Transient Software Probe Gadgets for API Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current software validation methodologies, such as black box and white box testing, are inadequate for validating internal component behavior and require extensive efforts to cover multi-unit complex system functional behavior, and are brittle due to reliance on formatted content for API validation.
Innovation Solution
Development of lightweight, non-intrusive software probe and inject gadgets that create and deploy transient objects to validate system software APIs without altering internal behavior, consuming minimal CPU cycles, and allowing for the injection of events or collection of data between sub-components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If black box testing methodology is used, then external behavior validation is achieved, but internal component behavior validation becomes extremely challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces probe gadgets as intermediary components that insert themselves between sub-components to capture internal data exchanges. These probe gadgets act as mediators that allow external observation of internal component behavior without requiring complex testing infrastructure or altering the original system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates lightweight copy gadgets that replicate sub-component behavior and data flows. These copies enable validation of internal component behavior by observing replicated interactions, allowing thorough internal validation without complex direct instrumentation of the original system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If white box testing methodology is used, then every internal micro-code path is covered, but extensive software testing effort is required and flexibility to tune specific internal behavior is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic gadget deployment where probe and inject gadgets can be selectively activated based on specific testing scenarios. The system dynamically loads only the necessary gadgets for the current validation objective, allowing flexible tuning of which internal behaviors to observe without committing to comprehensive coverage of all micro-code paths, thereby reducing overall testing effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the testing functionality into modular, independent gadgets that can be individually selected and configured. Each gadget targets specific sub-components or data flows, allowing the testing effort to be focused on particular internal behaviors of interest rather than requiring exhaustive coverage of the entire system, thus improving productivity and flexibility.
3Reliability
If formatted content is used for API validation, then interface validation is achieved, but the methodology becomes brittle and requires higher level of on-going effort to maintain and update
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from fixed formatted content validation to parameter-based validation using structured data schemas. The probe gadgets capture raw data exchanges and validate them against configurable schemas that define expected data structures and relationships. This approach makes the validation more robust to format variations while reducing maintenance effort through centralized schema definitions rather than scattered format specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal validation framework where the same probe gadgets and schema-based validation mechanism can validate multiple different APIs and data formats. The structured data approach provides a common validation language that works across various interfaces and scenarios, reducing the need for separate validation logic for each API and thereby reducing overall maintenance effort while improving reliability.
4Use of energy by moving object
If non-intrusive lightweight gadgets are deployed, then system resource consumption is minimized, but the ability to capture detailed internal behavior may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by having probe gadgets capture only the specific data elements and interactions relevant to the validation objective rather than recording all internal system activity. The gadgets selectively intercept and log only the data exchanges between particular sub-components that are under validation, achieving sufficient measurement precision for the specific testing goal while minimizing CPU overhead by avoiding comprehensive system-wide monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods include, responsive to a request to test or troubleshoot a software system including a plurality of sub-components that communicate with one another via Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), creating one or more gadgets that one or more of inject data in any sub-component and probes responses from any sub-component; performing one or more tests of one of more of the plurality of sub-components utilizing the one or more gadgets to invoke specific behavior of the software system and to collect internal data to examine correctness of the behavior; and subsequent to the one or more tests, removing the one or more gadgets. The one or more gadgets are non-intrusive and do not alter behavior of the plurality of sub-components.