Automated testing of software application interfaces, object methods and commands
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorEdward Barnes Boden
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Automated testing of software application interfaces, object methods and commands, including testing software using order-based genetic algorithms to search for and detect symptoms of software errors by generating test sequences which converge on points in invocation space more likely to cause error symptoms.
Claims12
Method of operating a digital computer to generate symptoms of errors in source code, comprising the steps of:
- a) generating from order-based genetic algorithms at a testing system a set of coded representations of sequences of function invocations;
- b) executing said source code on a target system;
- c) sending said set of coded representations to said target system;
- d) interpreting on said target system the coded representations in said set to generate a sequence of function invocations;
- e) interpreting function invocation results in sequence;
- f) collecting said sequence of function invocations and returning said sequence and said results to said testing system;
- g) evaluating said results to identify symptoms of errors.
A system for detecting symptoms of software errors, comprising:
- an order-based genetic algorithm for generating test sequences which converge on points in invocation space more likely to cause error symptoms;
- and
- a test interface for interpreting and executing said test sequences, and returning execution results to said order-based genetic algorithm for use in generating subsequent test sequences.
Apparatus for storing signals for controlling the operation of a digital computer, said signals comprising:
- order-based genetic algorithm signals for operating said digital computer to generate test sequences which converge on points in invocation space more likely to cause error symptoms;
- and
- test interface signals for operating said digital computer to interpret and execute said test sequences, and return execution results for use in generating subsequent test sequences.
A digital transmission link for transmitting signals for controlling the operation of a digital computer, said signals comprising:
- order-based genetic algorithm signals for operating said digital computer to generate test sequences which converge on points in invocation space more likely to cause error symptoms;
- and
- test interface signals for operating said digital computer to interpret and execute said test sequences, and return execution results for use in generating subsequent test sequences.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.