Dynamic management and control of test features in native applications
Techniques are described herein for enhancing software application development and software design-for-test (DFT) technology by facilitating dynamic management and control of embedded dynamic test features via an application development and optimization platform. In some embodiments, an application development and optimization platform is described that can track, manage and rollout features of native mobile applications without the need to wait for public app store releases.
1. A computing apparatus comprising:
one or more computer-readable storage media;
a processing system operatively coupled with the one or more computer-readable storage media; and
a native application comprising one or more functions of an embedded test feature that is part of native code of the native application, the embedded test feature switchable among a plurality of states, the plurality of states comprising a first state of the embedded test feature and a second state of the embedded test feature, and the native application stored on the one or more computer-readable storage media and comprising program instructions that, when executed by the processing system, direct the processing system to:
responsive to a first event that triggers the embedded test feature of the native application, execute the embedded test feature in the first state using first data that is included in the embedded test feature;
receive a manifest remotely via a network from an online application development and optimization platform, the manifest including an instruction to switch the first state of the embedded test feature of the native application to the second state, and including second data for replacing the first data;
process the manifest to switch the first state of the embedded test feature of the native application to the second state;
monitor execution of the program instructions associated with the native application for occurrence of a second event that triggers the embedded test feature of the native application;
responsive to the second event, replace the first data that is included in the embedded test feature with the second data that is included in the manifest; and
execute the embedded test feature in the second state using the second data.
2. The computing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second event that triggers the embedded test feature comprises a function call.
3. The computing apparatus of claim 2 , wherein to execute the embedded test feature in the second state, the program instructions, when executed by the processing system, direct the processing system to:
identify an original function that invokes the function call;
intercept the function call and responsively access the instruction to switch the first state of the embedded test feature to the second state; and
execute the embedded test feature in the second state.
4. The computing apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the program instructions, when executed by the processing system, further direct the processing system to return to the original function.
5. The computing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the program instructions, when executed by the processing system, further direct the processing system to:
detect launch of the native application on the computing apparatus;
responsive to the launch of the native application on the computing apparatus, send a request to the online application development and optimization platform for the manifest.
6. The computing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the instruction to switch the first state of the embedded test feature to the second state identifies one or more of a test state flag on the native application to be toggled, an instruction on the native application associated with the second state, or a data object on the native application associated with the second state.
7. The computing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second data that replaces the first data includes one or more of new objects, events, or actions for the embedded test feature.
8. The computing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein replacing the first data with the second data comprises a change to one or more of an image, a color, a call to action, or a layout.
9. The computing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the embedded test feature comprises a dynamic variable or a code block.
10. The computing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the object code of the native application is unmodified by the processing of the manifest to switch the first state of the embedded test feature to the second state.
11. The computing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the native application includes an embedded control module that comprises a software development kit (SDK).
12. A method of dynamically enabling test features in a native application executing on a computing apparatus, the method comprising:
responsive to a first event that triggers an embedded test feature of the native application, executing the embedded test feature in a first state of the embedded test feature using first data that is included in the embedded test feature, wherein the embedded test feature is part of native code of the native application comprising one or more functions of the embedded test feature, the embedded test feature switchable among a plurality of states comprising the first state and a second state of the embedded test feature;
receiving, by the computing apparatus, a manifest remotely via a network from an online application development and optimization platform, the manifest including an instruction to switch the first state of the embedded test feature to the second state, and including second data for replacing the first data;
processing the manifest to switch the first state of the embedded test feature of the native application to the second state;
monitoring program instructions executing the native application on the computing apparatus for occurrence of a second event triggering the embedded test feature of the native application;
responsive to the second event, replacing the first data that is included in the embedded test feature with the second data that is included in the manifest; and
executing the embedded test feature in the second state using the second data.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the second event that triggers the embedded test feature comprises a function call, and wherein executing the embedded test feature in the second state comprises:
identifying an original function that invokes the function call;
intercepting the function call and responsively access the second state of the embedded test feature; and
executing the embedded test feature in the second state.
14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising returning to the original function.
15. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
detecting launch of the native application on the computing apparatus;
responsive to the launch of the native application on the computing apparatus, sending a request to the online application development and optimization platform for the manifest.
16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the instruction to switch the first state of the embedded test feature to the second state identifies one or more of a test state flag on the native application to be toggled, an instruction on the native application associated with the second state, or a data object on the native application associated with the second state.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the second data that replaces the first data includes one or more of new objects, events, or actions for the embedded test feature.
18. The method of claim 12 , wherein replacing the first data with the second data comprises a change to one or more of an image, a color, a call to action, or a layout.