This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Patent Application Number
14/965,838 dated 10/12/2015 and titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING
A TEST APPLICATION,” which is incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[002] The present disclosure in general relates to a web development. More particularly,
the present disclosure provides the generation of a test application.
BACKGROUND
[003] Application (App) creation and development has gained a lot of popularity due
technical advancement in electronic devices such as mobile phone, tablet and like. An
app may be customized and created by using web based services. A user’s request may be
received at a server. At the server, scripting languages may be used for creating the app
according to a user’s preference(s). Commands of the script languages may be executed
for an easy creation of the app.
[004] One such methodology uses PHP scripts because of plurality of functionalities
offered by the PHP script for providing web development. PHP scripts are widely used,
as PHP code can be combined with HTML code with various templates. However, PHP
when used for app creation, requires human intervention. The requirement of the human
intervention results in more time and may also lead to human errors. The human errors
may further end up in cost increment and may not be desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[005] This summary is provided to introduce aspects related to system(s) and method(s)
for creating a test application and the aspects are further described below in the detailed
description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed
subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the
claimed subject matter.
[006] The present disclosure relates to a method for creating a test application. The
method being performed by one or more processors. The method comprises receiving
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input data from a user over a development platform. The input data corresponds to a web
application designed by a user. The method further comprises fetching, through an
automated script, the input data the in a predefined format to be used for creating the test
application. The automated script checks at a predefined time interval, a reception of the
web application. The method further comprises creating automatically, executable files
from the input data in the predefined format by using a scripting language. The automatic
creation is according to the check performed by the automated script regarding the
reception of the web application. The method further comprises uploading the executable
files, wherein the upload enables an installation of the testing application through the
executable files.
[007] The present disclosure also relates to a system for creating a test application. The
system comprises a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory
storing a plurality of modules to be executed by the processor. The plurality of modules
are configured to receive input data from a user over a development platform. The input
data corresponds to a web application designed by a user. The plurality of modules are
further configured to fetch, through an automated script, the input data the in a predefined
format to be used for creating the test application, wherein the automated script checks at
a predefined time interval, a reception of the web application and create automatically,
executable files from the input data in the predefined format by using a scripting
language. The automatic creation is according to the check performed by the automated
script regarding the reception of the web application. The plurality of modules are
configured to upload the executable files, wherein the upload enables an installation of
the testing application through the executable files.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[008] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures.
In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which
the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings
to refer like features and components.
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[009] Figure 1 illustrates a network implementation of a system for creating a test
application in a computing environment, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present subject matter;
[0010] Figure 2 illustrates modules of a system for creating the test application, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0011] Figure 3 illustrates a flow chart of method for creating the test application in the
computing environment, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
and
[0012] Figure 4 provides a details of steps involved in the method for creating the test
application in the computing environment, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] While aspects of described system and method for creating a test application may
be implemented in any number of different computing systems, environments, and/or
configurations, the embodiments are described in the context of the following exemplary
system.
[0014] The present description relates to creation of an application in a computing
environment. The application includes a test application. Input data is received from a
user at a development platform. The input data corresponds to a web application designed
by a user. The user provides customization options through the input data. The user may
customize the design of the web application during development. An automated script is
utilized to fetch the input data from a server and modify the input data into a predefined
format. Executable files are created from the input data in a predefined format according
to the preferences of the user. The executable files are created by a scripting language.
The executable files are uploaded at the server and are run for generating testing
application. The user may download (install) the testing app from the server.
[0015] Referring now to Figure 1, a network implementation 100 of system 102 for
creating a testing application in a computing environment is shown. Although the present
subject matter is explained considering that the system 102 is implemented as an
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application on a server, it may be understood that the system 102 may also be
implemented in a variety of computing systems, such as a laptop computer, a desktop
computer, a notebook, a workstation, a server, a network server, and the like. In one
implementation, the system 102 may be implemented in a cloud-based environment. It
will be understood that the system 102 may be accessed by multiple users through one or
more user devices 104-1, 104-2…104-N, the user devices 104 collectively referred to as
user device 104, or applications residing on the user devices 104. Examples of the user
devices 104 may include, but are not limited to, a portable computer, a personal digital
assistant, a handheld device, and a workstation. The user devices 104 are
communicatively coupled to the system 102 through a network 106.
[0016] In one implementation, the network 106 may be a wireless network, a wired
network or a combination thereof. The network 106 can be implemented as one of the
different types of networks, such as intranet, local area network (LAN), wide area
network (WAN), the internet, and the like. The network 106 may either be a dedicated
network or a shared network. The shared network represents an association of the
different types of networks that use a variety of protocols, for example, Hypertext
Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP),
Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), and the like, to communicate with one another.
Further the network 106 may include a variety of network devices, including routers,
bridges, servers, computing devices, storage devices, and the like.
[0017] Referring now to Figure 2, the system 102 is illustrated in accordance with an
embodiment of the present subject matter. In one embodiment, the system 102 may
include at least one processor 202, an input/output (I/O) interface 204 (herein a
configurable user interface), a memory 206. The at least one processor 202 may be
implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital
signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any
devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other
capabilities, the at least one processor 202 is configured to fetch and execute computerreadable
instructions stored in the memory 206.
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[0018] The I/O interface 204 may include a variety of software and hardware interfaces,
for example, a web interface, a graphical user interface, and the like. The I/O interface
204 may allow the system 102 to interact with a user directly or through the client
devices 104. Further, the I/O interface 204 may enable the system 102 to communicate
with other computing devices, such as web servers and external data servers (not shown).
The I/O interface 204 can facilitate multiple communications within a wide variety of
networks and protocol types, including wired networks, for example, LAN, cable, etc.,
and wireless networks, such as WLAN, cellular, or satellite. The I/O interface 204 may
include one or more ports for connecting a number of devices to one another or to another
server.
[0019] The memory 206 may include any computer-readable medium known in the art
including, for example, volatile memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM)
and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read
only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM, flash memories, hard disks, optical
disks, and magnetic tapes. The memory 206 may include modules 208 and data 222.
[0020] The modules 208 include routines, programs, objects, components, data
structures, etc., which perform particular tasks, functions or implement particular abstract
data types. In one implementation, the modules 208 may include a reception module 210,
a data fetching module 212, a creation module 214, and an upload module 216. Other
modules 218 may include programs or coded instructions that supplement applications
and functions of the system 102.
[0021] The data 220, amongst other things, serves as a repository for storing data
processed, received, and generated by one or more of the modules. The data 220 may also
include a database 222, and other data 224. The other data 224 may include data
generated as a result of the execution of one or more modules.
[0022] The system 102 comprises a development platform provided to a user for
designing the web application. The web application is designed based on pre-stored data
at the web platform. The development platform comprises a web platform hosted over a
server of the system 102. The server comprises a MAC server. The web platform allows
the user to customize the design of the application through one or more web services.
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[0023] The reception module 110 is configured to receive input data from a user. The
input data corresponds to the web application designed by the user. The input data
comprises at least one of a name of an App, splash and background screen, one or more
icons, and content of the app. The input data provides a format of the web application
designed by the user through the development platform.
[0024] The web platform provides web services to the user for deigning the web
application. The web platform is hosted at the server of the system 102. The server
comprises a MAC server and stores the web application designed by the user.
[0025] The data fetch 112 module then fetches the input data from the server. The data is
fetched through an automated script. The automated script comprises a PHP script. The
PHP script modifies the input data into a predefined format. The PHP script comprises an
Application Programming Interface (API), programs and commands. The programs and
commands fetches the data into the predefined format. The predefined format comprises
an XML format. The PHP script checks at a predefined interval of time if there is any
web application at the server. The web application designed by the user is associated with
a request of creating a test application from the web application. The check by the PHP
script improves the process of app creation by reducing time. The moment user designs
the application, the PHP script starts working on the input data, thereby removing a need
of any trigger from the user for creating the test app.
[0026] After the input data is fetched, the PHP script calls the scripting language (shell
script) according to the checking of the web application. The shell script is called
automatically by the modification module 112 once the automatic script checks the web
application at the server designed by the user. The automatic calling of the shell script
avoids a human intervention. The shell script is dependent upon a platform for which the
app is to be created.
[0027] In accordance with an embodiment, the creation module 114 through the shell
script perform one or more actions for creating executable files for one or more mobile
platforms. The one or more mobile platforms may be chosen by the user under the one or
more preferences of the user in the input data. The executable files comprises at least one
of an .apk file, .ipa file, .xap file, and .bar executable files.
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[0028] The shell script comprises one or more commands to read the input data in the
XML format. The shell script copy resources and native project libraries from the input
data in the XML format. The one or more commands of the shell script edit the XML
files of the input data according to the one or more preferences of the user. The shell
script converts the images into a required size as per the user’s preference. The shell
script reads the XML format files of the input data and converts the downloaded images
from the input data into project required size to obtain project resources. The project
resources are then modified to create executable files.
[0029] The upload module 216 is configured to upload the executable files at the server.
The upload of the executable files allows the user to run the executable files for installing
the testing application. After the executable files are uploaded, the upload module
informs the server about a status of the creation of the test application. The status
comprises one of a successful creation of the test app or an unsuccessful creation of the
test app.
[0030] The steps performed by each of the module after the input data is received from
the user is automatic. No human intervention is required in creating the testing app. The
automation supported by the system in creating the app (testing app) reduces a possibility
of human error and also reduces time. In an example, the time required by the system 102
for creating the app is in arrange of 2minutes to 5 minutes as compared to a range of 30
minutes to 35 minutes of the prior art processes. The time is reduced due to automatic
calling of the shell script and checking of the web application at the server by the PHP
script.
[0031] Referring now to FIG 3, a method 300 for creating a testing application (app) in a
computing environment is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
subject matter. The method 300 may be described in the general context of computer
executable instructions. Generally, computer executable instructions can include routines,
programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, modules, functions, etc., that
perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types. The method 300
may also be practiced in a distributed computing environment where functions are
performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications
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network. In a distributed computing environment, computer executable instructions may
be located in both local and remote computer storage media, including memory storage
devices.
[0032] The order in which the method 300 is described is not intended to be construed as
a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any
order to implement the method 300 or alternate methods. Additionally, individual blocks
may be deleted from the method 300 without departing from the spirit and scope of the
subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any
suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof. However, for ease of
explanation, in the embodiments described below, the method 400 may be considered to
be implemented in the above described system 102.
[0033] At block 302, input data is received from a user over a development platform. The
input corresponds to the web application designed by the user. In an example
embodiment, the input data is received by the reception module 210.
[0034] At block 304, the input data is fetched in a predefined format through an
automated script for creating the test application. The automated script checks at a
predefined time interval, the web applications received at the server. In an example
embodiment, the data is fetched through the data fetch module 212.
[0035] At block 306, the executable files are created automatically by using the input
data in the predefined format by calling the scripting language. The automatic creation is
according to the check performed by the automated script regarding the reception of the
web application at the server. In an example embodiment, the executable files are created
through the creation module 214.
[0036] At block 308, the executable files are uploaded at the server for enabling an
installation of the test application by the user. In an example embodiment, the executable
files are uploaded by the upload module 216.
[0037] Referring to Figure 4, an example embodiment for creating the test applications is
shown. At step 402, the system 102 receives the input data received from the user
designing the web application at the development platform. The development platform
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comprises a web platform. The web platform receives a request from the user for creating
the app. The user may customize the design of the web application through the input
parameters.
[0038] The PHP converts the user input to a web language i.e. the xml format and send
the xml id to the mac server in step 404. The input parameters are stored with the server
of the system 102 at step 406. The server comprises a MAC server. The MAC server
receives the request of the user. The automated script gets the input data in the XML
format and automatically calls the shell script at step 408. The automated script
comprises the PHP code.
[0039] The PHP code scripts checks for request for the new app at a regular time interval.
The regular time interval comprises every 2 minutes. The PHP code checks request for
generation of new apps every 2 minutes.
[0040] The XML data is parsed by the PHP code and input data like images and icons are
downloaded from the MAC server.
[0041] The shell script called by the PHP code copy the resources, reads the xml data and
converts the downloaded images into the project required sizes. The shell script make the
required changes in project resources of the input data for making the app user specific
and with the user preferences and runs the commands and creates the executable files.
[0042] At step 410, the shell script comprises one or more commands and by executing
the one or more commands, the shell script performs one or more actions according to the
input data to create the executable files. An already available apk is used by the shell
script for creating a new apk. The new apk is created by a reverse engineering method.
The already available apk is un-compressed by the reverse engineering method by using
an apk tool and an un-compressed folder is obtained. The converted resources and one or
more necessary files are replaced in the un-compressed folder. The un-compressed
folder is again compressed by using the apk tool in the apk format. The new apk so
generated is signed with a keystore to make the new apk a valid apk.
[0043] The final apk i.e. the executable files are uploaded n the server for installation of
the testing application.
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[0044] The executable files are run for generating the test applications. The test
applications are uploaded on the MAC server. The user may download or install the
testing application from the server at step 412.
[0045] At step 412, the shell script calls the PHP to notify about a status of creation of
the app. The status of the creation of app comprises one a successful creation of the app
or an unsuccessful creation of the app. The PHP script updates the server regarding the
status of creation of the app.
[0046] The written description describes the subject matter herein to enable any person
skilled in the art to make and use the embodiments of the invention. The scope of the
subject matter embodiments are defined by the claims and may include other
modifications that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other modifications are intended
to be within the scope of the claims if they have similar elements that do not differ from
the literal language of the claims or if they include equivalent elements with insubstantial
differences from the literal language of the claims.

We claim:
1. A method for creating a test application, the method being performed by one or more
processors, the method comprising:
receiving input data from a user over a development platform, wherein the input
data corresponds to a web application designed by a user;
fetching, through an automated script, the input data the in a predefined format to
be used for creating the test application, wherein the automated script checks at a
predefined time interval, a reception of the web application;
creating automatically, executable files from the input data in the predefined
format by using a scripting language, wherein the automatic creation is according to the
check performed by the automated script regarding the reception of the web application;
and
uploading the executable files, wherein the upload enables an installation of the
testing application through the executable files.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the input data comprises at least one of a
name of the web application, splash/background screen, icons and content in the web
application designed by the user over the development platform.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the automated script comprise a PHP script,
wherein the PHP script calls a shell level script, wherein the shell level script comprises
shell scripting.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the PHP script comprises an Application
Programming Interface (API), programs and commands.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fetching comprises:
modifying the input data into an XML format; and
parsing the XML data for downloading at least one of an images and the icons in
from the input data.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the creating automatically comprises:
automatically calling for the scripting language by the automated script;
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reading an XML format files of the input data and converting downloaded images
from the input data into project required size to obtain project resources; and
modifying the project resources to create the executable files.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the executable files comprises at least one of
an .apk file, .ipa file, .xap file, and .bar executable files.
8. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
updating the server regarding a status of the creation of the test application, wherein the
status comprises one of a successful creation of the test application or an unsuccessful
creation of the test application.
9. A system for creating a test application, the system comprising:
a processor; and
a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory storing a plurality of modules to
be executed by the processor, and wherein the modules are configured to:
receive input data from a user over a development platform, wherein the input
data corresponds to a web application designed by a user;
fetch, through an automated script, the input data the in a predefined format to be
used for creating the test application, wherein the automated script checks at a predefined
time interval, a reception of the web application;
create automatically, executable files from the input data in the predefined format
by using a scripting language, wherein the automatic creation is according to the check
performed by the automated script regarding the reception of the web application; and
upload the executable files, wherein the upload enables an installation of the
testing application through the executable files.
10. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the input data comprises at least one of a name
of the web application, splash/background screen, icons and content in the web application
designed by the user over the development platform.
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11. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the automated script comprise a PHP script,
wherein the PHP script calls a shell level script, wherein the shell level script comprises shell
scripting.
12. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the plurality of modules are configured to:
modify the input data into an XML format; and
parse the XML data for downloading at least one of an images and the icons in
from the input data.
13. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the creating automatically comprises:
automatically call for the scripting language by the automated script;
read an XML format files of the input data and converting downloaded images
from the input data into project required size to obtain project resources; and
modify the project resources to create the executable files.
14. The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the executable files comprises at least one of
an .apk file, .ipa file, .xap file, and .bar executable files.
15. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the plurality of modules are configured to:
update the server regarding a status of the creation of the test application, wherein the
status comprises one of a successful creation of the test application or an unsuccessful
creation of the test application.