieved, but error susceptibility increases due to manual configuration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetest behavior controlVSAvoidstub configuration accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the generic stub to automatically configure itself based on standardized patterns and input parameters. Rather than requiring manual configuration prone to errors, the stub self-generates its behavior through pattern-matching and automated rule application, maintaining precise control while reducing configuration errors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9208044B2Methods for simulating message-oriented services and devices thereof
Publication Date: 2015.12.08 INFOSYS LTD
  • US9208044B2 patent drawing
  • US9208044B2 patent drawing
  • US9208044B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus that obtains a request message in a hierarchical format. A set of flat request records is generated based on the request message wherein each flat request record includes at least a key and a value. Each flat request record is compared to a set of criteria records to generate one or more response sets wherein each criteria record includes at least a key, a value, and a response identifier and each response set includes one or more response identifiers. One or more rules are applied to the one or more response sets to identify one or more response identifiers. One or more responses corresponding to the one or more identified response identifiers are optionally assembled and form at least part of an output.