Method and apparatus for test data generation

A method for generating test data within a computer system, comprising the steps of:

• producing an input specification that identifies one or more input data sets, each data set including one or more input data elements, the input specification further identifying a coordinated set selection method of data generation to be performed using a portion of the input data sets, the coordinated set selection method of data generation coordinating one or more input data elements each belonging to one of the input data sets;
• analyzing the input specification to produce analysis information describing the method of generation and the input data sets used in the coordinated set selection method;
• generating one or more output data cases using the analysis information;
• and
• updating the analysis information to produce updated analysis information that reflects the output data cases generated.

A memory comprising:

• machine executable code for associating multiple indices with multiple input data sets, each input data set including a set of input data elements;
• machine executable code for selecting, for each input data set, an input data element of the set of input data elements of that input data set based on one of the multiple indices associated with that input data set;
• and
• machine executable code for generating an output data set that includes the input data element selected for each input data set.

A method executed in a computer system for generating test data, said method comprising the steps of:

• associating an index with a plurality of input data sets;
• selecting an input data element from each of said input data sets in accordance with selection criteria, said input data element selected being identified by said index associated with said input data set comprising said input data element selected, said step of selecting comprising the steps of:
• randomly selecting a first input data element from each of said input data sets, said first input data element identified by an index associated with said each input data set,
• comparing said first input data element to each of said input data elements comprising a window set associated with said each input data set,
• selecting, if said first input data element matches one of said input data elements in said window set associated with said each input data set, a second input data element and updating said window set associated with said each input data set to include said second input data element, and
• selecting, if said first input data element does not match one of said input data elements in said window set associated with said each input data set, said first input data element and updating said window set associated with said each input data set to include said first input data element, said selection criteria including said indices, each of said indices being associated with one of said input data sets, and said window set associated with each of said input data sets identifying one or more previously selected input data elements from the associated input data set;
• and
• generating an output data set comprising said input data elements selected and identified by said index values associated with said plurality of input data sets.

A memory comprising:

• machine executable code for ordering two or more input data sets from a least-significant data set to a most-significant data set, each of said input data sets comprising one or more input data elements ordered from a first input data element with a beginning index value to a last input data element with an ending index value;
• machine executable code for associating an index with each of said input data sets;
• machine executable code for selecting an input data element from each of said input data sets in accordance with selection criteria, said input data element selected being identified by said index associated with said input data set comprising said input data element selected, said machine executable code for selecting comprising:
• machine executable code for selecting one of said input data sets identified by an input data set selector,
• machine executable code for randomly selecting, as identified by an index associated with one of said input data sets, a first input data element from said input data set selected,
• machine executable code for comparing said first input data element to each of said input data elements in a window set, each input data element of the window set identifying a previously selected input data element of said input data set currently identified by said input set selector,
• machine executable code for selecting a second input data element from said input data set currently identified by said input set selector and machine executable code for updating said window set to include said second input data element which are executed if said input first data element matches one of said input data elements in said window set, and
• machine executable code for selecting said first input data element and machine executable code for updating said window set to include said first input data element which are executed if said first input data element does not match one of said input data elements in said window set, said selection criteria including said index, said window set comprising one or more input data elements, and said input data set selector;
• and
• machine executable code for generating an output data set comprising said input data elements selected and identified by said one or more index values.

A memory comprising:

• machine executable code for ordering two or more input data sets from a least-significant data set to a most-significant data set, each of said input data sets comprising one or more input data elements ordered from a first input data element with a beginning index value to a last input data element with an ending index value;
• machine executable code for associating an index with each of said input data sets;
• machine executable code for selecting an input data element from each of said input data sets in accordance with selection criteria, said input data element selected being identified by said index associated with said input data set comprising said input data element selected, said machine executable code for selecting comprising:
• machine executable code for randomly selecting a first input data element from each of said input data sets, said first input data element identified by an index associated with said each input data set,
• machine executable code for comparing said first input data element to each of said input data elements comprising a window set associated with said each input data set,
• machine executable code for selecting a second input data element and machine executable code for updating said window set associated with said each input data set to include said second input data element which are executed if said first input data element matches one of said input data elements in said window set associated with said each input data set, and
• machine executable code for selecting said first input data element and machine executable code for updating said window set associated with said each input data set to include said first input data element which are executed if said first input data element does not match one of said input data elements in said window set associated with said each input data set, said selection criteria including said indices and said window set associated with each of said input data sets identifying one or more previously selected input data elements from the associated input data set, each of said indices being associated with one of said input data sets;
• and
• machine executable code for generating an output data set comprising said input data elements selected and identified by said one or more index values.