Language-driven interface for an automated testing framework

• US 6,907,546 B1
• Filed: 03/27/2000
• Issued: 06/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited (Accenture PLC)
• Original Assignee: Accenture LLP (Accenture PLC)
• Inventors: Schramm, Kevin, Young, Robert J., Haswell, John Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Beausoliel, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): MASKULINSKI, MICHAEL C
• Application Number:
  US09/536,879
• Time in Patent Office: 1,905 Days
• Field of Search: 714/38, 714/37, 714/25, 714/43, 714/46, 714/31, 714/33, 714/707, 717/124, 717/126, 717/134, 717/135, 703/22, 709/224, 379/29.01
• US Class Current: 714/38.11
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3684 for test design, e.g. generating new test cases

Abstract

To test the functionality of a computer system, automated testing may use an automation testing tool that emulates user interactions. A database may store words each having a colloquial meaning that is understood by a general population. For each of these words, the database may store associated computer instructions that can be executed to cause a computer to perform the function that is related to the meaning of the word. During testing, a word may be received having a colloquial meaning that is understood by a general population. The database may be queried for the received word and the set of computer instructions may be returned by the database. The automated testing tool may then perform the function returned to the colloquial meaning of the word. The words stored in the database may be in English or another language.

Claims

1. A method for automated testing using an automation testing tool that emulates user interactions for testing the functionality of a computer system, the method comprising:

receiving a word having a colloquial meaning;

querying a database for the word, the database containing a plurality of words, each word having associated with it a set of one or more computer instructions which, when executed by the automation testing tool, causes the computer to perform a function that is related to the colloquial meaning of the word;

retrieving the instruction set corresponding to the word from the database; and

performing the function through use of the automated testing tool that is related to the colloquial meaning of the word;

where the colloquial meaning of the word is understood by a general population.

2. The method for automated testing from claim 1, wherein the word is from the English language.

3. The method for automated testing from claim 1, wherein the automation testing tool is software developed by MERCURY INTERACTIVE commonly known as WINRUNNER.

4. The method for automated testing from claim 1, wherein the steps of receiving, querying, retrieving and performing are carried out with respect to a plurality of words.

5. A method for automated testing using an automation testing tool that emulates user interactions for testing the functionality of a computer system, the method comprising:

receiving a word having a colloquial meaning;

querying a database for the word, the database containing a plurality of words, each word having associated with it a set of one or more computer Instructions which, when executed by the automation testing tool, causes the computer to perform a function that Is related to the colloquial meaning of the word;

retrieving the instruction set corresponding to the word from the database;

performing the function through use of the automated testing tool that is related to the colloquial meaning of the word; and

presenting the instruction set to a user in human-readable form;

where the colloquial meaning of the word is understood by a general population.

6. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for automated testing using an automation testing tool that emulates user interactions for testing the functionality of a computer system, comprising:

a code segment for receiving a word having a colloquial meaning;

a code segment for querying a database for the word, the database containing a plurality of words, each word having associated with it a set of one or more computer instructions which, when executed by the automation testing tool, causes the computer to perform a function that Is related to the colloquial meaning of the word;

a code segment for retrieving the Instruction set corresponding to the word from the database; and

a code segment for performing the function through use of the automated testing tool that is related to the colloquial meaning of the word;

where the colloquial meaning of the word is understood by a general population.

7. The computer program from claim 6, wherein the word is from the English language.

8. The computer program from claim 6, wherein the automation testing tool Is software developed by MERCURY INTERACTIVE commonly known as WINRUNNER.

9. The computer program from claim 6, wherein the code segments for receiving, querying, retrieving and performing are executed with respect to a plurality of words.

10. A system for automated testing using an automation testing tool that emulates user interactions for testing the functionality of a computer system, comprising:

logic for receiving a word having a colloquial meaning;

logic for querying a database for the word, the database containing a plurality of words, each word having associated with it a set of one or more computer instructions which, when executed by the automation testing tool, causes the computer to perform a function that is related to the colloquial meaning of the word;

logic for retrieving the instruction set corresponding to the word from the database; and

logic for performing the function through use of the automated testing tool that is related to the colloquial meaning of the word;

where the colloquial meaning of the word is understood by a general population.

11. The system for automated testing from claim 10, wherein the word is from the English language.

12. The system for automated testing from claim 10, wherein the automation testing tool is software developed by MERCURY INTERACTIVE commonly known as WINRUNNER.

13. The system for automated testing from claim 10, wherein the logic for receiving, querying, retrieving and performing is performed with respect to a plurality of words.

14. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for automated testing using an automation testing tool that emulates user interactions for testing the functionality of a computer system, comprising:

a code segment for receiving a word having a colloquial meaning;

a code segment for querying a database for the word, the database containing a plurality of words, each word having associated with it a set of one or more computer instructions which, when executed by the automation testing tool, causes the computer to perform a function that is related to the colloquial meaning of the word;

a code segment for retrieving the instruction set corresponding to the word from the database;

a code segment for performing the function through use of the automated testing tool that is related to the colloquial meaning of the word; and

a code segment for presenting the instruction set to a user in human-readable form;

where the colloquial meaning of the word is understood by a general population.

15. A system for automated testing using an automation testing tool that emulates user interactions for testing the functionality of a computer system, comprising:

logic for receiving a word having a colloquial meaning;

logic for querying a database for the word, the database containing a plurality of words, each word having associated with It a set of one or more computer instructions which, when executed by the automation testing tool, causes the computer to perform a function that is related to the colloquial meaning of the word;

logic for retrieving the instruction set corresponding to the word from the database;

logic for performing the function through use of the automated testing tool that Is related to the colloquial meaning of the word; and

logic for presenting the instruction set to a user in human-readable form;

where the colloquial meaning of the word is understood by a general population.