US5634002A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for testing graphical user interface programs
Assignee: Sun Microsystems Inc
•
Filing: 1995-05-31
•
Granted: 1997-05-27
•
Expires: 2015-05-31
Abstract
Abstract In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an improved method and system for testing a graphical user interface program. The preferred embodiment provides improved performance over prior methods because it decouples the testing of an program's engine component from the testing of its GUI component. The preferred method begins the testing process by invoking test functions that send data to the program's engine component. The data simulates user action on the graphical user interface of the program. In response to receiving the data, the engine component processes the simulated user action as if it had been sent from the graphical user interface component. The preferred method captures the results of this processing and uses the results to determine whether the engine component is performing properly. By testing the engine component without invoking the graphical user interface component, the preferred embodiment reduces the overall time spent testing the GUI program and allows the testing of the program to begin at an earlier point in the development process than had earlier been possible.
Inventors
- 👤 George A. Polk
- 👤 Vladimir G. Ivanovic
- 👤 Hans E. Muller
- 👤 John S. Kern
- 👤 Robert Jervis
- 👤 Rance DeLong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:32
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/36; G06F11/3668; G06F11/3696; G06F11/3672; G06F11/3688
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A method executable in a computer system for testing a graphical user interface program, the program including a first component and a second component, the computer system including a processor, a memory, and a mechanism for communicating between the processor and the memory, the memory including the program and a test function component, the method comprising the steps of: initiating execution of a test function from the test function component; in response to execution of the test function, directly initiating execution of the first component; capturing data produced by the first component; and determining whether the captured data indicates that the first component is performing properly, whereby execution of the first component is not initiated by the second component in response to the execution of the test function.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
128 words
A method executable in a computer system for testing a graphical user interface program, the program including a first component and a second component, the computer system including a processor, a memory, and a mechanism for communicating between the processor and the memory, the memory including the program and a test function component, the method comprising the steps of: initiating execution of a test function from the test function component; in response to execution of the test function, directly initiating execution of the first component; capturing data produced by the first component; and determining whether the captured data indicates that the first component is performing properly, whereby execution of the first component is not initiated by the second component in response to the execution of the test function.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of initiating execution of the test function further includes the steps of: selecting from a test script, a request to initiate execution of at least one test function from the test function component; sending the request to the program; and in response to receiving the request, initiating execution of the test function identified in the request.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the test script is implemented as a first process and the graphical user interface program is implemented as a second process.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 2 wherein a component, distinct from the test script and the program, implements the steps of selecting and sending.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the test function component is included in the graphical user interface program.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 5 further including the step of converting the graphical user interface program, including the test function component, into an object file.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the test function component is part of a library.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the library is dynamically linked to the graphical user interface program.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of testing the second component by examining whether a callback mechanism is invoked in response to receiving data in the program.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining is performed by a test script.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
153 words
A method executable in a computer system for testing a graphical user interface program, the program including an engine component and a graphical user interface component, the computer system including a display device, a processor, and a memory, the memory including the program and a test function component, the method comprising the steps of: selecting from a test script, a request to initiate execution of at least one test function from the test function component; sending the request to the program; in response to receiving the request, initiating execution of the test function identified in the request; in response to execution of the test function, initiating execution of the graphical user interface component; capturing data produced by the graphical user interface component; and determining whether the captured data indicates that the graphical user interface component is performing properly, whereby the graphical user interface component is tested without initiating execution of the engine component.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
153 words
A method executable in a computer system for testing a graphical user interface program, the program including an engine component and a graphical user interface component, the computer system including a display device, a processor, and a memory, the memory including the program and a test function component, the method comprising the steps of: selecting from a test script, a request to initiate execution of at least one test function from the test function component; sending the request to the program; in response to receiving the request, initiating execution of the test function identified in the request; in response to execution of the test function, initiating execution of the graphical user interface component; capturing data produced by the graphical user interface component; and determining whether the captured data indicates that the graphical user interface component is performing properly, whereby the graphical user interface component is tested without initiating execution of the engine component.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
147 words
A method executable in a computer system for testing a graphical user interface program, the program including a first component and a second component, the computer system including a processor, a memory, and a mechanism for communicating between the processor and the memory, the memory including the program and a test function component, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first mechanism for initiating execution of a test function from the test function component; providing a second mechanism, responsive to execution of the test function, for directly initiating execution of the first component; providing a third mechanism for capturing data produced by the first component; and providing a fourth mechanism for determining whether the captured data indicates that the first component is performing properly, whereby execution of the first component is not initiated by the second component in response to the execution of the test function.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
147 words
A method executable in a computer system for testing a graphical user interface program, the program including a first component and a second component, the computer system including a processor, a memory, and a mechanism for communicating between the processor and the memory, the memory including the program and a test function component, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first mechanism for initiating execution of a test function from the test function component; providing a second mechanism, responsive to execution of the test function, for directly initiating execution of the first component; providing a third mechanism for capturing data produced by the first component; and providing a fourth mechanism for determining whether the captured data indicates that the first component is performing properly, whereby execution of the first component is not initiated by the second component in response to the execution of the test function.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the step of providing a mechanism for initiating execution of the test function further includes the steps of: providing a fifth mechanism for selecting from a test script, a request to initiate execution of at least one test function from the test function component; providing a sixth mechanism for sending the request to the program; and providing a seventh mechanism, responsive to receiving the request, for initiating execution of the test function identified in the request.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
181 words
A method executable in a computer system for testing a graphical user interface program, the program including an engine component and a graphical user interface component, the computer system including a display device, a processor, and a memory, the memory including the program and a test function component, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first mechanism for selecting from a test script, a request to initiate execution of at least one test function from the test function component; providing a second mechanism for sending the request to the program; providing a third mechanism, responsive to receiving the request, for initiating execution of the test function identified in the request; providing a fourth mechanism, responsive to execution of the test function, for initiating execution of the graphical user interface component; providing a fifth mechanism for capturing data produced by the graphical user interface component; and providing a sixth mechanism for determining whether the captured data indicates that the graphical user interface component is performing properly, whereby the graphical user interface component is tested without initiating execution of the engine component.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
181 words
A method executable in a computer system for testing a graphical user interface program, the program including an engine component and a graphical user interface component, the computer system including a display device, a processor, and a memory, the memory including the program and a test function component, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first mechanism for selecting from a test script, a request to initiate execution of at least one test function from the test function component; providing a second mechanism for sending the request to the program; providing a third mechanism, responsive to receiving the request, for initiating execution of the test function identified in the request; providing a fourth mechanism, responsive to execution of the test function, for initiating execution of the graphical user interface component; providing a fifth mechanism for capturing data produced by the graphical user interface component; and providing a sixth mechanism for determining whether the captured data indicates that the graphical user interface component is performing properly, whereby the graphical user interface component is tested without initiating execution of the engine component.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
145 words
A computer system for testing a graphical user interface program, the program including a first component and a second component, the computer system including a processor, a memory, and a mechanism for communicating between the processor and the memory, the memory including the program and a test function component, the computer system comprising: a first program mechanism configured to initiate execution of a test function from the test function component; a second program mechanism, responsive to execution of the test function and configured to directly initiate execution of the first component; a third program mechanism configured to capture data produced by the first component; and a fourth program mechanism configured to determine whether the captured data indicates that the first component is performing properly, whereby execution of the first component is not initiated by the second component in response to execution of the test function.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
145 words
A computer system for testing a graphical user interface program, the program including a first component and a second component, the computer system including a processor, a memory, and a mechanism for communicating between the processor and the memory, the memory including the program and a test function component, the computer system comprising: a first program mechanism configured to initiate execution of a test function from the test function component; a second program mechanism, responsive to execution of the test function and configured to directly initiate execution of the first component; a third program mechanism configured to capture data produced by the first component; and a fourth program mechanism configured to determine whether the captured data indicates that the first component is performing properly, whereby execution of the first component is not initiated by the second component in response to execution of the test function.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
183 words
A computer system for testing a graphical user interface program, the program including an engine component and a graphical user interface component, the computer system including a display device, a processor, and a memory, the memory including the program and a test function component, the computer system comprising: a first program mechanism configured to select from a test script, a request to initiate execution of at least one test function from the test function component; a second program mechanism configured to send the request to the program; a third program mechanism responsive to receiving the request and configured to initiate execution of the test function identified in the request; a fourth program mechanism responsive to execution of the test function and configured to initiate execution of the graphical user interface component; a fifth program mechanism configured to capture data produced by the graphical user interface component; and a sixth program mechanism configured to determine whether the captured data indicates that the graphical user interface component is performing properly, whereby the graphical user interface component is tested without initiating execution of the engine component.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
183 words
A computer system for testing a graphical user interface program, the program including an engine component and a graphical user interface component, the computer system including a display device, a processor, and a memory, the memory including the program and a test function component, the computer system comprising: a first program mechanism configured to select from a test script, a request to initiate execution of at least one test function from the test function component; a second program mechanism configured to send the request to the program; a third program mechanism responsive to receiving the request and configured to initiate execution of the test function identified in the request; a fourth program mechanism responsive to execution of the test function and configured to initiate execution of the graphical user interface component; a fifth program mechanism configured to capture data produced by the graphical user interface component; and a sixth program mechanism configured to determine whether the captured data indicates that the graphical user interface component is performing properly, whereby the graphical user interface component is tested without initiating execution of the engine component.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
115 words
A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for testing a graphical user interface program, the program storage device including an engine component, a graphical user interface component, and a test function component, the method comprising the steps of: initiating execution of a test function from the test function component; in response to execution of the test function, directly initiating execution of the engine component; capturing data produced by the engine component; and determining whether the captured data indicates that the engine component is performing properly, whereby execution of the engine component is not initiated by the graphical user interface component.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
115 words
A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for testing a graphical user interface program, the program storage device including an engine component, a graphical user interface component, and a test function component, the method comprising the steps of: initiating execution of a test function from the test function component; in response to execution of the test function, directly initiating execution of the engine component; capturing data produced by the engine component; and determining whether the captured data indicates that the engine component is performing properly, whereby execution of the engine component is not initiated by the graphical user interface component.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the step of initiating execution of the test function further includes the steps of: selecting from a test script, a request to initiate execution of at least one test function from the test function component; sending the request to the program; and in response to receiving the request, initiating execution of the test function identified in the request.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
152 words
A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for testing a graphical user interface program, the program storage device including an engine component, a graphical user interface component, and a test function component, the method comprising the steps of: selecting from a test script, a request to initiate execution of at least one test function from the test function component; sending the request to the program; in response to receiving the request, initiating execution of the test function identified in the request; in response to execution of the test function, initiating execution of the graphical user interface component; capturing data produced by the graphical user interface component; and determining whether the captured data indicates that the graphical user interface component is performing properly, whereby the graphical user interface component is tested without initiating execution of the engine component.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
152 words
A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for testing a graphical user interface program, the program storage device including an engine component, a graphical user interface component, and a test function component, the method comprising the steps of: selecting from a test script, a request to initiate execution of at least one test function from the test function component; sending the request to the program; in response to receiving the request, initiating execution of the test function identified in the request; in response to execution of the test function, initiating execution of the graphical user interface component; capturing data produced by the graphical user interface component; and determining whether the captured data indicates that the graphical user interface component is performing properly, whereby the graphical user interface component is tested without initiating execution of the engine component.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-05-26 | 2000-11-25 | 2001-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-05-26 | 2004-11-25 | 2005-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-05-26 | 2008-11-25 | 2009-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |