1. Overview

This release includes the following main items:

• TestBase installation package, including a complete set of sample files, documentation and tutorial slides
• TYX License Manager
• Installation instructions

2. Detailed Description

2.1. Critical items

2.1.1. Operating system compatibility

The product works properly with Windows NT 4.0 SP 6 and Windows 2000 SP 2 and Windows XP.

2.1.2. Internet Explorer compatibility

The product works properly with Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 and 6.0. It does not work with Internet Explorer 5.0.

2.1.3. Microsoft Office compatibility

The display of Excel reports works properly with Microsoft Office 2000 Service Release 1 and Microsoft Office XP.

2.1.4. Microsoft Visio compatibility

The product works properly with Microsoft Visio 2000. The current version of the product is not compatible with Visio 2002.

2.1.5. Oracle compatibility

The source of the compatibility problem that occurred for previous versions was identified as being caused by an inconsistency between the Oracle software and the Microsoft libraries used internally by TestBase. For Oracle 8 versions, this problem may be fixed by configuring the system registry as described in the document Connectivity Issue with MDAC and Oracle8i.pdf. For Oracle 9, use the information provided in the above document for version 8.1, performing the following replacements in the strings to be entered in the registry:

1. replace oraclient8.dll with oraclient9.dll
2. replace orasql8.dll with orasql9.dll

The MTI Controller distributed with the current version of the product was tested with the following combinations of versions :

• Oracle 8.1.5 and 8.1.7, under Windows NT 4.0
• Oracle 8.1.5 and 8.1.7, under Windows 2000
• Oracle 9.0.1.1, under Windows NT 4.0.

Note: According to the TestBase documentation for the MTI subsystem, the specification of Data Source Names for Oracle databases uses the string "Oracle8". This string should be also used with Oracle 9.x software.

2.1.6. LabWindows/CVI compatibility

The Adapter for LabWindows/CVI works properly with the following versions: 5.0, 5.5 and 6.0. Minor changes to the sample test code must be performed in order to compile it under version 5.0. The TestBase installation package redistributes version 5.5 of the LabWindows/CVI Run Time Engine. You may obtain version 6.0 of the Run Time Engine from the National Instruments web site, at http://www.ni.com

2.1.7. Opening database files directly from the Windows Explorer

This version offers a temporary solution for opening TestBase files (extensions .tdd, .ttd and .ted) by double-clicking their icons in the Windows Explorer. While fully functional, the solution requires an initial manual setup. An automatic setup during installation will be provided in a later release. To use this feature, perform the following operations after installing the current version:

1. In the Windows Explorer, select menu Tools | Folder options, than click on the File Types tab.
2. Look for the extension "TDD" in the "Registered File Types" list. If not present, click New, than in the "File Extension" field of the displayed dialog enter "TDD" and press OK. The extension "TDD" should appear in the list
3. Select the extension "TDD" in the "Registered File Types" list and click the Advanced... button. In the upper edit box of the displayed dialog, enter "TestBase Diagnostic Database". Click the Change Icon... button, than Browse, navigate to the directory where TestBase was installed and select the file "IDE.exe", than press Open. The "Edit File Type" dialog will display the TestBase IDE icon. Click New. In the displayed dialog, enter the Action Name "open". Click Browse, navigate to the directory where TestBase was installed and select the file "IDE.exe", than press Open. Click OK. The "Edit File Type" dialog will display "open" in the "Actions" list. Click OK to close this dialog.
4. In the "Registered File Types" list you should see the association of the "TDD" extension with the "IDE" application.
5. Repeat steps 2 ... 4 for the extension "TTD". Use the file name "TestBase Test Database".
6. Repeat steps 2 ... 4 for the extension "TED". Use the file name "TestBase TED Database".
7. Click Close.

2.2.1. TestBase IDE

The "Undo" command used during flowchart editing does not operate properly in some situations. It is recommended to avoid using it.

Uppercase and lowercase are not used consistently during design and execution. Workaround: do not define Global Parameters that have identical names but different uppercase/lowercase letters (e.g. "Temperature" and "temperature").

The "Undo" command for the addition of an Off-Page Reference block does not delete the "pair" block that was automatically appended. Workaround: delete manually the "pair" block.

When running a test strategy in debug mode, with execution stopped between steps, if the user clicks on a different Control Flow Diagram then clicks the Run, Step, SimulatedStep or SimulatedStepWithUI buttons, an error message may be displayed: "Automation Error. Illegal to call out while inside message filter". Press OK, click on the Control Flow Diagram that is currently debugged and continue using the IDE. The error indicated before has no impact on subsequent operation.

In some situations accelerator keys (Ctrl-O for File | Open, F5 for Debug | Go, etc.) do not work. Use menus or toolbar buttons instead.

A General Protection Fault occurs when closing IDE or DC GUI after an Abort operation. Because it occurs only when the application is terminated, this behavior does not have harmful effects.

2.2.2. LabWindows support library

A limited subset of scalar data types is currently supported in the library. Workaround: use direct access to VARIANT fields for other data types.

2.3. Enhancements

2.3.1. Functional Test Controller module

This release introduces a new user interface module, named "Functional Test Controller". To start the module, click Start | Programs | TYX TestBase | Functional Test Controller. Please see the help system of the module for information on its purpose and usage.

2.3.2. Intusoft and DiagML Importers

This release introduces a new feature - Test strategy import from third-party diagnostic software. Two import formats are supported:

• DiagML (a non-proprietary diagnostic modeling format based on XML - see http://www.diagml.com), exported by DSI eXpress (http://www.dsiintl.com)
• .TDF files exported by Intusoft Test Designer (http://www.intusoft.com)

The import feature is at Beta release level. While the complete functionality is implemented, it is fully tested and is not documented.

To import a test strategy, click on the arrow of the rightmost in the toolbar of the tree area and follow the instructions. Samples for both import formats are included in the distribution, in <TestBase installation directory>\Samples\Importers.

2.3.3. User control of Debug and Simulate flags

Test procedures receive a "Simulate" flag, usable for implementing simulation in the test procedure code, and a "Debug" flag that may be used, for example, to limit the display of Soft Front Panels to debug mode. The values of these flags may be set as run-time options for all user interface modules. The "Simulate" flag may not be set in IDE, where it is controlled by the toolbar button used to execute a step (the flag is "False" when the Step button is used and "True" when the Simulated Step button is used).

The values of flags are set using the Flags tab added to the multi-tab Options dialog. Please see the Help System of each user interface module for details.

2.3.4. Input Parameter Values copied when duplicating Test and Display blocks

When a Test or a Display block is duplicated by copy-and-paste, the values of input parameters defined for the source block are copied to the duplicate. In previous implementation the input parameter values were reset to their defaults. This change does not alter the execution of previously developed projects.

2.3.5. Support for documentation text in flowcharts

This release introduces a new feature, supporting the input of documentation text in flowcharts.

A callout block was included in the stencil (palette). The callout connector (the diagonal line) may connected to an input or output port of a block. The callout may be also connected to the block body, in which case the connecting flow is automatically placed to the closest port (this type of connection is indicated by an empty red box, while for a port connection the red block has an X). When blocks are moved around, the callout connection is automatically re-routed, preserving the logical link between blocks and the documenting text.

Select a callout and drag the right edge of he block enclosing the text in order to resize it horizontally. The vertical resizing is automatic.

For documentation text that applies to the entire flowchart, you may use callout blocks not connected to other flowchart block. You may change the length of the callout connector to zero and/or change the line type to "no line" to make the callout appear as regular text.

The feature is at Beta release level. While the complete functionality is implemented, it is fully tested and is not documented.

2.3.6. Improved support for developing custom MTI Controllers

Starting with this release the development of Custom MTI Controller is supported by a more flexible mechanism, similar to the one used for Custom Adapters. This change has no impact on the execution of existing projects.

2.3.7. New documents

This release includes new documents that describe the following development tasks:

• development of COM test procedures with Visual C++
• development of custom Adapters

Please see the file "filelist.txt" available in <TestBase installation directory> for the location of the new documents.

2.3.8. Updated samples

The samples distributed with this release contain:

• Reorganized Diag and Test databases.
• The test procedures that support the demonstration with instruments are now characterized in a separate Test database.
• The test procedures that demonstrate the support for multiple test environments are now invoked from a single test strategy.
• The documents/reports that demonstrate the support for multiple formats are now invoked from a single test strategy.
• New samples for the test strategy import functionality.
• A new sample for the Functional Test Controller module.
• Improved simulation capabilities in CVI samples, as follows:
• GetSerialNumber() now requests a serial number from the user.
• The test procedures used from for demonstration with instruments (database Demo.tdd) now implement simulation capabilities.
• A fix in the C++ samples, which now return correctly the Output Parameter Values.

2.3.9. Updated presentation slides

This release includes updated presentation slides, available in <TestBase installation directory>\Doc\Pres. The updates cover the test strategy import feature and the Functional Test Controller.

2.3.10. Opening TestBase files from the Windows Explorer

2.4. Problem Reports

none