Automated Web Service Testing via Data Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data manipulation and verification systems are inefficient and require programming knowledge, making it difficult for enterprises to thoroughly test and verify the functionality of computer applications without extensive programming efforts.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a processor and memory that receives sample input data, executes web services, compares output data to expected data using data mapping information, and stores the results, allowing employees to create and implement test case files without programming knowledge, thereby automating the testing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional data manipulation and verification systems are used, then testing functionality can be performed, but programming knowledge is required and the process is inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting efficiencyVSAvoidprogramming knowledge requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system that acts as a mediator between the user and the web service testing process. This system automatically generates test case files by retrieving sample input data, executing web services, comparing output data with expected data using data mapping information, and storing results - all without requiring the user to write programming code. The intermediary handles the complex testing operations while presenting a simplified interface to users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service testing by automatically performing all necessary testing operations without human intervention in the coding process. The system retrieves data, executes services, performs comparisons using predefined mapping information, and stores results automatically. This allows employees to conduct thorough testing while the system handles the technical implementation details independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual test case file development is performed, then testing can be customized, but the process is time-consuming and requires extensive programming efforts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetest case customizationVSAvoidtest case development time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring data mapping information that associates data elements from sample output data with corresponding elements from expected data. This preliminary setup enables automatic comparison operations without requiring users to create custom comparison logic for each test case. The reusable mapping information allows rapid adaptation to different testing scenarios while eliminating the time-consuming process of developing custom test case files from scratch.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If automated testing is implemented, then efficiency increases, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting automation efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the testing system into distinct functional modules: a data retrieval component that obtains sample input data, an execution component that runs web services, a comparison component that uses data mapping information to compare output with expected data, and a storage component that saves results. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining automation efficiency. Each segment can be developed, maintained, and understood separately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9081899B2System and method for processing web service test cases
Publication Date: 2015.07.14 BANK OF AMERICA CORP
  • US9081899B2 patent drawing
  • US9081899B2 patent drawing
  • US9081899B2 patent drawing

AI summary

In an exemplary embodiment, a system may include a memory and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to receive a location for sample input data, retrieve the sample input data from the location and execute a web service, the web service processing the sample input data. The processor is further operable to receive sample output data, the sample output data generated by the web service, retrieve expected data, the expected data based in part on the sample input data and the web service, and retrieve data mapping information, the data mapping information associating a first data element from the sample output data with a second data element from the expected data. The processor is also operable to compare the sample output data to the expected data using the data mapping information and store the result of the comparison of the sample output data.