Importance

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Abstract

A computer operable method for integrating and automating test procedures within a computer application program. Instantiated test operation objects of an object class defined by the present invention correspond to functions to be tested within the computer application program. The test operation objects are instantiated by calls to functions in a test operation runtime library (DLL). The test operation objects include interface method functions which execute the intended test operation and simulate any required data, file, or memory I/O. Other aspects of the methods of the present invention provide rules which permit decisions as to the applicability of each test operation given the state of the application program or the context of the test operation sequence. The various test operation objects are selected to perform a sequence of test steps. In one mode of operation, the methods of the present invention randomly select among all the instantiated test operation objects. In another mode of operation, the methods of the present invention 'playback' a previously recorded sequence of test operation objects to permit reproduction of failures in previous test sequences. In a third mode of operation, the methods of the present invention permit a user to modify or create 'playback' files to customize a test case for a particular focus.

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First Claim