Automated Test Timing Synchronization via GUI Update Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of modern software development and the need for extensive testing across various devices and operating systems lead to inefficiencies in the automated testing process, particularly due to time lags in processing and GUI updates, which can result in performance issues when running automated test descriptions.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves obtaining and processing time values associated with communications between the test computer system and the system under test to determine timing information, allowing for the insertion of delay commands and updates to the test description to synchronize with GUI updates, thereby optimizing the automated testing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated test descriptions are executed without timing synchronization, then test execution speed is improved, but test reliability deteriorates due to premature execution before GUI updates complete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring and recording time values during the test description creation phase. The system automatically determines the time required for GUI updates to complete after specific actions (like button clicks) and pre-calculates the necessary delay commands. This preliminary timing information is then embedded into the test description, ensuring that when the test executes automatically, the system waits for the appropriate duration before proceeding to the next step, thus maintaining reliability without sacrificing execution speed.
2Reliability
If manual timing adjustments are made to synchronize test steps with GUI updates, then test reliability is improved, but test creation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the system to automatically measure and determine timing information during the test description creation process. When a user creates a test description and performs actions on the GUI, the system automatically records the time values associated with each action and the corresponding GUI update completion times. This eliminates the need for manual timing adjustments, as the system serves itself by gathering and processing the necessary timing data automatically, thereby improving reliability without increasing test creation time.
3Measurement precision
If delay commands are inserted to wait for GUI updates, then test accuracy is improved, but overall test execution time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the delay duration based on empirically measured timing information. Instead of using fixed or conservative delay values, the system measures the actual time required for GUI updates to complete during test description creation and sets the delay commands to match these measured values. This ensures that the delay is long enough to guarantee accuracy (waiting for GUI updates to complete) but not excessively long, thereby optimizing the balance between test execution accuracy and overall test execution time.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of updating a test description forming part of an automated test. The method includes obtaining a first time value associated with the sending of an instruction contained within the test description from the test computer to the system under test, obtaining a second time value associated with the receiving of an image comprising at least a portion of a GUI output of the system under test at the test computer, and using one or more processor devices to compare the first and second time values to determine timing information and update the test description using the timing information.