Role-Based Automation Scripts for Web Application Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automation systems for testing web applications face complexity and code conflicts due to reliance on underlying application controls, making them difficult to update and maintain, and lacking precision in simulating user actions.
Innovation Solution
An automation system using role templates with control-instance-specific role-template extensions, which customize the templates to match specific application behaviors, reducing overall complexity and code burden by separating control representations in scripts rather than the engine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If automation systems rely on underlying application controls for automation scripts, then the scripts can directly manipulate controls, but the system complexity increases and code conflicts occur making maintenance difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces role templates as an intermediary layer between automation scripts and application controls. Instead of scripts directly manipulating controls, they interact through role templates that define standardized interfaces. This mediator approach reduces code conflicts and simplifies maintenance by decoupling the script logic from control implementation details.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the automation system into distinct components: role templates that define control behaviors, control instances that represent actual controls, and scripts that execute actions. This segmentation allows each component to be independently maintained and updated, reducing overall system complexity and making maintenance easier.
2Measurement precision
If automation systems use generic control manipulation methods, then the engine remains simple, but precision in simulating user actions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing role templates to define specific, precise manipulation methods for different control types while maintaining a simple engine core. Each role template can specify exact simulation behaviors tailored to particular control instances, achieving high precision without complicating the overall engine architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes to enhance simulation precision. Role templates include configurable parameters that define how controls should be manipulated, allowing precise control over simulation behavior. These parameters can be adjusted per control instance without changing the engine's fundamental structure.
3Reliability
If automation scripts include control-specific code, then precision is improved, but code conflicts increase and updates become frequent
Solution Approach 1:
Role templates serve as intermediaries that encapsulate control-specific logic, shielding scripts from direct exposure to control implementation details. This reduces code conflicts in scripts and stabilizes them over time, while role templates can be updated independently to adapt to control changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses role templates as reusable copies of control behavior patterns. Instead of duplicating control-specific code in each script, the same role template can be copied and applied across multiple scripts and control instances, ensuring consistency and reducing maintenance burden when updates are needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer performs an action called for by a script. The computer determines how to perform the action based in part on a role template not included in the script and based in part on a role-template extension included in the script.