US5892947A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Test support tool system and method
Assignee: Sun Microsystems Inc
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Filing: 1996-07-01
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Granted: 1999-04-06
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Expires: 2016-07-01
Abstract
Abstract A test support tool system and method produce software test programs from a logical description of selected software. Test programs are created by producing a cause-effect graph from the logical description, creating a decision table, producing test cases, and synthesizing test cases into a test program. The test support tool system includes an interface for receiving a logical description of software, a logical database, an analysis and test case generation module, a control module, and a test program synthesis module.
Inventors
- 👤 Rance J. DeLong
- 👤 Jaya R. Carl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 02:21
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/36; G06F11/3668; G06F11/3672; G06F11/3676; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/28; G01R31/2832; G01R31/2834; G06F11/3684
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
A software development system, comprising: an interface for receiving a logical software description created with a logical language processor; a logical database for communication with said interface; a test case generation mechanism; a test program synthesis mechanism; and a computer for controlling the logical database, the test generation module, and the test program synthesis module.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
55 words
A software development system, comprising: an interface for receiving a logical software description created with a logical language processor; a logical database for communication with said interface; a test case generation mechanism; a test program synthesis mechanism; and a computer for controlling the logical database, the test generation module, and the test program synthesis module.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
54 words
A method comprising: creating a logical description of selected software; organizing said logical description into a cause-effect graph; converting the cause-effect chart into a decision table; producing test cases from said decision table; and producing a test program by synthesizing said test cases, wherein said logical description is created with a logical language processor.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
54 words
A method comprising: creating a logical description of selected software; organizing said logical description into a cause-effect graph; converting the cause-effect chart into a decision table; producing test cases from said decision table; and producing a test program by synthesizing said test cases, wherein said logical description is created with a logical language processor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said logical description is stored in a logical database.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 2 including analyzing the logical description with selected heuristics.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said test cases are synthesized into a test program with a rule base.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said test program is translated into an imperative language.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 2 including running said test program in a selected test environment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 7, including indicating correctness depending upon the results of said test program.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method according to claim 2 including filtering invalid test cases.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 2 including determining test case selection based upon empirical observation.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
40 words
A method of automated software test program generation comprising: making a logical description of selected software; producing at least a single test case from the logical description; and synthesizing a test program from the at least a single test case.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
40 words
A method of automated software test program generation comprising: making a logical description of selected software; producing at least a single test case from the logical description; and synthesizing a test program from the at least a single test case.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
102 words
A computer product comprising a storage medium having computer readable code embodied therein for generating a software test program, the computer product comprising: a computer readable program code device for receiving and storing a logical description of a selected software design; a computer readable program code device for converting said logical description into a cause-effect graph; a computer readable program code device for converting the cause-effect graph into a decision table; a computer readable program code device for producing test cases from said decision table; and a computer readable program code device for producing a software test program by synthesizing test cases.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
102 words
A computer product comprising a storage medium having computer readable code embodied therein for generating a software test program, the computer product comprising: a computer readable program code device for receiving and storing a logical description of a selected software design; a computer readable program code device for converting said logical description into a cause-effect graph; a computer readable program code device for converting the cause-effect graph into a decision table; a computer readable program code device for producing test cases from said decision table; and a computer readable program code device for producing a software test program by synthesizing test cases.
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) | 2002-04-05 | 2002-10-05 | 2003-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-04-05 | 2006-10-05 | 2007-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-04-05 | 2010-10-05 | 2011-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |