A framework for testing distributed software components

Component-based software engineering is an influential trend in software engineering. Adopting component-based techniques, a system can be constructed by synthesis of various distributed components. This paper presents a framework of remote testing of distributed software components. Based on the CORBA architecture and Java technology, this paper provides an environment to allow a client-side software component to define tests for a black-box component published on the server-side. This technique simplifies test execution, test results check and report, and supports test reuse and test automation. The paper reveals a practical approach to test software components by enhancing software component testability and test re-usability. The incremental testing framework introduced in this paper is helpful in saving time, energy, and cost required for testing distributed components and for enhancing software quality. A testing supporting tool is implemented to facilitate distributed component testing based on CORBA.