Terminal Screen Correlation for Automatic Test Script Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Terminal-based application testing faces challenges in identifying host screens, which are tedious and error-prone, requiring manual rewrites of test scripts when screen coordinates change due to application modifications.
Innovation Solution
Capture text screen description data via API, correlate it with image data to identify text fields, and automatically generate test scripts for terminal-based applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual identification of screen fields based on coordinates is used, then test scripts can be created, but the process is tedious and error-prone requiring frequent rewrites when layouts change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary correlation system that maps screen coordinates to semantic field identifiers. This intermediary layer decouples the test scripts from direct coordinate dependencies, allowing automatic generation and reducing manual rewrites when layouts change.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual model (copy) of the screen layout with semantic identifiers that mirrors the actual screen structure. This copy serves as a reference for automatic test script generation, eliminating the need for manual coordinate-based script writing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If screen coordinates are used to identify fields, then field positions can be located, but any application modification causes coordinate changes requiring test script rewrites
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary correlation between screen coordinates and semantic field identifiers during the setup phase. This preliminary action creates a mapping that persists across layout changes, so when the application modifies, the pre-established correlations adapt automatically without requiring test script rewrites.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic correlation system where the mapping between coordinates and field identifiers can adapt to layout changes. Instead of static coordinate-based identification, the system dynamically resolves field positions through the correlation layer, maintaining adaptability when applications are modified.
3Reliability
If coordinate-based field identification is used, then screen fields can be accessed, but errors increase when host application is modified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the coordinate-to-field mapping logic from the test scripts themselves and places it in a separate correlation system. This extraction isolates the complexity of coordinate management from the test logic, improving reliability by ensuring consistent field identification even when layouts change, while making test scripts easier to maintain.
Data Source
AI summary
Text screen description data for a terminal-based application is received. For example, the text screen description data may be received via an Application Programming Interface (API) call. The text screen description data comprises a screen description and one or more text field descriptions associated with the screen description. The one or more text field descriptions are associated with one or more text fields. The text screen description data is based on Basic Mapping Support (BMS) mappings. Image data of a screen for the terminal-based application is captured. The captured image data of the screen of the terminal-based application is correlated to the text screen description data for the terminal-based application to identify the one or text fields. As a result, a test script is automatically generated to test the one or more text fields based on the correlation.