Test Case Generation Using Prime Number Deterministic Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Generating test cases that achieve statistically even coverage of the test area for software with a large number of input parameters is challenging, as existing methods often fail to cover all possible input parameter combinations effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for automatically generating test cases using a test case number generator that deterministically assigns parameter values to each independent parameter based on a prime number and array cardinality, ensuring that all parts of the test area are touched, including the use of a parameter value generator to create test cases that can be rerun by knowing the test case number.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automatic test case generation is used, then test case generation efficiency is improved, but achieving statistically even coverage of the test area becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-divides the test area into multiple sub-regions before test case generation. By establishing these sub-regions in advance and assigning specific parameters to cover each sub-region, the system ensures that test cases are generated with predetermined coverage requirements, achieving statistically even coverage while maintaining automatic generation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the large test area into multiple smaller sub-regions, each covering specific parameter combinations. This segmentation allows the system to manage coverage requirements for each sub-region independently, ensuring comprehensive and uniform coverage across the entire test area while enabling efficient automatic test case generation
2Manufacturing precision
If manual test case definition is used, then coverage control is improved, but test case generation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-defines sub-regions and their coverage requirements before automatic test case generation. This preliminary setup establishes the coverage control framework in advance, allowing the automatic generation process to follow predetermined guidelines, thus maintaining precise coverage control while significantly reducing the time required compared to fully manual test case definition
3Reliability
If all possible input parameter combinations are tested, then test coverage is improved, but the number of test cases becomes unmanageably large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the exponential test area into multiple manageable sub-regions, each covering specific parameter combinations. By generating test cases for each sub-region separately and systematically, the system achieves comprehensive coverage of all possible input parameter combinations while keeping the number of test cases in each sub-region manageable and organized
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of organization by dividing the test area into sub-regions. This dimensional change transforms the overwhelming single large test area into multiple smaller, structured sub-regions, making it feasible to manage and execute tests systematically while maintaining complete coverage
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for providing randomly-generated test cases for a set of interfaces of a piece of software are disclosed. A test case generator is initialized with parameter arrays Sp with cardinality mp and a prime number qp. For each independent parameter p of each of the set of interfaces, a test case number t is generated. A test case is then generated based on the values for each independent parameter p and based on t and Sp, mp, and qp.