Computer software testing management

Details Computer software testing management Computer software testing management

2000-02-08

2001-04-17

Powell, Mark R. (Department: 2122)

Data processing: software development, installation, and managem

Software program development tool

Translation of code

C717S152000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06219829

ABSTRACT:

A claim of copyright is hereby made by CenterLine Software, Inc. with respect to the software code contained in Text Appendix A, as of the date of first issuance of a U.S. patent or foreign patent publication based on this application. The copyright owner. has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of Text Appendix A as it appears in the Patent and Trademark office patent file or records, but reserves all other copyright rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to the field of software testing, and more particularly to a software infrastructure called a “test management system” that manages the numerous tests and processes that are used to ensure the quality of a software application.
Test management systems are typically homegrown, i.e., non-commercial, systems built in-house at various software companies or divisions within a software company. These test management systems structure the tests and may provide a certain degree of control over how the tests are executed. Certain test management systems may be integrated with other modern testing tools if the test management system itself is modified.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a method of managing processes for ensuring quality of a software application. The method is implemented in a programmed computer that includes a processor, a data storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. The method includes the following steps:
A) A hierarchy of tests is created and stored in the data storage system of the computer based on input data received through an input device of the computer. The tests include test classes and test cases. Each test case is a procedure that has a run command for verifying at least one function of the software application. Each test class is a collection of at least one descendant test case or test class. At least one of the tests in the hierarchy has a pre-execution rule for performing a pre-requisite action prior to execution of the test. At least one of the tests in the hierarchy has at least one post-execution rule for performing an action after execution of the test
B) Any pre-execution rules of a root test class in the hierarchy are executed.
C) A plurality of descendants of the root test class are executed. This includes the following steps for each executed descendant:
c1) if a descendant is a test class, executing any pre-execution rules of the descendant test class, then executing step C) for the descendant test class replacing the descendant test class for the root test class, and then executing any post-execution rules of the descendant test class; and
c2) if a descendant is a test case, executing any pre-execution rules of the test case, then executing a run command of the test case, and then executing any post-execution rules of the test case.
D) Any post-execution rules of the root test class are executed; and
E) Output information based on the run commands of the test cases is applied to an output device of the computer.
The present invention provides a test management system with highly flexible test structuring capabilities, and with fine-grained control over how tests are executed. The test management system is extensible; i.e., it can integrate with current testing tools or new tools without requiring a modification of the system itself.
More specifically, the test management system according to the present invention uses the concepts of encapsulation and inheritance in order to provide powerful test structuring and test execution capabilities and a framework for integrating with multiple “point tools” that create test cases or help analyze the state of a software program. The test management system is very extensible and new point tools can easily be integrated with the system. The test management system also allows reuse of “rules” specified at different levels in the test structure.
Numerous other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.


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