SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRINTER OUTPUT REGRESSION TESTING USING DISPLAY LISTS

A system and method for performing regression testing on software programs that produce printed output. An original version of a software program resident on a computer is issued known commands to generate a reference display list known to produce a known correct or reference printed page. A bitmap of the reference page is not generated. The reference display list includes image, graphic and text objects described by various attributes. A second modified version of the software program is loaded on the computer and issued the same set of known commands. The second software program generates a second is display list. A display list regression testing software module compares the second display list to the reference display list and identifies any differences by object type and attribute. Hence, incorrect results may be isolated to specific objects and more easily debugged in the source code of the software program. Visual comparison of actual printed output is substantially reduced.