Introduction to TestStand

This lesson introduces TestStand. You learn the basic concepts of test management software and the components of the TestStand architecture. Topics include:

• Benefits of using TestStand
• Understanding the TestStand architecture
• Lowering test costs with TestStand.

Prerequisites : Familiarity with LabVIEW or LabWindows/CVI. Recommended -depending on your development application, LabVIEW Basics I and II or LabWindows/CVI Basics I and II.

Day 1

The TestStand Environment

This lesson discusses TestStand sequence files, sequences and their step groups. You will learn about the debugging tools available in TestStand. The lesson defines the concept of a process model and explains how TestStand can use the different default process models to execute tests. Test file management tools are also discussed. Topics include:

• TestStand sequences and sequence files
• Debugging tools
• Understanding the process model
• Process models
• Workspaces and source control. 

Creating Sequences

This lesson describes the steps involved in creating a TestStand sequence. You learn how to create a new TestStand sequence, specify the test modules for each step, and configure the step properties. Topics include:

• Creating test sequences
• Specifying the module
• Configuring step properties
• NI Switch Executive demonstration. 

TestStand Parameters, Variables, and Expressions

This lesson describes TestStand parameters and the three types of TestStand variables: locals, sequence file globals, and stations globals. This lesson also describes the RunState property object and how to utilize the TestStand Expression Browser dialog box to use variables and properties in expressions throughout the TestStand environment. Topics include:

• TestStand variables
• Creating local and sequence file global variables
• RunState properties
• Using the expression browser 

Creating Test Modules in External Environments

This lesson describes how to create code modules in external environments for use in TestStand and how data is transferred from TestStand to other environments. This lesson also describes the LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI test development environments, how to pass data to TestStand from these environments, and how to debug these code modules directly from TestStand. Topics include:

• Data transfer in TestStand
• ActiveX automation
• Lookup strings
• Using TestStand code templates.

 

Day 2

Importing and Exporting Properties

This lesson describes how to import and export variables and properties for sequences using the Import/Export Properties tool and the Property Loader step type. Topics include:

• Importing and Exporting sequence properties
• Using the Property Loader step type 

Configuration

This lesson describes the modifications that can be made using the TestStand configuration dialog boxes. Topics include:

• Station options dialog box
• Report configuration options
• Search directories 

User Management

This lesson introduces user management in TestStand. You will learn how to use the User Manager window to add users and customize their privileges. Topics include:

• TestStand user manager
• Default user profiles 

TestStand Types

This lesson describes the various TestStand types, including step types and data types. You will learn how to use them, and how to create and use your own custom types. Topics include:

• TestStand data types and step types
• How types are stored and used
• How to create custom types

Day 3

Database Interaction

This lesson describes the database interaction features in TestStand. You will learn how to enable TestStand to log results to a database and use the Database Viewer to view data that TestStand has logged to the database. Topics include:

• Database concepts
• Default logging to databases 

Database Configuration

This lesson describes how to customize the database logging features in TestStand. The lesson covers how to modify the various components of database logging to meet your requirements. Topics include:

• Database concepts and SQL
• Database logging schemas
• Logging additional data to a database
• Using database step types

Distribution of TestStand Applications

This lesson describes how to distribute your TestStand test environment once you are ready to deploy it.