Patent ID: 8584095

Claim:
A computer implemented method for test support, the method comprising: storing information on a test scenario for a computer program defining a plurality of test nodes and processes between the test nodes; for each test node, storing information comprising information for identifying another test node to which the test node makes a next transition, and information on whether the test node includes a branch path to which a process branches; for each test node, determining whether the branch path exists for the test node; for each test node for which the branch path is determined to exist, calculating an estimated execution time required to complete a test when a snapshot is acquired at the test node, wherein the test is comprised of at least one process, calculating an execution time required to complete the test without acquiring any snapshot, and calculating a difference between the execution time and the estimated execution time as a reduced time for the test node when the snapshot is acquired at the test node; selecting one of the plurality of test nodes with a longest reduced time, wherein the longest reduced time identifies a test node at which acquiring a snapshot minimizes a required total test time; and outputting information for identifying the selected test node.