US 7,080,356 B2 · Certification test suite

Abstract

A system and method for assessing binary compatibility between software modules permits software developers to register with a system, download software tools for testing binary compatibility between their software products and one or more ABIs. The system further enables software developers to certify their binary compatibility with one or more ABIs by uploading compatibility information to the system. A unique identifier of the software, e.g., the MD5 signature of the binary code, may be uploaded with the results of the compatibility test. The results of the compatibility test and the unique identifier may be stored in a database to record whether the developer's software is binary compatible with one or more of the ABIs. In addition, computer users may register with the system, utilize a tool that collects the MD5 signatures of the binary files on their computer(s) and forward the MD5 signatures to the system. The system may receive the MD5 signatures, compare them to the MD5 signatures on record, and generate a report indicating the binary compatibility of the files resident on the user's computer system.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A computer-based method for determining compatibility between a first software module and a second software module, comprising:

receiving registration information from a subscriber, the subscriber being associated with a subscriber computer system;
storing the registration information in a computer readable storage medium;
providing a compatibility testing tool kit to the subscriber;
receiving a certification request from the subscriber;
assigning an identifier that uniquely identifies the first software module as being associated with the subscriber's computer system, wherein the identifier is a MD5 signature;
in response to the certification request, performing an analysis of the first software module for compatibility with the second software module, wherein performing includes comparing the identifier of the first software module to a list of unique identifiers associated with the second software module to determine if the first software module is compatible with the second software module, and wherein performing further includes statically examining executable and shared objects and ensuring that one or more path names are valid and portable;
and
storing the results of the analysis and the identifier in a computer readable storage medium.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Certification test suite

Life of this patent

Certification test suite

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18