Generation of test data for web service-based test automation and semi-automated test data categorization

摘要

Test data for a software services (e.g., a Web service) can be automatically generated from a user-provided specification. The user-provided specification may identify mandatory data elements along with data elements to be tested. Test categories may be defined to specify the type of test to be performed. A value provider may serve as a source of data values for the generated test data.

主权项

1. A method for generating test data for software services comprising operating a computer to perform steps of:
accessing a first data store comprising data that identify a plurality of data elements of a software service separate from the first data store; for each data element identified in the first data store, generating a test document comprising:
accessing a second data store, separate from the first data store, comprising metadata information that characterize data elements of the software service, including metadata information associated with said each data element;accessing a third data store comprising a plurality of data values;obtaining a data value for said each data element from the third data store, wherein the data value is selected based on the metadata information associated with said each data element;obtaining default values from the first data store for additional data elements among the plurality of data elements; andforming a request message to be sent to an interface of the software services comprising an identifier of said each data element and its associated data value and identifiers of the additional data elements and their respective associated default values.