Web Service Response Format Interception for Client Compatibility Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Client devices experience failures when processing messages from web services due to inconsistencies in response formats, which can be exacerbated by potential future changes in web service responses, affecting user experience and making it difficult to test compatibility with future modifications.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves receiving a request from a client device, obtaining a response from a web service, selecting a different response format from the web service schema, modifying the response to conform to this new format, and sending it back to the client device, allowing for testing of compatibility with potential future changes while minimizing undesirable effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the web service sends responses according to the original response format, then the client device can process messages without failures, but the client device cannot be tested for compatibility with future format changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a response format modification system that acts as an intermediary between the web service and the client device. This intermediary intercepts responses from the web service, modifies them to different formats while maintaining schema compliance, and forwards them to the client for compatibility testing, without disrupting the normal reliable communication channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary compatibility testing by proactively modifying response formats before actual format changes are implemented by the web service. This allows the client device to be tested against potential future formats in advance, preparing for changes before they occur in production.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the web service changes the response format, then future compatibility can be improved, but client devices may experience failures due to format inconsistencies
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary compatibility testing by proactively modifying response formats before actual format changes are implemented by the web service. This allows the client device to be tested against potential future formats in advance, preparing for changes before they occur in production.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where compatibility test results are collected and analyzed. When format changes are anticipated, the system can provide feedback to the web service about potential compatibility issues, allowing format changes to be made while minimizing harmful effects on client devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple response formats are tested, then compatibility with future changes is improved, but the complexity of the testing system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system manages complexity by systematically varying parameters of the response format (such as data types, element presence, structure) based on the schema definitions, rather than arbitrarily creating multiple formats. This parameter-based approach allows comprehensive format coverage while maintaining systematic control over the testing process.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for testing the compatibility of client devices with web services. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a request from a first client device; obtaining a response to the request from a web service, wherein the web service provides responses according to a web service schema that defines a plurality of possible response formats, and wherein the response conforms to a first response format of the plurality of possible response formats; selecting a second, different response format of the plurality of possible response formats defined by the web service schema; modifying the response to generate a modified response, wherein the modified response conforms to the second, different response format; and sending the modified response to the first client device.