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Automated Test Solution Enhanced

TestStand 2016 focuses on increase productivity and ease of use.

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National Instruments (NI) recently announced the 2016 edition of its TestStand test management solution for building and deploying automated test systems. TestStand 2016, says NI, introduces new features that increase productivity when writing and modifying test sequences as well as features intended to make it easier to develop multiple independent applications.

TestStand offers a palette of out-of-the-box functionality for common test and validation tasks like sequencing, parallel test execution, report generation, database logging and system deployment. Users can customize each functionality to meet their requirements.

Beginning with version TestStand version 2016, test and validation engineers can specify in a TestStand environment file which directories to load at engine launch. This, explains NI, allows for the specification of global settings per application. Image courtesy of National Instruments. Beginning with version TestStand version 2016, test and validation engineers can specify in a TestStand environment file which directories to load at engine launch. This, explains NI, allows for the specification of global settings per application. Image courtesy of National Instruments.

TestStand comes with such features as a built-in test sequence engine supporting multiple test code languages and support for parallel/multithreaded tests. System features include functionality to create test sequences that automate code module execution; tools to create a distribution or installer for code modules, test sequences and related files; and built-in options for testing multiple devices in parallel for running multiple tests on the same device simultaneously. TestStand will automatically generate reports for tests in such standard formats as ATML and HTML as well as log test results to enterprise databases.

TestStand 2016 sees the introduction of a native enumeration (enum) data type, which eliminates the need to manually create a unique cluster when working with enum data. This data type can be used to pass data to and from enums defined in code modules. Image courtesy of National Instruments. TestStand 2016 sees the introduction of a native enumeration (enum) data type, which eliminates the need to manually create a unique cluster when working with enum data. This data type can be used to pass data to and from enums defined in code modules. Image courtesy of National Instruments.

Major enhancements to TestStand 2016 as highlighted by NI include:

  • A redesigned Property Loader for importing/exporting test sequence variables, limits, properties and more.
  • Additional right-click options and a native enumeration data type to help increase productivity when developing and modifying test sequences in the TestStand Sequence Editor.
  • Simultaneous execution and development of multiple independent applications through TestStand environments.
“Environments in TestStand 2016 have greatly simplified and sped up the development of my suite of universal test benches,” said Elaine Ramundo, senior development engineer, Mobile Device Division at Qorvo Inc., in a testimonial supplied by NI. “TestStand is the tool that allows me to develop my complex test sequences faster. Coupled with superior support and integration with the NI toolchain and other vendors, TestStand continues to be the premier choice in a test executive rather than building and maintaining my own.”

TestStand 2016 debuts a redesign Property Loader that extends support for additional property file formats beyond its previous support for select databases, Microsoft Excel and ANSI file types. The Property Loader now also allows users to load values from any file format with a plug-in architecture that enables additional custom formats. Image courtesy of National Instruments. TestStand 2016 debuts a redesign Property Loader that extends support for additional property file formats beyond its previous support for select databases, Microsoft Excel and ANSI file types. The Property Loader now also allows users to load values from any file format with a plug-in architecture that enables additional custom formats. Image courtesy of National Instruments.

NI reports that user feedback from its TestStand Idea Exchange drove the newest features in TestStand 2016. For more information on what’s new in TestStand 2016, click here.

Click here to go to the TestStand home page.

Watch short demo videos showing TestStand in action.

Download an evaluation copy of NI TestStand.

See why DE‘s Editors selected NI’s TestStand 2016 as their Pick of the Week.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.

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