Network Grabber for Software Code Coverage Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current software development and testing methods lack an efficient way to determine code coverage in network environments, which is crucial for ensuring the thoroughness of software application testing and identifying undiscovered bugs.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that instruments software applications with code coverage tools to trace executed code and send collected data to a network grabber, which processes and generates code coverage reports, allowing for more accurate and efficient data collection and reporting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If code coverage data is collected and processed locally without network transmission, then data collection speed may be faster, but control and transparency over data collection are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network grabber as an intermediary component that receives code coverage data from the instrumented application over the network. This mediator enables centralized control and transparent monitoring of data collection while maintaining measurement accuracy, resolving the contradiction between precise measurement and operational control
2Productivity
If multiple tests are run in parallel to improve productivity, then testing efficiency increases, but data collection and coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network grabber is designed as a universal data collection point that can receive and process code coverage data from multiple parallel test executions simultaneously. This multi-functional approach allows the system to handle numerous tests in parallel without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same grabber infrastructure serves all test cases
3Ease of operation
If code coverage data is transmitted over the network to a remote grabber, then control and transparency are improved, but data transmission time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having the instrumented application continuously send code coverage data to the network grabber during test execution rather than attempting large batch transmissions afterward. This preliminary data preparation and incremental transmission reduces overall transmission time while maintaining centralized control
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for determination of code coverage for software applications in a network environment. In accordance with an embodiment, a software application can be instrumented by a code coverage tool to contain instructions for tracing executed code, and sending collected data to a network grabber at an indicated network address or port. A code coverage tool enables tests to be run on an instrumented software application. A network grabber receives, at a network address or port, code coverage data from one or more application tests.