Automated generation of a test class pre-header from an interactive graphical user interface

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9785526-B2
Application number	US-201313874380-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 30, 2013
Priority date	Apr 30, 2013
Publication date	Oct 10, 2017
Grant date	Oct 10, 2017

Abstract

A method for performing tests using automated test equipment (ATE) is presented. The method comprises obtaining information concerning a test class using a graphical user interface. Further, it comprises generating a first header file automatically, wherein the first header file comprises the information concerning the test class. Next, it comprises importing the first header file into a test plan operable to execute using a tester operating system wherein the test plan comprises instances of the test class. It further comprises, generating a second header file from the first header file automatically, wherein the second header file is a header file for the test class. The method also comprises validating the test plan using the tester operating system. Finally, the method comprises loading the test plan and a compiled module onto the tester operating system for execution, wherein the compiled module is a compiled translation of the test class.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for performing tests using automated test equipment (ATE), said method comprising:
obtaining information concerning at least one test class using a graphical user interface;
generating a first header file automatically, wherein contents of said first header file comprise said information;
importing said first header file into a test plan operable to execute using a tester operating system, wherein said tester operating system is installed on a system controller, wherein said test plan comprises instances of said at least one test class, and wherein said test plan is operable to define tests to be run on a plurality of devices under test (DUTs) communicatively coupled to said system controller;
generating a second header file from said first header file automatically, wherein said second header file is a header file for said at least one test class, and wherein said second header file and said at least one test class are prepared using a common programming language;
validating said test plan using said tester operating system; and
loading said test plan and at least one compiled module onto said tester operating system for execution, wherein each of said at least one compiled module is a compiled translation of a respective one of said at least one test class, and wherein said second header file is used to generate said at least one compiled module.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
instantiating said at least one test class with said information from said first header file; and
executing said test plan.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said information comprises test class parameter definitions.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said information comprises definitions for identifying said at least one test class.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said information comprises extension code for said at least one test class.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said graphical user interface comprises a first window and a second window, wherein said first window is operable to display information for a plurality of test class parameters, and wherein said second window is operable to display information corresponding to a test class parameter selected in said first window.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said plurality of test class parameters are initialized with a default value, and further wherein values for said plurality of test class parameters are operable to be edited by a user.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising automatically checking for syntax and semantic errors responsive to a user inputting and saving said information into a graphical editor of said graphical user interface.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said graphical user interface comprises:
a text editor mode; and
a display editor mode.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising automatically synchronizing changes made in said display editor mode with said text editor mode, and further comprising automatically synchronizing changes made in said text editor mode with said display editor mode.

11. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon, computer executable instructions that, if executed by a computer system cause the computer system to perform a method for performing tests using automated test equipment (ATE), said method comprising:
obtaining information concerning at least one test class using a graphical user interface;
generating a first header file automatically, wherein contents of said first header file comprise said information;
importing said first header file into a test plan operable to execute using a tester operating system, wherein said tester operating system is installed on a system controller, wherein said test plan comprises instances of said at least one test class, and wherein said test plan is operable to define tests to be run on a plurality of devices under test (DUTs) communicatively coupled to said system controller;
generating a second header file from said first header file automatically, wherein said second header file is a header file for said at least one test class, and wherein said second header file and said at least one test class are prepared using a common programming language;
validating said test plan using said tester operating system; and
loading said test plan and at least one compiled module onto said tester operating system for execution, wherein each of said at least one compiled module is a compiled translation of a respective one of said at least one test class, and wherein said second header file is used to generate said at least one compiled module.

12. The computer-readable medium as described in claim 11 , wherein said method further comprises:
instantiating said at least one test class with said information is selected from said first header file; and
executing said test plan.

13. The computer-readable medium as described in claim 11 , wherein said information is selected from the group consisting of: test class parameter definitions, definitions for identifying said at least one test class, extension code for said at least one test class.

14. The computer-readable medium as described in claim 11 , wherein said graphical user interface comprises:
a text editor mode; and
a display editor mode.

15. The computer-readable medium as described in claim 14 , wherein said method further comprises:
automatically synchronizing changes made in said display editor mode with said text editor mode; and
automatically synchronizing changes made in said text editor mode with said display editor mode.

16. The computer-readable medium as described in claim 11 , further comprising automatically checking for syntax and semantic errors responsive to a user inputting and saving said information into a graphical editor of said graphical user interface.

17. The computer-readable medium as described in claim 11 , wherein said graphical user interface comprises a first window and a second window, wherein said first window is operable to display information for a plurality of test class parameters, and wherein said second window is operable to display information corresponding to a test class parameter selected in said first window.

18. A system for performing an automated test, said system comprising:
a memory comprising a tester operating system stored therein;
a communicative interface operable to connect to a plurality of devices under test (DUTs);
a processor coupled to the memory and the communicative interface, the processor being configured to operate in accordance with the tester operating system to:
obtain information concerning at least one test class using a graphical user interface;
generate a first header file automatically, wherein contents of said first header file comprise said information;
import said first header file into a test plan operable to execute using said tester operating system, wherein said test plan comprises instances of said at least one test class, and wherein said test plan is operable to define tests to be run on said plurality of DUTs;
generate a second header file from said first header file automatically, wherein said second header file is a header file for said at least one test class;
validate said test plan using said tester operating system; and
load said test plan and at least one compiled module onto said tester operating system for execution, wherein each of said at least one compiled module is a compiled translation of a respective one of said at least one test class, and wherein said second header file is used t

Assignees

• Advantest Corp

Inventors

• Elston Mark
• Pramanick Ankan
• Chen Leon
• Pinjala Chandra

Classifications

• G06F11/263 Primary

  Generation of test inputs, e.g. test vectors, patterns or sequences {; with adaptation of the tested hardware for testability with external testers} · CPC title