Method and apparatus for generating automated test case scripts from natural language test cases

• US 9,047,414 B1
• Filed: 03/15/2011
• Issued: 06/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CA, Inc. (d/b/a CA Technologies) (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Symantec Corporation (NortonLifeLock Inc.)
• Inventors: Matyjek, Michal
• Primary Examiner(s): TECKLU, ISAAC TUKU
• Application Number:
  US13/048,784
• Time in Patent Office: 1,540 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3684 for test design, e.g. generating new test cases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3688 for test execution, e.g. scheduling of test suites
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3692 for test results analysis

Abstract

A method and apparatus for generating automated test case scripts from natural language test cases is described. The method may include receiving a natural language test case for testing a software application. The method may also include parsing the received natural language test case to locate terms relevant to testing a software application within the natural language test case, selecting one or more of the terms, and causing a search of a testing framework system for automated testing script commands based on the selected terms. The method may also include generating an automated test case script that corresponds to the natural language test case based on results of the search.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving, with a computing system from a user, a natural language test case for testing a software application, wherein the natural language test case is a test case written in a natural language, the test case comprising at least one of a condition, a variable, or a command that is executed by the software application to determine whether the software application is working according to program specifications, the natural language test case comprising a natural language command, wherein the natural language command is written as a user speaks and is distinct from a computer programming command;

parsing the natural language command of the received natural language test case to locate one or more search terms used to search for a corresponding term associated with an automated testing script command;

causing a search of a testing framework system to be performed for the automated testing script command, wherein the one or more search terms are used to search at least one of an index or a document to locate the corresponding term associated with the automated testing script command, wherein the corresponding term is distinct from the automated testing script command and used to locate the automated testing script command; and

generating an automated test case script that corresponds to the natural language test case based on a result of the search, wherein the automated test case script comprises the automated test script command.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an automated test script template; and

generating the automated test script by writing the automated testing script command to the automated test script template.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the test script template is an empty script program and the method further comprises:

populating the empty script program with the automated testing script command to create an automated testing program executable by the testing framework system.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting the one or more search terms to the testing framework system; and

receiving the automated testing script command from the testing framework system, the automated testing script command being located by the testing framework system in a search based on the one or more search terms.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein the automated testing script command enables the testing framework system to control the software application.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the natural language command comprises at least one of the condition, the variable, or the command utilized to test the software application.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing the generated automated test case script in a memory of the computing system.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing the automated test case script to the testing framework system to test the software application.

9. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions that, when executed by a processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations comprising:

receiving from a user a natural language test case for testing a software application, wherein the natural language test case is a test case written in a natural language, the test case comprising at least one of a condition, a variable, or a command that is executed by the software application to determine whether the software application is working according to program specifications, the natural language test case comprising a natural language command, wherein the natural language command is written as a user speaks and is distinct form a computer programming command;

parsing the natural language command of the received natural language test case to locate one or more search terms used to search for a corresponding term associated with an automated testing script command;

causing a search of a testing framework system to be performed for the automated testing script command, wherein the one or more search terms are used to search at least one of an index or a document to locate the corresponding term associated with the automated testing script command, wherein the corresponding term is distinct from the automated testing script command and used to locate the automated testing script command; and

generating an automated test case script that corresponds to the natural language test case based on a result of the search, wherein the automated test case script comprises the automated test script command.

10. The computer readable storage medium of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving an automated test script template; and

generating the automated test script by writing the automated testing script command to the automated test script template.

11. The computer readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the test script template is an empty script program and further comprising:

populating the empty script program with the automated testing script command to create an automated testing program executable by the testing framework system.

12. The computer readable storage medium of claim 9, further comprising:

transmitting the one or more search terms to the testing framework system; and

receiving the automated testing script command from the testing framework system, the automated testing script command being located by the testing framework system in a search based on the one or more search terms.

13. The computer readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein the automated testing script command enables the testing framework system to control the software application.

14. The computer readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the natural language command specifies at least one of the condition, the variable, or the command utilized to test the software application.

15. The computer readable storage medium of claim 9, further comprising

storing the generated automated test case script in a memory coupled to the processing device.

16. The computer readable storage medium of claim 9, further comprising:

providing the automated test case script to the testing framework system to test the software application.

17. A system, comprising:

a memory; and

a processing device coupled with the memory to;

receive from a user a natural language test case for testing a software application, wherein the natural language test case is a test case written in a natural language, the test case comprising at least one of a condition, a variable, or a command that is executed by the software application to determine whether the software application is working according to program specifications, the natural language test case comprising a natural language command, wherein the natural language command is written as a user speaks and is distinct from a computer programming command;

parse the received natural language test case to locate one or more search terms used to search for a corresponding term associated with an automated testing script command;

cause a search of a testing framework system to be performed for the automated testing script command, wherein the one or more search terms are used to search at least one of an index or a document to locate the corresponding term associated with the automated testing script command, wherein the corresponding term is distinct from the automated testing script command and used to locate the automated testing script command; and

generate an automated test case script that corresponds to the natural language test case based on a result of the search, wherein the automated test case script comprises the automated test script command.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the processing device is further to:

receive an automated test script template; and

generate the automated test script by writing the automated testing script command to the automated test script template.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the test script template is an empty script program and the processing device is further to populate the empty script program with the automated testing script command to create an automated testing program executable by the testing framework system.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the processing device is further to:

transmit the one or more search terms to the testing framework system; and

receive the automated testing script command from the testing framework system, the automated testing script command being located by the testing framework system in a search based on the one or more search terms.