System for generating test data

Details System for generating test data System for generating test data

1998-07-06

2001-04-17

Iqbal, Nadeem (Department: 2785)

Error detection/correction and fault detection/recovery

Data processing system error or fault handling

Reliability and availability

C707S793000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06219802

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of computer systems and more particularly to a system for generating test data.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Computer systems running complex interrelated software modules require testing as new revisions of the software modules are introduced and as problems “bugs” are discovered in existing software modules. An example of such a computer system is shown in FIG.
1
. This example shows small part of a telephone network
20
. In this figure, a public telephone
22
is connected to a central office—service switching point (CO/SSP)
24
. The CO/SSP
24
as part of its call processing sends a call record over a signaling network
26
to a service control point (SCP)
28
. The SCP
28
passes the call records on to a fraud detection system
30
. When a new version of the fraud detection system
30
has been developed, it is necessary to test the new version of the fraud detection system
30
before adding it to the telephone network. This requires simulating the flow of call records that the new version of the fraud detection system has been designed to analyze. Ideally, this simulation data would be generated by the actual network elements in a laboratory setting. Often, this is not practical due to a number of reasons, including, limited funds, limited laboratory resources, staggered development cycles of dependent network elements, etc.
Test tools are often used to generate test data when the actual network elements are not available. Test tools that generate data typically are built to generate one highly specialized type of data. A typical test data generation tool is built in such a way that it contains a fixed number of test data record structures internally. These types of test tools are highly useful, but these tools can only generate a fixed set of data records that correspond to the data structures it contains. As networks evolve, data records change and new data records are added. When this happens, conventional test data generation tools need to be rewritten to contain the new data record structures. In the fast evolving world of computer networks, data requirements change often and test data generation test tools are constantly being rewritten. Constant rewrites are time consuming and expensive.
Thus there exists a need for a system of generating test data that is not tied to a fixed set of data records, is inexpensive and can efficiently generate the required test data.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A system for generating test data that overcomes these and other problems has a data structure definition system, a message creation system, and an execution system. The execution system executes the message creation system to create a message having a record built according to the data structure definition system.
The present invention efficiently and inexpensively generates virtually any required test data records. This is accomplished by building a set of test data record structures, which define the test data that will be generated, based on user input. These record structures are built, or “grown”, when the invention is started. The user input is given in a specialized “language” that specifies how the user wants these structures built. This language allows the user to group the atomic elements that make up all records into the desired record structures. This language supports the creation of structures that contain complex relationships between groups of objects (objects are defined as atomic elements and groups of atomic elements). Once these record structures have been grown, the invention can generate these data records in the order and volume specified by the user.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5418793 (1995-05-01), Chang et al.
patent: 5646949 (1997-07-01), Bruce, Jr. et al.
patent: 5732247 (1998-03-01), Dearth et al.
patent: 5740353 (1998-04-01), Kreulen et al.
patent: 5862319 (1999-01-01), Galetti
patent: 5870590 (1999-02-01), Kita et al.
patent: 5905715 (1999-05-01), Azarmi et al.
patent: 6038378 (2000-03-01), Kita et al.
patent: 6067639 (2000-05-01), Rodrigues et al.
Taleshi Sakaguchi, Test data generating Device, Japanese Abstract file, 1-1, Pub. # JP409231103A, Sep. 1997.*
Eiichi Aoki et al., Generating method of data for program test, 1-1, Japanese Abstract file, Pub. #JP358169257A, Oct. 1983.*
RT smart Sockets Manual, Reliable Interprocess Communication, Version 3.5, Talarian, 444 Castro Street, Suite 140, Mountain View, CA 94041.
RT smart Sockets API, Reliable Interprocess Communication, Version 3.5, Talarian, 444 Castro Street, Suite 140, Mountain View, CA 94041.
RT works Utilities Manual, License Manager, Utilities, Macros, RT works 3.5, Talarian, 444 Castro Street, Suite 140, Mountain View, CA 94041.
RT smart Sockets C++Class Library Manual, Version 3.5, Talarian, 444 Castro Street, Suite 140, Mountain View, CA 94041.*
RT smart Sockets Read Me First, Installation, Release Notes, Known Bugs, Demos, Version 3.5, Talarian, 444 Castro Street, Suite 140, Mountain View, CA 94041.*
RT smart Sockets API Quick Reference, Version 3.5, Talarian, 444 Castro Street, Suite 140, Mountain View, CA 94041.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

System for generating test data does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with System for generating test data, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and System for generating test data will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2524006