Method and apparatus for testing web sites

• US 6,138,157 A
• Filed: 10/12/1998
• Issued: 10/24/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Micro Focus LLC (Open Text Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Freshwater Software, Inc. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Meier, John R., Welter, Peter J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrell, Robert B.
• Application Number:
  US09/170,130
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 364/DIG. 1 MS File, 364/DIG. 2 MS File, 709/200, 709/203, 709/220, 709/224
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3688 for test execution, e.g. scheduling of test suites

Abstract

A method for testing a web site includes formulating a test configuration file including a series of test inquiries for a web site to be tested, initiating a HTTP communication to form a connection with the web site, and repetitively communicating with the web site to test for a variety of errors. The repetitive communication preferably includes receiving HTML from the web site, analyzing the HTML for errors and storing results in the database, and formulating a new HTTP communication based upon the received HTML and the test configuration file. Preferably, the test configuration file is created by sending HTML comprising a blank testing form to a web browser, receiving HTTP from the web browser as a submission from the HTML testing form, and developing the test configuration file from the HTTP.

Claims

1. A method for testing a web site comprising:

formulating a test configuration file comprising a series of test inquiries for a web site to be tested;

initiating an HTTP communication to form a connection with said web site; and

repetitively communicating with said web site by;

receiving HTML from said web site;

analyzing said HTML for errors and storing results in a database; and

formulating a new HTTP communication based upon said received HTML and said test configuration file.

2. A method for testing a web site as recited in claim 1 wherein said method is implemented as a computer implemented process.

3. A method for testing a web site as recited in claim 2 wherein said computer implemented process is capable of direct HTTP and HTML communication with said web site.

4. A method for testing a web site as recited in claim 3 wherein said direct HTTP and HTML communication is over a TCP/IP protocol network.

5. A method for testing a web site as recited in claim 1 wherein said operation of formulating a test configuration file comprises:

sending HTML comprising a blank testing form to a web browser;

receiving HTTP from said web browser as a submission from said HTML testing form; and

developing said test configuration file from said HTTP from said web browser.

6. A method for testing a web site as recited in claim 5 wherein said operation of formulating a test configuration file further comprises:

developing a filled testing form from an existing test configuration file;

sending HTML comprising said filled testing form to a web browser;

receiving HTTP from said web browser as a submission from said HTML testing form; and

updating said test configuration file from said HTTP from said web browser.

7. A method for testing a web site as recited in claim 1 wherein said test configuration file provides a plurality of tests selected from the group comprising a URL, a link, a form button, and a frame.

8. A method for testing a web site as recited in claim 7 wherein said test configuration file includes comparison data used to compare HTML received from said web server with a predetermined criteria.

9. A method for testing a web site as recited in claim 1 further comprising analyzing said database and providing a display of the results of said web site testing.

10. A method for testing a web site as recited in claim 1 further comprising analyzing said database and sending alerts of the results of said web site testing.

11. A method for testing a web site as recited in claim 1 wherein said test configuration file comprises an automatic scheduling for testing said web site.

12. A method for testing a web site as recited in claim 1 wherein said automatic scheduling includes scheduling window information, and test repetition information.

13. A method for testing a web site as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

creating a monitor object from said test configuration file; and

repetitively testing said web site by

evoking said monitor object;

determining whether said monitor object is scheduled to be run; and

running said monitor object when it is scheduled to be run to initiate said HTTP communication to form a connection with said web site and by repetitively communicating with said web site.

14. A computer readable media including the program instructions and data for implementing the method of claim 1.

15. An apparatus for testing a web site comprising:

a computer having memory and a processor;

a monitor object residing at least partially in said memory and executed by said processor, said monitor object including

means for initiating an HTTP communication to form a connection with a web site; and

means for repetitively communicating with said web site by

receiving HTML from said web server;

analyzing said HTML for errors and storing results in a database; and

formulating a new HTTP communication based upon said received HTML.

16. An apparatus for testing a web site as recited in claim 15 further comprising:

a scheduler operative to

invoke said monitor object;

determine whether said monitor object is scheduled to be run; and

running said monitor object when it is scheduled to be run to initiate said HTTP communication to form a connection with said web site and by repetitively communicating with said web site.

17. An apparatus for testing a web site as recited in claim 16 further comprising:

means for creating said monitor object from a test configuration file.

18. An apparatus for testing a web site as recited in claim 17 further comprising:

means for creating said test configuration file by communication with a web browser.

19. A system for testing a web site comprising:

a TCP/IP protocol network;

a web server connected to said TCP/IP protocol network and hosting a web site;

a testing computer connected to said TCP/IP protocol network, said testing computer having memory and a processor, said testing computer being operative to formulate a test configuration file stored in said memory comprising a series of test inquiries for a web site to be tested, to initiate an HTTP communication to form a connection with said web site, and to repetitively communicate with said web site by receiving HTML from said web site;

analyzing said HTML for errors and storing results in a database; and

formulating a new HTTP communication based upon said received HTML and said test configuration file.

20. A system for testing a web site as recited in claim 19 wherein said testing computer includes a monitor object residing at least partially in said memory and executed by said processor.

21. A system for testing a web site as recited in claim 20 wherein said testing computer includes a scheduler operative to invoke said monitor object, determine whether said monitor object is scheduled to be run;

and running said monitor object when it is scheduled to be run to initiate said HTTP communication to form a connection with said web site and by repetitively communicating with said web site.

22. An apparatus for testing a web site comprising:

computer means including

means for formulating a test configuration file comprising a series of test inquiries for a web site to be tested;

means for initiating an HTTP communication to form a connection with said web site; and

means for repetitively communicating with said web site by;

receiving HTML from said web site;

analyzing said HTML for errors and storing results in a database; and

formulating a new HTTP communication based upon said received HTML and said test configuration file; and

connecting means for connecting said computer means to a TCP/IP network through which said web site can be accessed.

23. An apparatus for testing a web site as recited in claim 22 wherein said means for formulating a test configuration file comprises:

means for sending HTML comprising a blank testing form to a web browser;

means for receiving HTTP from said web browser as a submission from said HTML testing form; and

means for developing said test configuration file from said HTTP from said web browser.

24. An apparatus for testing a web site as recited in claim 23 wherein said means for formulating a test configuration file further comprises:

means for developing a filled testing form from an existing test configuration file;

means for sending HTML comprising said filled testing form to a web browser;

means for receiving HTTP from said web browser as a submission from said HTML testing form; and

means for updating said test configuration file from said HTTP from said web browser.