Bi-directional probing of software

Abstract

Method and system are disclosed for bi-directional probing of software. The bidirectional probe is capable of transferring data to and from a software under test. This two-way transfer of data allows the variables and arguments in the software to not only be monitored, but also changed as needed. Test vectors may be developed and inserted into the software while running for testing purposes. Regression analysis may be made easier by using data from previous iterations as input for the next iterations.

1 . A method of testing software having a plurality of data variables and function arguments therein, comprising:
 executing the software;   identifying an address location for at least one of the variables or arguments used by the software;   outputting any data stored in the address location to a test system to thereby monitor the data; and   inputting data from the test system into the address location to thereby replace any data previously stored in the address location.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the data inputted into the address location is a revised version of the data outputted from the address location. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the data inputted into the address location is the same as the data outputted from the address location. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the data inputted into the address location is generated based on the data outputted from the address location during a previous iteration. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the data inputted into the address location comprises a test vector of data generated based on data outputted from the address location during a previous iteration. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the address location identifies a storage location in a computer memory. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the address location identifies a storage location in a hard drive. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for testing software having a plurality of data variables and function arguments therein, comprising:
 a central processing unit;   a storage unit connected to the central processing unit, the storage unit storing computer readable instructions for instructing the central processing unit to:   execute the software;   identify an address location for at least one of the variables or arguments used by the software;   output any data stored m the address location to the central processing unit to thereby monitor the data; and   input data from the central processing unit into the address location to thereby replace any data previously stored in the address location.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the data inputted into the address location is a revised version of the data outputted from the address location. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the data inputted into the address location is the same as the data outputted from the address location. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the data inputted into the address location is generated based on data outputted from the address location during a previous iteration. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the data inputted into the storage area comprises a test vector of data generated based on data outputted from the address location during a previous iteration. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the address location identifies a storage location in a computer memory. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the address location identifies a storage location in a hard drive. 
     
     
         15 . A system for testing software having a plurality of data variables and function arguments therein, comprising:
 a device under test configured to execute the software including one or more probe instructions in the software;   a tester connected to the device under test, the tester configured to control the device under test so that when a probe instruction is executed, the device under test will:
 identify an address location for at least one of the variables or arguments used by the software; 
 output any data stored in the address location to the tester; and 
 input data received from the tester into the address location. 
   
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the data inputted into the address location is a revised version of the data outputted from the address location. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the data inputted into the address location is the same as the data outputted from the address location. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the data inputted into the address location is generated based on data outputted from the address location during a previous iteration. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the data inputted into the storage area comprises a test vector of data generated based on data outputted from the address location during a previous iteration. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the address location identifies a storage location in a computer memory. 
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the address location identifies a storage location in a hard drive. 
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the tester and the device under test reside in a single unit.