Web Application Coverage Data Annotation for Collaborative Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In collaborative application testing, especially for web applications, redundancy and inefficiency arise due to overlap in test efforts among distributed testers, as coverage data is not always visible, making it difficult to quantify progress and continue the testing process effectively.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that perform analysis of web applications, annotate responses with coverage data indicating performed and unperformed actions, and share this data with users, including automatic sharing upon completion of analysis, to prevent redundant testing and enhance collaboration among testers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple testers conduct testing independently without sharing coverage data, then each tester can work autonomously and testing can proceed in parallel, but redundancy occurs and testing efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting efficiencyVSAvoidredundant testing efforts

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the testing efforts of multiple distributed testers by implementing a shared coverage data mechanism. The web application annotates responses with coverage data that is visible to all testers, allowing them to combine their testing activities into a coordinated effort rather than independent redundant operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by making coverage data visible to all testers through the web application responses. This feedback loop allows testers to see what actions have already been performed and adjust their testing accordingly, preventing redundant efforts and improving overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If coverage data is not made visible to testers, then the system remains simple and easy to implement, but testers cannot quantify progress and collaboration becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollaboration easeVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The web application performs preliminary action by automatically annotating responses with coverage data before testers view them. This automated annotation process eliminates the need for complex manual tracking systems while providing the necessary collaboration capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If testers are located in different geographical locations and time zones, then testing coverage can be expanded and continuity improved, but coordination becomes difficult and redundancy increases without visible coverage data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegeographical distribution capabilityVSAvoidcoverage information visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The web application serves as an intermediary that centralizes and shares coverage data among all distributed testers. This intermediary mechanism ensures that regardless of geographical location or time zone, all testers have access to the same coverage information, preventing information loss and enabling effective coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11301313B2Collaborative application testing

Publication Date: 2022.04.12 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A method, computer program product, and computer system for performing, at a computing device, an analysis of a web application. A response is annotated by the web application with coverage data based upon, at least in part, the analysis, wherein the coverage data indicates which actions have been performed on the web application and which actions have not been performed on the web application according to results of the analysis. The response that includes the coverage data is shared with one or more users.