US 5,737,609 A · Method and apparatus for testing object-oriented programming constructs

Abstract

The invention provides methods and apparatus for generating, from a source signal defining a subject class to be tested, an inspection signal defining an inspection class that has one or more members for (i) generating a test object as an instantiation of the subject class or a class derived therefrom, (ii) invoking one or more selected method members of the test object, and (iii) generating a reporting signal based upon an outcome of invocation of those members. he inspection class, as defined by the inspection signal, can include one or more method members, referred to as "inspection members," for testing corresponding method members of the test object (and, therefore, in the subject class). So-called "test suite members," that are also defined as part of the inspection class, exercise the inspection members. The invention also provides methods and apparatus for responding to an inspection signal to create an inspection object instantiating the inspection class. Members of the inspection object are invoked to create the test object, to invoke method members thereof and to generate a signal reporting an effect of such invocation. The test object members can be invoked by corresponding inspection members of the inspection class, which in turn can be invoked by test suite members of the inspection class.

Claims92

Dependent claims

A method for testing a subject class in an object-oriented digital data processing system, said method comprising the step of:

(A) responding to a source signal defining said subject class to generate an inspection signal defining an inspection class having one or more members for
(i) creating a test object as an instantiation of any of said subject class and a class derived therefrom,
(ii) invoking one or more selected method members of said test object,
(iii) generating a signal, hereinafter referred to as a report signal, reporting an effect of such invocation.

1 more element

Apparatus for testing a subject class in an object-oriented digital data processing system, said apparatus comprising:

(A) code generator means for responding to a source signal defining said subject class to generate an inspection signal defining an inspection class having one or more members for
(i) creating a test object as an instantiation of any of said subject class and a class derived therefrom,
(ii) invoking one or more selected method members of said test object,
(iii) generate a signal, hereinafter referred to as a report signal, reporting an effect of such invocation, and
(B) test harness means, coupled to said code generator means, for responding to said inspection signal for creating an inspection object instantiating said inspection class, and for generating an inspection object invocation signal for invoking one or more members thereof.

2 more elements

Apparatus for testing a subject class in an object-oriented digital data processing system, said apparatus comprising:

test harness means for responding to an inspection signal defining an inspection class having one or more members for
(i) creating a test object as an instantiation of any of said subject class and a class derived therefrom,
(ii) invoking one or more selected method members of said test object,
(iii) generating a signal, hereinafter referred to as a report signal, reporting an effect of such invocation
for creating an inspection object instantiating an inspection class, and for generating an inspection object invocation signal for invoking one or members thereof,
(B) inspection object execution means, coupled to said test harness means, for responding to said inspection object invocation signal for
(i) creating said test object,
(ii) generating a test object invocation signal to invoke one or more selected method members of said test object,
(iii) generate a signal, hereinafter referred to as a report signal, reporting an effect of such invocation,
(C) test object execution means, coupled to said inspection object execution means, for responding to said test object invocation signal to execute one or more selected method members thereof.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for testing object-oriented programming constructs

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for testing object-oriented programming constructs

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims92