Method for checking path coverage in software tests

• US 6,694,456 B1
• Filed: 06/07/2000
• Issued: 02/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Redknee Inc.
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Ludwig, Ralf-Carsten
• Primary Examiner(s): Beausoliel, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): McCarthy, Christopher S.
• Application Number:
  US09/555,995
• Time in Patent Office: 1,350 Days
• Field of Search: 714/48, 714/38, 714/57, 717/162, 717/132, 717/128, 717/127, 717/125, 717/124
• US Class Current: 714/38.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3676 for coverage analysis

Abstract

A method for the graphic presentation of the results of tests of software programs. The software program to be tested is composed of module building blocks and the software program can be presented in the form of a run graph. A run log was produced in the test of this software program.

A critical precondition of the inventive method is that the software program to be tested can be resolved into individual program modules. The program run can then be simply displayed as a graph in which the individual program modules are connected to one another (by edges) in the run sequence. A test run protocol (trace protocol) is produced when testing the software program, this protocol containing particulars about the test run, i.e. the reactions of the program to be tested to the individual test instances, for example to the software modules (SIB names) that are respectively traversed. This trace protocol is automatically interpreted and the modules and paths that were traversed are then optically marked in the run graph.

Claims

1. A method for graphic presentation of results of tests of software programs for a realization of telecommunication services, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a software program for testing, said software program comprising a number of module building blocks;

presenting said software program in a form of a run graph, said run graph graphically presenting said module building blocks appropriately connected by connecting lines;

producing a run protocol during a test of said software program;

marking all test results of said test in a presentation of said run graph; and

marking those module building blocks and connecting lines of said run graph that were not traversed during said test.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

marking a program path run during said test on said run graph by graphically emphasizing connecting lines between module building blocks that were traversed during said test.

3. A method for graphic presentation of results of test of software programs for a realization of telecommunication services, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a software program for testing, said software program comprising a number of module building blocks;

presenting said software program in a form of a run graph, said run graph graphically presenting said module building blocks appropriately connected by connecting lines;

producing a run protocol during a test of said software program;

making all test results of said test in a presentation of said run graph;

comparing said test results to an anticipated test result;

making those module building blocks and connecting lines of said run graph that were incorrectly traversed during said test; and

making those module building blocks and connecting lines of said run graph that were not traversed during said test.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of:

marking a program path run during said test on said run graph by graphically emphasizing connecting lines between module building blocks that were traversed during said test.