Automatic model-based testing

A method, comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

• receiving a set of objects associated with of a computer program application under test;
• automatically classifying the objects as state objects representing states of the application, or transition objects representing transitions in the application from one state to another state, or static information objects;
• creating and displaying a graphical user interface of a model-based test application, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a state information panel and a graphical workspace panel;
• displaying, in the state information panel, a hierarchical representation of the state objects and the transition objects, wherein the hierarchical representation corresponds to an organization of the states and transitions of the application;
• displaying, in the graphical workspace panel, state icons representing the state objects;
• linking the state objects with the transition objects in response to user input in the graphical workspace panel, to result in creating a model in memory of all states and transitions provided by the application.

A computer-readable medium comprising one or more stored sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of:

• receiving a set of objects associated with a computer program application under test;
• automatically classifying the objects as state objects representing states of the application, or transition objects representing transitions in the application from one state to another state, or static information objects;
• linking the state objects with the transition objects to result in creating a model in memory of all states and transitions provided by the application;
• associating, in the model, one or more tests with one or more of the state objects;
• creating and storing, based on the states and transitions, a finite state machine that represents execution behavior of the application according to the model;
• and
• testing the application by (a) automatically navigating the finite state machine and (b) providing state and transition data from the finite state machine to a graphical user interface functional test application that executes the one or more tests upon reaching the states represented by the state objects.

An apparatus, comprising:

• means for receiving a set of objects associated with a computer program application under test;
• means for automatically classifying the objects as state objects representing states of the application, or transition objects representing transitions in the application from one state to another state, or static information objects;
• means for linking the state objects with the transition objects to result in creating a model in memory of all states and transitions provided by the application;
• means for associating, in the model, one or more tests with one or more of the state objects;
• means for creating and storing, based on the states and transitions, a finite state machine that represents execution behavior of the application according to the model;
• and means for testing the application by (a) automatically navigating the finite state machine and (b) providing state and transition data from the finite state machine to a graphical user interface functional test application that executes the one or more tests upon reaching the states represented by the state objects.