The Scripting and Automation -> Test Controller can help you with automated testing in Vehicle Spy.  The Test Controller lets you select, sequence, and execute Test Capable Scripts and also see reports for the tests.  Test Capable Scripts can be created using the Test Recorder tool, but any script type function blocks with at least one Stop step and set to Manual Start will also work.

Along the top of the Test Controller screen (Figure 1) are four buttons.  The Run and Stop buttons will start and stop the Test Controller.  The Recorder button opens the Test Recorder tool.  The Test Capable Scripts button just provides a reminder of the requirements for a valid test script.

Use the left area of the screen to build your automated test sequence.  The test sequence begins at the top of the list and moves downwards for any tests with checkmarks next to them.  Tests without checkmarks are skipped.  Click the checkboxes to toggle individual tests on and off.  Move tests up and down in the list by clicking their name and clicking the up/down arrow buttons.  Use the All or None buttons to select all or none of the tests in the list.

Figure 1: Use the Test Controller to help you with automated testing.

After selecting your test sequence, click the Run button to begin automated testing.  Vehicle Spy will automatically go online and run through each selected test in the list one at a time.  The current test status is displayed just above the up/down arrow buttons.  Test results are shown in the Log area on the right.  Let the automation run until Complete or click the Stop button at anytime to stop before that point.

Note: Vehicle Spy will add a capture type function block named "TestControllerDataCapture" to the Function Blocks view after the Test Controller is started.  This function block is used by Vehicle Spy to capture buffer files for each test while they are running.

To see more details than just pass/fail for each test, click the Show Test Report button.  Your default webpage browser will open and show a test report similar to the example in Figure 2.

Figure 2: The Test Controller report gives pass/fail status and capture buffer hyperlinks for each test.

Vehicle Spy Documentation - (C) Copyright 1997-2011 Intrepid Control Systems, Inc.

Last Update: Friday, November 28, 2008