Dell products l.p. (20240241815). METHOD FOR EFFICIENTLY IMPROVING TEST CASE COVERAGE AND ROBUSTNESS simplified abstract

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METHOD FOR EFFICIENTLY IMPROVING TEST CASE COVERAGE AND ROBUSTNESS

Organization Name

dell products l.p.

Inventor(s)

Xiaowei Shen of Shanghai (CN)

Qin Zhang of Shanghai (CN)

Celine Ling Xu of Shanghai (CN)

Jin Qin of Shanghai (CN)

METHOD FOR EFFICIENTLY IMPROVING TEST CASE COVERAGE AND ROBUSTNESS - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240241815 titled 'METHOD FOR EFFICIENTLY IMPROVING TEST CASE COVERAGE AND ROBUSTNESS

The patent application describes methods for selecting test cases to identify differences between two versions of firmware, with the first version being the current version and the second version being an update with bug fixes and additional features.

  • Identify functions most likely impacted by the update based on the differences between the two versions.
  • Modify the binary code of the second firmware version to make the impacted functions return a predetermined error value when called.
  • Execute a plurality of test cases once with the modified firmware.
  • Identify test cases that fail with the error value as selected test cases for regression testing of the second version.

Potential Applications: - Quality assurance in software development - Firmware testing and validation processes

Problems Solved: - Efficient identification of impacted functions in firmware updates - Streamlining regression testing processes

Benefits: - Improved software quality and reliability - Faster identification of potential issues in firmware updates

Commercial Applications: Title: "Advanced Firmware Testing Solutions for Enhanced Software Quality" This technology can be utilized by software development companies to streamline their firmware testing processes, leading to faster release cycles and improved product quality. It can also be integrated into automated testing systems for increased efficiency.

Questions about Firmware Testing: 1. How does this method improve the efficiency of regression testing in firmware updates?

  This method streamlines the process by identifying and focusing on functions most likely impacted by the update, reducing the time and resources needed for comprehensive testing.

2. What are the potential challenges in implementing this method in a large-scale software development environment?

  Implementing this method may require coordination between development and testing teams, as well as ensuring compatibility with existing testing frameworks and tools.


Original Abstract Submitted

disclosed methods for selecting test cases determine differences between first and second versions of firmware. the first version may correspond to a version currently in use while the second version represent an update to the first version, including one or more bug fixes and/or additional features. based at least in part on the differences between the two versions, one or more functions most likely to be impacted by the update are identified. disclosed methods and system may then modify binary code for the second firmware version to cause the one or more impacted functions, when called, to return unconditionally a predetermined error value. with the firmware thus modified, a plurality of test cases are executed one time. any test cases failing with the appropriate error value are identified as selected test cases and included within a group of target test cases for performing regression testing of the second version.