Software modules for testing computer hardware and software

• US 5,218,605 A
• Filed: 01/31/1990
• Issued: 06/08/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Low, Danny, Tuttle, Myron R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Jerry
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lebowitz, Henry C.
• Application Number:
  US07/472,694
• Time in Patent Office: 1,224 Days
• Field of Search: 371/25.1, 371/19, 371/16.1, 371/22.4, 382/18, 382/57
• US Class Current: 714/45
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2273 Test methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2294 by remote test
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2736 using a dedicated service processor for test
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3688 for test execution, e.g. scheduling of test suites
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2201/83 the solution involving signatures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2201/865 Monitoring of software

Abstract

A computer software-related device and method uses regression testing techniques for testing computer hardware and/or software application(s). Input data and commands from a user are stored, and are sent to a hardware/software system under test. Signatures (representative of visual display data) which are received (with a selected prevalence) as a result of the sent input data and commands are also stored. On command of a user, the stored signatures, input data and commands are subsequently sent to the hardware/software system under test, and new signatures are generated. These new signatures are compared with the stored signatures, and the results of this comparison are used as an indication that the hardware/software system under test is performing as expected.

Claims

1. A computer hardware and software testing method, comprising the steps of:

(1) receiving composite data from at least one input device;

(2) storing said composite data to thereby form stored composite data;

(3) sending said composite data to a remote device having at least one visual display device;

(4) receiving at least one signature from said remote device in response to said composite data;

(5) storing said at least one signature wherein said at least one signature has a selected prevalence to thereby form at least one store signature;

(6) sending said at least one stored signature and said stored composite data to said remote device, thereby creating at least one new signature; and

(7) receiving a signal from said remote device indicating identity or non-identity between said at least one stored signature and said at least one new signature.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (1) comprises the step of receiving composite data comprising input data, commands, and/or comments.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of said at least one signature having a selected prevalence being selected using a histogram.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step after said step (1) of translating said composite data into a symbolic format,

wherein said symbolic format provides for a consistent representation of composite data regardless of which of said at least one input device is used.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (4) comprises the step of receiving said at least one signature from said remote device which is representative of only a selected portion of visual display data of said at least one visual display device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (1) comprises the step of receiving a special sequence of said composite data, and translating said special sequence into a selected composite data representation recognizable by said remote device.

7. A computer hardware and software testing method, comprising the steps of:

(1) sending stored composite data and at least one stored signature, said at least one stored signature having been stored due to being received with a selected prevalence from a remote device, to said remote device having at least one visual display device, said stored composite data causing said remote device to generate at least one new signature; and

(2) receiving a signal from said remote device indicating whether said at least one store signature and said at least one new signature are identical, or not identical.