Robust software library wrapper method and apparatus

• US 7,225,428 B1
• Filed: 05/20/2003
• Issued: 05/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Xiao, Zhen, Fetzer, Christof
• Primary Examiner(s): Zhen; Wei
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHOW, CHIH CHING
• Application Number:
  US10/441,533
• Time in Patent Office: 1,470 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 717/124
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2209/542 Intercept
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44589 Program code verification, e.g. Java bytecode verification, proof-carrying code high-level semantic checks G06F8/43; testing and debugging software G06F11/36
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4484 Executing subprograms

Abstract

A method includes a step of executing a software function using a set of test arguments and obtaining a result corresponding to each of the set of test arguments, each result indicating one of a set of robust and non-robust results, a subset of test arguments corresponding to robust results. The method further includes defining a set of arguments based on the results and the set of test arguments, the set of arguments including the subset of test arguments. Thereafter, arguments of subsequent calls to the software function may thereafter be examined to determine whether they fall within the set of arguments.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method to produce a final set of arguments, comprising:

a) executing a software function using a set of test arguments and obtaining a result corresponding to each of the set of test arguments, each result indicating one of a set of non-robust and robust results, a subset of test arguments corresponding to robust results, wherein step a) further comprises;

a1) forming an nth test argument comprising an array type having an allocated size m;

a2) executing the software function using the nth test argument and determining an nth result;

a3) incrementing n and m and repeating steps a1) and a2) if the nth result is a non-robust result; and

a4) setting a minimum robust size M=m if the nth result is a robust result; and

b) producing said set of final arguments based on the results and the set of test arguments, the set of final arguments including the subset of said test arguments.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein producing the set of final arguments includes producing the set of final arguments such that the set of final arguments includes the array type having an allocated size greater than or equal to M.

3. A computer program product stored on a computer-readable medium which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of a method to produce a final set of arguments, comprising:

executing a software function using a set of test arguments and obtaining a result corresponding to each of the set of test arguments, each result indicating one of a set of robust and non-robust results, a subset of test arguments corresponding to robust results, wherein the executing the software function using the set of test arguments further comprises;

forming an nth test argument comprising an array type having an allocated size m;

causing execution of the software function using the nth test argument and determining an nth result;

if the nth result is an error result, incrementing n and m and repeating forming the nth test argument comprising the array type having the allocated size m and causing execution of the software function using the nth test argument and determining the nth result; and

setting a minimum size value M=m if the nth result is a robust result; and

producing a set of arguments based on the results and the set of test arguments, the set of arguments including the subset of test arguments.

4. The computer program product of claim 3 further comprising producing the set of final arguments such that the set of final arguments includes the array type having an allocated size greater than or equal to M.