Tool Mentor: Configuring the Test Environment in Rational Test RealTime

Purpose

Every combination of compiler, linker, debugger and execution environment requires a customized Target Deployment Port (TDP). Additional modifications can be made to this TDP on a node-by-node basis within a Test RealTime project

This section provides links to additional information related to this tool mentor.

• Define Test Environment Configurations
• Support Development
• Set Up Tools

Overview

The Rational Test RealTime Target Deployment Port Technology ensures virtually unlimited build environment and target support. Such flexibility is crucial because the test and runtime analysis functionality of Test RealTime could not be considered valid unless they use the same compiler, linker, debugger and execution architecture used by the application under test.

Basic TDP adaptations are accomplished via the TDP Editor. This separate utility enables the specification of information crucial for Test RealTime support of a particular build and execution environment. Proper TDP adaptation can only be accomplished by a developer well acquainted with the characteristics and intricacies of the targeted development environment and execution platform. Adaptations can be everything from simply listing paths to standard compiler include files to defining heap management functions to ensure the memory profiling feature of Test RealTime can track nonstandard memory allocation functions.

Although this basic adaptation is sufficient for use of both the Component Testing and Runtime Analysis functionality of Test RealTime, additional modifications can be performed to accommodate particular execution requirements, such as modifying the level and type of instrumentation to be used for runtime analysis. By default, each Test RealTime project is assigned a base Configuration derived from the TDP selected in the Project Creation Wizard. Child nodes inherit this configuration from the project. However, a custom configuration can be created for each child node; in fact, this custom configuration can be based on a completely different TDP.

Basic adaptation of a Target Deployment Port, combined with individual Configurations, ensures a properly configured test environment.

Tool Steps

To configure your test environment to ensure successful usage of Test RealTime:

1. Use the TDP Editor to customize a Target Deployment Port
2. Use the Test RealTime Configuration Settings to make node-specific modifications

Use the TDP Editor to customize a Target Deployment Port

The TDP Editor lets you modify the default settings of Target Deployment Ports shipped with Test RealTime, as well as to create brand new TDPs for as yet unsupported development and execution environments.

TDPs are stored in XML-based files with a .xdp extension; these files are located in the folder ....\Rational\TestRealTime\targets\xml. The TDP Editor graphically organizes the .xdp contents in an orderly, well-documented fashion to ensure easy maneuverability and comprehension. The left-hand side of the TDP Editor lists the various categories for which customization may be required. The upper right-hand window contains Help information. The lower right-hand window is used for actual data entry.

Once the TDP has been properly configured, pressing the Save button automatically creates a variety of customized files and folders in the folder ...\Rational\TestRealTime\targets. Changes made to the .xdp file can be saved within the TDP Editor, at which time the target files will be properly overwritten.

To configure an existing TDP or create a new one:

1. In Test RealTime, select the menu item Tools->Target Deployment Port Editor->Start
2. Select the menu item File->Open - the contents of the folder ...\Rational\TestRealTime\targets\xml are displayed
3. If you wish to configure an existing Target Deployment Port, select the corresponding .xdp file and Open it.
   If you wish to create a new Target Deployment Port, select the menu item File->New, then select the appropriate language.
4. Modify the various Basic Settings, Build Settings, Library Settings and Parser Settings to accommodate your environment. Left-click those items you wish to modify in the left-hand window, then enter the appropriate values in the lower right-hand window. Use the upper right-hand window for guidance.
5. When you have finished configuring your TDP, press the Save button or select the menu item File->Save.

For detailed information refer to the Rational Test RealTime Target Deployment Guide.

Use the Test RealTime Configuration Settings to make node-specific modifications

When creating a project in Test RealTime, you must select a Target Deployment Port. This TDP becomes the basis for a project's Configuration Settings. The project Configuration file lets the user define node-specific settings that:

• override basic settings entered via the TDP Editor, OR
• modify runtime analysis parameters that can only be set within Test RealTime itself

Using Configuration Settings, one could assign a different TDP to each Test node within a group node, or different levels of instrumentation to multiple Application nodes. Such flexibility gives you the freedom to test and analyze multiple languages at the same time or acquire different levels of information during a single run.

To access and modify a Test RealTime project's Configuration Settings:

1. After opening a project in Test RealTime, select the menu item Project->Settings.
2. Move and resize the resulting window, entitled "<Project Name> Configuration Setting" so that you can freely view the Project Browser window on the right-hand side of the screen.
3. Left-click any node in the Project Browser to access the Configuration Settings for that particular node.
4. Use the Configuration Settings window to define and/or override existing settings. Anytime a setting is overridden, the setting name and its category name are listed in bold-faced letters.
5. Press the Apply button to save your modifications.

Additional areas of interest in Configuration Setting modification:

• General->Host Configuration->Target Deployment Port
  Used to select which TDP will be used with each Group, Application or Test Node.
  
• General->Target Deployment Port->Name
  Used to create a custom name for the Configuration file, whose default name was the active TDP selected during project creation.
• Runtime Analysis
  Various settings used to specify the exact type and level of runtime analysis to be used for each node.
  

For detailed information refer to the Rational Test RealTime User Guide, under the topic Graphical User Interface-> Configurations and Settings.

Rational Unified Process