System and computer-implemented method for creating configuration files for web transaction tests

• US 7,047,277 B1
• Filed: 07/13/2001
• Issued: 05/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Micro Focus LLC (Open Text Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mercury Interactive Corp. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Meier, John R., Gardner, Dennis, Welter, Peter J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrell, Robert B.
• Application Number:
  US09/905,647
• Time in Patent Office: 1,768 Days
• Field of Search: 709/201, 709/202, 709/203, 709/220, 709/222, 709/223, 709/224, 714/1, 714/2, 714/3, 714/4, 714/5, 714/25, 714/30, 714/36, 714/47, 714/100, 717/100, 717/124, 717/126, 717/131
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/06 Management of faults, events, alarms or notifications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/145 involving simulating, designing, planning or modelling of a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/50 Testing arrangements

Abstract

A method and system for creating a web transaction test includes sending formatted information such as HTML comprising a parsed testing form to a web browser, receiving formatted messages such as HTTP format from the web browser as a submission from the HTML testing form, and developing a test configuration file from the received HTTP information. At least one section of the parsed testing form is to be filled out from a list of predetermined selections. Preferably, the parsing of the testing from as well as the list of predetermined selections are at least in part based on information contained on the web browser.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for creating a web transaction test, the method comprising:

sending formatted information to a web browser, wherein said formatted information is used for entry of information pertaining to a web site that is to be tested by said web transaction test;

receiving a formatted message comprising said information pertaining to said web site; and

developing a test configuration file for testing said web site from said formatted message, said test configuration file comprises an automatic scheduling for testing said web site that is to be tested by said web transaction test, said automatic scheduling comprises scheduling window information and test repetition information.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said formatted information comprises a testing form for parsing.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein said testing form contains at least one section that is required to be filled out from a list of available alternatives.

4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein said testing form contains at least one secondary section that is required to be filled out from a secondary list of available alternatives.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein said secondary list of available alternatives is influenced by which of said list of available alternatives is selected.

6. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein said list of available alternatives is influenced by information contained on said web site that is to be tested by said web transaction test.

7. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein said list of available alternatives is influenced by information contained on a web server that is associated with said web site that is to be tested by said web transaction test.

8. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein said formatted message is a submission from said testing form.

9. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein said testing form is based on a layout of said web site that is to be tested by said web transaction test.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising parsing said formatted information.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the parsing is performed automatically.

12. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the parsing is performed manually.

13. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the-developing said test configuration file is performed automatically.

14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein said test configuration file provides data to post in a field parameter of said web site that is to be tested by said web transaction test.

15. The method as recited in claim 13 wherein said test configuration file includes comparison data used for comparing HTML data received from said web site that is to be tested by said web transaction test with a predetermined criteria.

16. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said formatted information and said formatted message are in HTML format.

17. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said formatted message is in HTTP format.

18. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said formatted information and said formatted message are directly communicated over a TCP/IP protocol network.

19. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said test configuration file provides a plurality of tests selected from a group comprising a test for URLs, a test for links, a test for form buttons, and a test for frames.

20. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said test configuration file provides data to post in a field parameter of said web site that is to be tested by said web transaction test.

21. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said test configuration file includes comparison data used for comparing HTML data received from said web site that is to be tested by said web transaction test with a predetermined criteria.

22. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

creating a second formatted information based on said test configuration file;

sending said second formatted information to said web browser;

in response to said sending said second formatted information, receiving a second formatted message; and

updating said test configuration file based on said second formatted message.

23. A system for creating a web transaction test, the system comprising:

a web server hosting a web site; and

a computer coupled to said web server and having memory and a processor, said computer operable to;

send formatted information that is used for entry of web site information to a web browser;

receive a formatted message comprising said web site information in response to sending said formatted information; and

develop a test configuration file from said formatted message, wherein said test configuration file is for performing said web transaction test for testing said web site, said test configuration file comprises an automatic scheduling for testing said web site, said automatic scheduling includes scheduling window information and test repetition information.

24. The system as recited in claim 23, wherein said formatted information comprises a testing form for parsing.

25. The system as recited in claim 24, wherein said testing form contains at least one section that is required to be filled out from a list of available alternatives.

26. The system as recited in claim 25, wherein said testing form contains at least one secondary section that is required to be filled out from a secondary list of available alternatives.

27. The system as recited in claim 26, wherein said secondary list of available alternatives is influenced by which of said list of available alternatives is selected.

28. The system as recited in claim 25, wherein said list of available alternatives is influenced by information contained on said web site that is to be tested by said web transaction test.

29. The system as recited in claim 25, wherein said list of available alternatives is influenced by information contained on said web server hosting-said web site that is to be tested by said web transaction test.

30. The system as recited in claim 24, wherein said formatted message is a submission from said testing form.

31. The system as recited in claim 24, wherein said testing form is based on a layout of said web site that is to be tested by said web transaction test.

32. The system as recited in claim 23, wherein said formatted information and said formatted message are in HTML format.

33. The system as recited in claim 32, wherein said test configuration file provides data to post in a field parameter of said web site that is to be tested by said web transaction test.

34. The system as recited in claim 23, wherein said formatted information and said formatted message are communicated over a TCP/IP protocol network.

35. The system as recited in claim 34, wherein said test configuration file includes comparison data used for comparing HTML data received from said web site that is to be tested by said web transaction test with a predetermined criteria.

36. The system as recited in claim 23, wherein said computer system is further operable to parse said formatted information.

37. The system as recited in claim 23, wherein said formatted message is in HTTP format.

38. The system as recited in claim 23, wherein said test configuration file provides a plurality of tests selected from a group comprising a test for URLs, a test for links, a test for form buttons, and a test for frames.

39. The system as recited in claim 23, wherein said test configuration file provides data to post in a field parameter of said web site that is to be tested by said web transaction test.

40. The system as recited in claim 23, wherein said test configuration file includes comparison data used for comparing HTML data received from said web site that is to be tested by said web transaction test with a predetermined criteria.

41. The system as recited in claim 23, wherein said computer is further operable to:

create a second formatted information based on said configuration file;

send said second formatted information to said web browser;

receive a second formatted message in response to sending said second formatted information; and

update said test configuration file based on said second formatted message.

42. A computer-implemented method for creating a web transaction test, the method comprising:

sending formatted information to a web browser, wherein said formatted information is based on a layout of a web site that is to be tested by said web transaction test;

receiving a formatted message that is based on said formatted information; and

automatically developing a test configuration file from said formatted message, said test configuration file for testing said web site, said test configuration file comprises an automatic scheduling for testing said web site that is to be tested by said web transaction test, said automatic scheduling comprises scheduling window information and test repetition information.

43. A computer-implemented method for creating a web transaction test, the method comprising:

sending formatted information to a web browser, wherein said formatted information comprises a testing form, and wherein said testing form comprises;

at least one primary section that is required to be filled out from a primary list of available alternatives; and

at least one secondary section that is required to be filled out from a secondary list of available alternatives;

wherein said primary list of available alternatives and said secondary list of available alternatives are influenced by information contained on a web site that is to be tested by said web transaction test;

in response to said sending said formatted information;

parsing the testing form;

receiving a formatted message as a submission from said testing form; and

automatically developing a test configuration file from said formatted message, wherein said test configuration file

comprises an automatic scheduling for testing the web site that is to be tested by said web transaction test, said automatic scheduling comprises scheduling window information and test repetition information.

44. A system for testing a web based medium, the system comprising:

a testing center that generates a test for said web based medium; and

a network coupling said web based medium to said testing center, wherein said test is transmitted from said testing center to said web based medium over said network;

wherein said test is parsed based on information contained on said web based medium;

wherein at least one section of said test is filled out from a predetermined list;

wherein said predetermined list is created at least in part based on information contained on said web based medium; and

wherein once said at least one section of said test is filled out, said filled out test is returned to said testing center and used to create a test configuration file, said test configuration file comprises an automatic scheduling for testing said web based medium, said automatic scheduling comprises scheduling window information and test repetition information.