Test services provider

• US 7,010,454 B1
• Filed: 03/31/2004
• Issued: 03/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Gerber, Peter, Robinson, Michael Paul, Potter, Orville Jay IV
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoff, Marc S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Barbee, Manuel L
• Application Number:
  US10/815,121
• Time in Patent Office: 706 Days
• Field of Search: 702/108, 702/117, 702/119, 702/120, 702/122, 702/123, 702/182, 702/183, 702/185, 702/186, 717/124, 717/126, 714/27, 714/38, 714/46
• US Class Current: 702/122
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/2834 Automated test systems [ATE]; using microprocessors or computers G01R31/317 takes precedence; ATE for detection of defective computer hardware G06F11/2736
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/31718 Logistic aspects, e.g. binning, selection, sorting of devices under test, tester/handler interaction networks, Test management software, e.g. software for test statistics or test evaluation, yield analysis mechanical aspects G01R31/2808, G01R31/2851

Abstract

A test services provider is an object that is arranged to provide a standardized interface for calling test harness provided functionality. The test services provider is not tied to a specific test harness, and provides a standard interface such that both test harness functionality and test cases can be written without beforehand knowledge of the other. In operation, the test harness registers the test services that provides with the test service provider, and the test cases retrieve the registered test services from the test harness as needed. Accordingly, the test case does not have to query the test harness itself for the object that provides the desired test harness functionality, but rather uses a standardized interface provided by the test services provider to retrieve the desired test services.

Claims

1. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable components, comprising:

a test case scenario object that comprises test methods that are arranged to test an electronic system;

a test harness that is arranged to provide system test services; and

a test services provider that is arranged to register the system test services and to invoke a particular registered test service from the test harness in response to a request from a test case scenario object test method requesting the particular registered test service, wherein the test services provider is further arranged to store references to test service objects that implement the system test services, wherein the references are stored in response to requests by the test harness.

2. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein one of the test service objects is retrieved in response to a request by the test case scenario object.

3. A method for automated testing, comprising:

providing test methods that are arranged to test an electronic system;

providing test services that are associated with a test harness;

registering the test services with a test services provider;

executing one of the test methods; and

invoking a registered test service in response to a request from the executing test method, wherein the references are stored in response to requests by the test harness.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein one of the test service objects is retrieved in response to a request by the test case scenario object.

5. A system having computer-executable components, comprising:

a test case scenario object that comprises test methods that are arranged to test an electronic system;

a test harness that is arranged to provide system test services; and

a test services provider that is arranged to register the system test services and to invoke a particular registered test service from the test harness in response to a request from a test case scenario object test method requesting the particular registered test service, wherein the test services provider is further arranged to store references to test service objects that implement the system test services, wherein the references are stored in response to requests by the test harness.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein one of the test service objects is retrieved in response to a request by the test case scenario object.

7. A test automation system, comprising:

means for providing test methods that are arranged to test an electronic system;

means for providing test services that are associated with a test harness;

means for registering the test services with a test services provider;

means for executing one of the test methods; and

means for invoking a registered test service in response to a request from the executing test method, further comprising means for storing references to test service objects that implement the system test services, wherein the references are stored in response to requests by the test harness.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein one of the test service objects is retrieved in response to a request by the test case scenario object.