US6182245B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Software test case client/server system and method
Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Ltd
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Filing: 1998-08-31
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Granted: 2001-01-30
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Expires: 2018-08-31
Abstract
Abstract A software test case client/server system provides selective access to a central repository of test case data used in testing a software program. A test case server stores and manages test case data in a central repository. A test client communicates between a test program and the test server to identify tests case data, and versions of such data, with desired read/write status required in testing a software program. A test program automates selection of test case data, software program test execution, and verification of software program results. In an exemplary embodiment, symbolic links and copies of test case data are recorded in a destination directory structure accessible by a software program under test. In an alternate embodiment, a revision control system (RCS) is used to access the central repository and provide copies of selected test case data in a destination directory structure accessible by a software program under test. A method for communicating and implementing the desired test case access includes instructions initiated by a test client and received by a test server. A central repository administration application allows a user to organize, supplement and otherwise manage test case data and versions of such data. The client/server configuration further facilitates access by a plurality of users to a shared central repository of test case data without corrupting the test case data therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Benjamin P. Akin
- 👤 Matthew G. Michels
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 08:26
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/36; G06F11/3668; G06F11/3672
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A system for providing a software program with selective access to a plurality of test case data elements, said system comprising: a destination directory structure coupled to said software program; a central repository that stores said plurality of test case data elements in a storage medium, said central repository being remote from said destination directory structure; a test server coupled to said central repository; a test program that initiates a test case instruction identifying a data element of said plurality of test case data elements in said central repository; and a test client coupled said test server and said test program to receive said test case instruction from said test program and to request an access structure to said identified data element from said test server, said access structure to said identified data element being established in said destination directory structure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
141 words
A system for providing a software program with selective access to a plurality of test case data elements, said system comprising: a destination directory structure coupled to said software program; a central repository that stores said plurality of test case data elements in a storage medium, said central repository being remote from said destination directory structure; a test server coupled to said central repository; a test program that initiates a test case instruction identifying a data element of said plurality of test case data elements in said central repository; and a test client coupled said test server and said test program to receive said test case instruction from said test program and to request an access structure to said identified data element from said test server, said access structure to said identified data element being established in said destination directory structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a execution instruction generated by said test program that initiates an execution of said software program based on said identified data element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said identified data element contains expected results of an execution of said software program, the system further comprising a verification module that compares actual results of said execution of said software program with said expected results of said execution accessible in said destination directory structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said test case instruction comprises a data structure that includes a test case data element identifier, an associated read/write status, an associated location parameter defining a location in said destination directory structure, and an associated version parameter identifying a version of said identified data element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said identified data element is located in said central repository and said access to said identified data element comprises a symbolic link to said identified data element, if said associated read/write status equals read-only, said symbolic link being located in said destination directory structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said identified data element is located in said central repository and said access to said identified data element comprises a copy of said identified data element, if said associated read/write status equals write-able, said copy being located in said destination directory structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said access to said identified data element comprises a copy of said identified test case data element provided from a revision control system directory located in said central repository.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said test case instruction comprises a test case identifier defining a specified subset of said plurality of test case data elements to said software program requires access via said destination directory structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said central repository is located in said test server, and said software program and said destination directory structure are located at a client test system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said central repository stores a plurality of versions of at least one of said plurality of test case data elements, and said identified data element is a past version of one of said plurality of test case data elements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a central repository administration application for managing data and labels associated with said test case data elements stored in said central repository.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for providing a software program with selective access to a plurality of test case data elements, said software program being coupled to a destination directory structure, said method comprising the steps of: providing a central repository that stores said plurality of test case data elements in a storage medium, said central repository being remote from said destination directory structure; providing a test server coupled to said central repository; managing access to said central repository; sending a test case instruction that identifies a data element of a data element of said plurality of test case data elements in said central repository; receiving said test case instruction at a test server; locating said identified data element in said central repository; and establishing an access structure in said destination directory structure that provides access to said identified data element.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for providing a software program with selective access to a plurality of test case data elements, said software program being coupled to a destination directory structure, said method comprising the steps of: providing a central repository that stores said plurality of test case data elements in a storage medium, said central repository being remote from said destination directory structure; providing a test server coupled to said central repository; managing access to said central repository; sending a test case instruction that identifies a data element of a data element of said plurality of test case data elements in said central repository; receiving said test case instruction at a test server; locating said identified data element in said central repository; and establishing an access structure in said destination directory structure that provides access to said identified data element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the step of establishing an access structure comprises the step of copying said identified data element to said destination directory structure, if said identified data element was requested with a write-able status.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the step of establishing an access structure comprises the step of creating in said destination directory structure a symbolic link to said identified data element in said central repository, if said identified data element was requested with a read-only status.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the step receiving said test case instruction at a test server comprises the step of receiving a test case data element identifier, an associated read/write status, an associated location parameter defining a location in said destination directory structure, and an associated version parameter identifying a version of said identified data element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of initiating execution of said software program such that said software program operates on said access structure in said destination directory structure.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said identified data element represents an expected result of an execution of said software program, and further comprising the step of verifying an actual result of an execution of said software program with said expected result.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of deleting said access structure if, responsive to said verifying step, said actual results match said expected result.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of executing a modified version of said software program if, responsive to said verifying step, said actual results do not match said expected result.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
134 words
A system for providing a software program with selective access to a plurality of test case data elements, said system comprising: a destination directory structure coupled to said software program; a central repository that stores said plurality of test case data elements in a storage medium, said central repository being remote from said destination directory structure; a test server coupled to said central repository; means for sending a test case instruction that identifies a data element of a data element of said plurality of test case data elements in said central repository; means for receiving said test case instruction at said test server; means for locating said identified data element in said central repository; and means for establishing an access structure in said destination directory structure that provides access to said identified data element.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
134 words
A system for providing a software program with selective access to a plurality of test case data elements, said system comprising: a destination directory structure coupled to said software program; a central repository that stores said plurality of test case data elements in a storage medium, said central repository being remote from said destination directory structure; a test server coupled to said central repository; means for sending a test case instruction that identifies a data element of a data element of said plurality of test case data elements in said central repository; means for receiving said test case instruction at said test server; means for locating said identified data element in said central repository; and means for establishing an access structure in said destination directory structure that provides access to said identified data element.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 20 wherein said identified data element resides in said central repository and said access structure is a link to said identified data element.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 20 wherein said identified data element resides in said central repository and said access structure is a copy of said identified data element.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
151 words
A program storage medium, readable by a computer, tangibly embodying a test program of instructions executable by said computer for providing a software program with selective access to a plurality of test case data elements, said software program being coupled to a destination directory structure, the test program comprising instructions for: providing a central repository that stores said plurality of test case data elements in a storage medium, access to said central repository being managed by a test server, said destination directory structure being remote from said central repository; sending a test case instruction that identifies a data element of a data element of said plurality of test case data elements in said central repository; receiving said test case instruction at a test server; locating said identified data element in said central repository; and establishing an access structure in said destination directory structure that provides access to said identified data element.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
151 words
A program storage medium, readable by a computer, tangibly embodying a test program of instructions executable by said computer for providing a software program with selective access to a plurality of test case data elements, said software program being coupled to a destination directory structure, the test program comprising instructions for: providing a central repository that stores said plurality of test case data elements in a storage medium, access to said central repository being managed by a test server, said destination directory structure being remote from said central repository; sending a test case instruction that identifies a data element of a data element of said plurality of test case data elements in said central repository; receiving said test case instruction at a test server; locating said identified data element in said central repository; and establishing an access structure in said destination directory structure that provides access to said identified data element.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The program storage medium of claim 23 wherein said identified data element resides in said central repository and said access structure is a link to said identified data element.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
The program storage medium of claim 23 wherein said identified data element resides in said central repository and said access structure is a copy of said identified data element.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-01-30 | 2004-07-31 | 2005-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-30 | 2008-07-31 | 2009-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-30 | 2012-07-31 | 2013-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |