XML-Based Test Output Comparison for Common Unit Testing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The manual preparation of test data for processor-based systems is labor-intensive and error-prone, especially when dealing with multiple systems, as it requires different input and output formats, complicating system analysis and testing.
Innovation Solution
A method that serializes actual and expected test outputs into XML format for comparison using checksums and XML analysis tools, allowing for efficient detection of differences and reducing manual effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If test data is manually prepared for multiple systems with different formats, then testing can be performed, but the process becomes labor-intensive and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the format parameter of test data from system-specific formats to a universal XML format. This transformation enables automated processing and comparison across different systems while maintaining data integrity and reducing manual intervention requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces XML as an intermediary format that mediates between different system-specific data formats. This intermediary enables standardized comparison and analysis without requiring manual adaptation for each system, thus reducing time and errors.
2Adaptability or versatility
If test data is manually prepared for multiple systems with different formats, then testing can be performed, but the complexity of the process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using XML as a common format that can represent data from multiple different systems. This single format serves multiple functions: it standardizes input data, enables automated processing, and facilitates comparison across diverse systems, thereby reducing overall process complexity.
3Productivity
If automated comparison methods are used for test outputs, then efficiency is improved, but data must be converted to a common format first
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by converting all test data to XML format before comparison operations. This pre-conversion step, though adding initial complexity, enables subsequent automated comparisons to proceed efficiently without requiring complex real-time format transformations during the comparison process itself.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a method provides an input and an expected test output for a unit test. The unit test is executed using a module under test and the input, thereby generating an actual test output. The actual and expected test outputs are serialized into XML, so that comparison and extraction of differences between actual and expected test outputs can be performed using methods for comparisons and extraction of differences between XML documents, such as XML change detection or calculation of checksums.