Method and apparatus for a real time XML reporter

A system for updating an extensible markup language (XML) test result file, comprising:

• an application program that includes application testing instructions, the application testing instructions being capable of generating test result data, the test result data including a key parameter and a value parameter, wherein the key parameter relates to a tag;
• an XML reporter object in communication with the application program, wherein the XML reporter object receives the test result data from the application program, and wherein the XML reporter object processes the test result data to generate an XML based string, the XML based string including a first beginning tag and a first ending tag based on the key parameter, and wherein the XML based string includes the value parameter positioned between the first beginning tag and the first ending tag;
• and
• an XML test results file accessible by the XML reporter object, wherein the XML reporter object inserts the XML based string into the XML test results file, the XML test results file having a second beginning tag and a second ending tag, the XML based string being inserted between the second beginning tag and the second ending tag.