GUI Test Script Analysis System for Maintenance Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual and tool-based approaches for maintaining and evolving test scripts for Graphical User Interface (GUI)-based Applications (GAPs) are laborious and costly due to frequent GUI changes, leading to high rates of script failures and inefficiencies in detecting and fixing issues, with existing tools providing limited information and requiring significant human intervention.
Innovation Solution
A GUI testing analysis system that empirically assesses the productivity of manual versus tool-based approaches, generating statistical evidence to determine the most effective method for identifying failures and recommending the use of testing tools to optimize script maintenance, thereby reducing false positives and improving productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If tool-based approaches are used to detect exceptions in test scripts at runtime, then automation extent is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to long execution times and loops requiring human intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by analyzing test scripts and identifying potential failures before runtime execution. It uses static analysis and type system comparison to detect mismatches between GUI objects and test script references in advance, allowing failures to be identified without executing time-consuming runtime loops.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical runtime execution approach with a static analysis system that uses type system comparison and pattern matching. Instead of executing scripts to detect failures, the system substitutes this with automated analysis of script code structure and type compatibility, eliminating the need for lengthy runtime testing.
2Productivity
If manual maintenance of test scripts is performed, then productivity is improved for small scripts, but ease of operation deteriorates due to laborious analysis and fixing processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary automated analysis tool that mediates between the test script and the maintainer. This intermediary performs the laborious analysis work by comparing type systems, identifying mismatches, and generating failure reports, making the maintenance process easier while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically analyzing test scripts and identifying failures without requiring manual intervention. The automated type system comparison and failure detection mechanisms allow the system to service itself, reducing the burden on maintainers while preserving productivity.
3Reliability
If existing testing tools are used to detect exceptions, then reliability is improved, but loss of information occurs because tools provide limited information about failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by providing detailed information about detected failures, including specific locations in the script, the nature of the mismatch, and the relationship between GUI object changes and script failures. This rich feedback loop enables maintainers to understand and fix issues efficiently while maintaining high detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the failure detection process into distinct components: type system analysis, pattern matching, failure identification, and detailed reporting. This segmentation allows the system to provide comprehensive information about each aspect of the failure, preventing information loss while maintaining reliable detection.
4Reliability
If test scripts are executed repeatedly to maintain automation benefits, then reliability is improved, but loss of time occurs due to frequent re-testing after GUI changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of test scripts to identify potential failures before they occur during re-testing. By detecting mismatches between GUI objects and script references in advance, it prevents the need for repeated execution and manual fixing, saving time while maintaining reliable test results.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables skipping of unnecessary runtime executions by identifying and reporting failures through static analysis. This allows maintainers to skip time-consuming execution cycles and directly address identified issues, reducing time loss while preserving the reliability of the testing process.
Data Source
AI summary
A graphical user interface (GUI) tool analysis system helps determine whether to purchase or license automated testing tools. The system provides guidance, e.g., to test managers, for making decisions on expenditures for the automated test tools. As a result, the test managers need not make purchasing decisions ad hoc, based on their own personal experience and perceived benefits of implementing a tool based automatic testing approach versus a manual testing approach.