A test framework for CORBA∗ component model-based software systems

In this paper we present a framework for testing software systems that is based on the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA∗) component model (CCM) standard. An important aspect of CCM-based systems is that they must be verifiable and testable at the abstract level of their design, regardless of the language chosen to implement the component. Component-based systems allow the development and testing of components to be divided among development groups working in parallel. However, dependencies between separately developed components may cause delays in testing. The test framework we present allows for the automatic generation—based on their external specification—of reactor components that testers can use as substitutes for components their components depend on, but that have not yet been developed. The test components generated can respond to an invocation interactively or automatically by means of a test script. The framework can also visualize interactions between components as they flow through a distributed system, and can compare runtime interactions with design specifications. The approach to testing that we describe was first explored in the distributed software component (DSC) framework developed as part of the FRIENDS project, and has been used successfully in the WINMAN European research project, which deals with network management applications. The test framework has now been extended and adapted for the CCM architecture. It is currently implemented as part of the COACH research project, which is sponsored by the European Commission. © 2003 Lucent Technologies Inc.