Generic Test Specification Automates Software Unit Validation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Manual generation of unit tests for software units is time-consuming and inefficient, especially in software architecture paradigms where functionality is similar across multiple units, leading to duplication of testing efforts.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system and method that uses generic and non-generic test specifications within a test module to automate the testing of software units, where generic tests target common functionality across multiple methods, reducing the need for duplicate unit tests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual unit test generation is performed for each software unit, then testing coverage is ensured, but time consumption and effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a generic test specification that can be applied to multiple software units with similar functionality. Instead of writing separate unit tests for each software unit, the system generates a single generic test that validates common operations across multiple units, thereby reducing time consumption while maintaining comprehensive testing coverage through reusability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system copies the structure and logic of existing tests to generate new tests automatically. By analyzing the functionality of software units and identifying patterns, the system replicates test structures across different units, eliminating the need for manual re-writing of tests and significantly reducing the time required for test generation.
2Reliability
If manual unit tests are written for each software unit, then functional validation is achieved, but duplication of testing efforts occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple similar unit tests into a single generic test specification. By identifying common functionality across different software units and combining their test requirements into one unified test structure, the system eliminates duplication of testing efforts while maintaining functional validation through the generic test's application to multiple units.
Solution Approach 2:
The generic test specification is designed to be universally applicable across multiple software units with similar functionality. This multi-functional test can validate different software units without requiring separate test cases for each, thereby improving testing efficiency while ensuring comprehensive functional validation through reusability.
3Productivity
If generic tests are used to test multiple methods, then testing efficiency improves, but test specificity may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing the generic test specification to be customized for specific software units while maintaining its generic structure. The test framework enables selective application of the generic test to different units with similar functionality, allowing testers to adjust parameters and expectations for specific units without rewriting the entire test, thus balancing efficiency with specificity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, computer readable storage medium including instructions, and a computer-implemented method for testing a software unit of an application is described. A method signature for a method of the software unit of the application is received. A generic test specification for a generic test of the method is identified based on the method signature, the generic test specification being one of a plurality of test specifications, wherein the generic test specification includes a definition for at least one reference input parameter value of the method and a definition for at least one reference output parameter value of the method. The method is executed using the at least one reference input parameter value to produce at least one test output parameter value. A test result is determined based on a comparison between the at least one test output parameter value and the at least one reference output parameter value.