Software Specification Generation from Test Code Execution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in generating detailed specifications for software with unknown or incomplete specifications, leading to reduced efficiency in program creation and increased workload.

Innovation Solution

A specification generation device that includes a generation unit for creating test code and data, an execution unit for executing the test code, and a specification generation unit for generating a specification of the software based on the execution result, and an output unit for outputting the generated specification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual specification creation is used for software with unknown specifications, then specification accuracy can be maintained, but development time and workload increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecification accuracyVSAvoiddevelopment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic specification generation where the software system itself provides the specification information through its own execution and behavior observation, eliminating the need for manual specification creation while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical specification creation processes with an automated computer-based system that generates specifications through executing test codes and analyzing execution results

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automated specification generation is attempted without proper test execution, then development time is reduced, but specification reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecification generation speedVSAvoidspecification reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by generating and executing test codes before specification extraction, ensuring that reliable specification data is obtained through proper test execution rather than direct analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses execution results of test codes as feedback to generate and refine specifications, creating a closed-loop process where specifications are derived from actual system behavior rather than assumptions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250390279A1Specification generation device, specification generation method, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2025.12.25 NEC CORP

AI summary

The specification generation device includes a generation unit, an execution unit, a specification generation unit, and an output unit. The generation unit generates the test code and the test data based on the source code of the software. The execution unit executes the test code using the test data. The specification generation unit generates a specification of software based on the execution result of the test code. The output unit outputs the generated specification.