Generating self-checking test cases from a reduced case analysis graph using path inheritance

A system for generating a test case, the system comprising:

• a test bench configured to execute a test plan on a design under test (DUT);
• and
• a processor, coupled to the test bench, and configured to
• generate a first test case for a design under test (DUT) wherein the processor is further configured to
• traverse a first path through a hierarchy of goals from a start goal to an end goal, wherein
• a first parent goal traversed in a first level of the hierarchy of goals comprises a first definition of one or more of a slot and a method, and
• traversal of the first parent goal results in executing an action associated with the first parent goal and subsequently selecting a child goal of the first parent goal for evaluation, and
• assume the first definition of the slot or the method by a child goal in a second level of the hierarchy of goals, if the child goal requires the slot or the method, wherein
• said assuming the first definition of the slot or method comprises searching the first path upstream to the first parent goal for the first definition of the slot or method.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions for generating a test case, the instructions comprising:

• a first set of instructions, executable by a processor, configured to generate a first test case for a design under test (DUT), said first set of instructions comprising
• a second set of instructions, executable on the processor, configured to traverse a first path through a hierarchy of goals from a start goal to an end goal, wherein
• a first parent goal traversed in a first level of the hierarchy of goals comprises a first definition of one or more of a slot and a method, and
• traversal of the first parent goal results in executing an action associated with the first parent goal and subsequently selecting a child goal of the first parent goal for evaluation, and
• a third set of instructions, executable on the processor, configured to assume the first definition of the slot or the method by a child goal in a second level of the hierarchy of goals, if the child goal requires the slot or the method, wherein
• said assuming the first definition of the slot or method comprises searching the first path upstream to the first parent goal for the first definition of the slot or method.

An apparatus for generating a test case, the apparatus comprising:

• a test bench configured to execute a test plan on a design under test (DUT);
• and
• means for generating a first test case of the test plan for the design under test (DUT), said means for generating the first test case comprising
• means for traversing a first path through a hierarchy of goals from a start goal to an end goal, wherein
• a first parent goal traversed in a first level of the hierarchy of goals comprises a first definition of one or more of a slot and a method, and
• traversal of the first parent goal results in executing an action associated with the first parent goal and subsequently selecting a child goal of the first parent goal for evaluation, and
• means for assuming the first definition of the slot or the method by a child goal in a second level of the hierarchy of goals, if the child goal requires the slot or the method, wherein
• said means for assuming the first definition of the slot or method comprises means for searching the first path upstream to the first parent goal for the first definition of the slot or method.