Design a tool for unit testing in XML

based applications

Introduction
XML : The Extensible Markup Language, or XML for short, is a new
technology for Web applications that has the official recommendation of the
World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). XML is a descendant of the Standard
Generalized Markup Language (SGML), a markup standard created by former
IBMer Dr. Charles Goldfarb, that lets you create your own tags.

XSD (XML Schema Definition) : XML is now the standard way of moving
data between systems, in order to do this effectivley the sending and
receiving systems need to agree on the structure of the data being
exchanged. A schema formally describes what a given XML document
contains, in the same way a database schema describes the data that can be
contained in a database (table structure, data types). An XML schema
describes the coarse shape of the XML document, what attributes and
element it can contain and the hierarchy of those elements. It also describes
validation rules for the values that given attributes and elements can hold.

Unit Testing : In computer programming, unit testing is a method by which

individual units of source code are tested to determine if they are fit for use.
A unit is the smallest testable part of an application.

Why these technologies are the current industrial

standard ?
XML :

XML Separates Data from HTML : With XML, data can be stored in separate
XML files. This way you can concentrate on using HTML for layout and
display, and be sure that changes in the underlying data will not require
any changes to the HTML.

XML Simplifies Data Sharing : XML data is stored in plain text format. This
provides a software- and hardware-independent way of storing data.

XML Simplifies Data Transport : Exchanging data as XML greatly reduces

complexity, since the data can be read by different incompatible
applications.

XML Simplifies Platform Changes : XML data is stored in text format. This
makes it easier to expand or upgrade to new operating systems, new
applications, or new browsers, without losing data.

XML Makes Your Data More Available : With XML, your data can be available
to all kinds of "reading machines" (Handheld computers, voice
machines, news feeds, etc).

XSD :

• XML Schemas are extensible for future use - you can reuse your
schema in other schemas, create your own data types derived from
the standard data .
• XML Schemas are written in XML - this means you do not have to learn
a new language as with DTDs, you can use an existing XML editor to
edit the schema file.
• XML Schemas support namespaces - this allows us to validate
documents that use markup from multiple namespaces.
• Embedded documantation - human and machine readable
documentation can be embedded in a schema allowing tools to
generate useful documentation from them.
• Reduce the risk of errors - a well formed XML document can still
contain errors, having an XML Schema can reduce the risk of these
errors by validating your XML against the schema

Unit Testing :
The goal of unit testing is to isolate each part of the program and show that
the individual parts are correct.A unit test provides a strict, written contract
that the piece of code must satisfy. As a result, it affords several benefits.
Unit tests find problems early in the development cycle.

• Facilitates change : Unit testing allows the programmer to refactor

code at a later date, and make sure the module still works.
• Simplifies integration : Unit testing may reduce uncertainty in the units
themselves and can be used in a bottom-up testing style approach.
• Documentation : Unit testing provides a sort of living documentation of
the system
• Design : When software is developed using a test-driven approach, the
unit test may take the place of formal design. Each unit test can be
seen as a design element specifying classes, methods, and observable
behaviour.
•

Significance and purpose of Tool

Submitted By :
Avijeet Kumar Singh

Chetan Sood

Mohini Srivastava

Sanjay Singh Kholia