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<!DOCTYPE erlref SYSTEM "erlref.dtd">
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<header>
<copyright>
<year>2003</year><year>2011</year>
<holder>Ericsson AB. All Rights Reserved.</holder>
</copyright>
<legalnotice>
The contents of this file are subject to the Erlang Public License,
Version 1.1, (the "License"); you may not use this file except in
compliance with the License. You should have received a copy of the
Erlang Public License along with this software. If not, it can be
retrieved online at http://www.erlang.org/.
Software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS"
basis, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See
the License for the specific language governing rights and limitations
under the License.
</legalnotice>
<title>Common Test</title>
<prepared>Kenneth Lundin, Peter Andersson</prepared>
<responsible>Peter Andersson</responsible>
<docno></docno>
<approved></approved>
<checked></checked>
<date>2003-10-21</date>
<rev>PA1</rev>
<file>common_test_app.sgml</file>
</header>
<module>common_test</module>
<modulesummary>A framework for automated testing of arbitrary target nodes</modulesummary>
<description>
<p>The <em>Common Test</em> framework is an environment for
implementing and performing automatic and semi-automatic execution of
test cases.
Common Test uses the OTP Test Server as engine for test case
execution and logging.</p>
<p>In brief, Common Test supports:</p>
<list>
<item>Automated execution of test suites (sets of test cases).</item>
<item>Logging of the events during execution.</item>
<item>HTML presentation of test suite results.</item>
<item>HTML presentation of test suite code.</item>
<item>Support functions for test suite authors.</item>
<item>Step by step execution of test cases.</item>
</list>
<p>The following sections describe the mandatory and optional test suite
functions Common Test will call during test execution. For more details
see <seealso marker="write_test_chapter">Common Test User's
Guide.</seealso> </p>
</description>
<section>
<title>TEST CASE CALLBACK FUNCTIONS</title>
<p>The following functions define the callback interface
for a test suite.</p>
</section>
<funcs>
<func>
<name>Module:all() -> Tests | {skip,Reason} </name>
<fsummary>Returns the list of all test case groups and test cases
in the module.</fsummary>
<type>
<v>Tests = [TestCase | {group,GroupName} |
{group,GroupName,Properties} |
{group,GroupName,Properties,SubGroups}]</v>
<v>TestCase = atom()</v>
<v>GroupName = atom()</v>
<v>Properties = [parallel | sequence | Shuffle | {RepeatType,N}] |
default</v>
<v>SubGroups = [{GroupName,Properties} |
{GroupName,Properties,SubGroups}]</v>
<v>Shuffle = shuffle | {shuffle,Seed}</v>
<v>Seed = {integer(),integer(),integer()}</v>
<v>RepeatType = repeat | repeat_until_all_ok | repeat_until_all_fail |
repeat_until_any_ok | repeat_until_any_fail</v>
<v>N = integer() | forever</v>
<v>Reason = term()</v>
</type>
<desc>
<p> MANDATORY </p>
<p>This function must return the list of all test cases and test
case groups in the test suite module that are to be executed.
This list also specifies the order the cases and groups will
be executed by Common Test. A test case is represented by an atom,
the name of the test case function. A test case group is
represented by a <c>group</c> tuple, where <c>GroupName</c>,
an atom, is the name of the group (defined in <c>groups/0</c>).
Execution properties for groups may also be specified, both
for a top level group and for any of its sub-groups.
Group execution properties specified here, will override
properties in the group definition (see <c>groups/0</c>).
(With value <c>default</c>, the group definition properties
will be used).</p>
<p> If <c>{skip,Reason}</c> is returned, all test cases
in the module will be skipped, and the <c>Reason</c> will
be printed on the HTML result page.</p>
<p>For details on groups, see
<seealso marker="write_test_chapter#test_case_groups">Test case
groups</seealso> in the User's Guide.</p>
</desc>
</func>
<func>
<name>Module:groups() -> GroupDefs</name>
<fsummary>Returns a list of test case group definitions.</fsummary>
<type>
<v>GroupDefs = [Group]</v>
<v>Group = {GroupName,Properties,GroupsAndTestCases}</v>
<v>GroupName = atom()</v>
<v>Properties = [parallel | sequence | Shuffle | {RepeatType,N}]</v>
<v>GroupsAndTestCases = [Group | {group,GroupName} | TestCase]</v>
<v>TestCase = atom()</v>
<v>Shuffle = shuffle | {shuffle,Seed}</v>
<v>Seed = {integer(),integer(),integer()}</v>
<v>RepeatType = repeat | repeat_until_all_ok | repeat_until_all_fail |
repeat_until_any_ok | repeat_until_any_fail</v>
<v>N = integer() | forever</v>
</type>
<desc>
<p> OPTIONAL </p>
<p>Function for defining test case groups. Please see
<seealso marker="write_test_chapter#test_case_groups">Test case
groups</seealso> in the User's Guide for details.</p>
</desc>
</func>
<func>
<name>Module:suite() -> [Info] </name>
<fsummary>Test suite info function (providing default data
for the suite).</fsummary>
<type>
<v> Info = {timetrap,Time} | {require,Required} |
{require,Name,Required} | {userdata,UserData} |
{silent_connections,Conns} | {stylesheet,CSSFile} |
{ct_hooks, CTHs}</v>
<v> Time = TimeVal | TimeFunc</v>
<v> TimeVal = MilliSec | {seconds,integer()} | {minutes,integer()} |
{hours,integer()}</v>
<v> TimeFunc = {Mod,Func,Args} | Fun</v>
<v> MilliSec = integer()</v>
<v> Mod = atom()</v>
<v> Func = atom()</v>
<v> Args = list()</v>
<v> Fun = fun()</v>
<v> Required = Key | {Key,SubKeys}</v>
<v> Key = atom()</v>
<v> SubKeys = SubKey | [SubKey]</v>
<v> SubKey = atom()</v>
<v> Name = atom()</v>
<v> UserData = term()</v>
<v> Conns = [atom()]</v>
<v> CSSFile = string()</v>
<v> CTHs = [CTHModule | {CTHModule, CTHInitArgs} | {CTHModule, CTHInitArgs, CTHPriority}]</v>
<v> CTHModule = atom()</v>
<v> CTHInitArgs = term()</v>
</type>
<desc>
<p> OPTIONAL </p>
<p>This is the test suite info function. It is supposed to
return a list of tagged tuples that specify various properties
related to the execution of this test suite (common for all
test cases in the suite).</p>
<p>The <c>timetrap</c> tag sets the maximum time each
test case is allowed to execute (including <c>init_per_testcase/2</c>
and <c>end_per_testcase/2</c>). If the timetrap time is
exceeded, the test case fails with reason
<c>timetrap_timeout</c>. A <c>TimeFunc</c> function can be used to
set a new timetrap by returning a <c>TimeVal</c>. It may also be
used to trigger a timetrap timeout by, at some point, returning a
value other than a <c>TimeVal</c>. (See the
<seealso marker="write_test_chapter#timetraps">User's Guide</seealso>
for details).
</p>
<p>The <c>require</c> tag specifies configuration variables
that are required by test cases (and/or configuration functions)
in the suite. If the required configuration variables are not found
in any of the configuration files, all test cases are skipped. For more
information about the 'require' functionality, see the
reference manual for the function
<c>ct:require/[1,2]</c>.</p>
<p>With <c>userdata</c>, it is possible for the user to
specify arbitrary test suite related information which can be
read by calling <c>ct:userdata/2</c>.</p>
<p>The <c>ct_hooks</c> tag specifies which
<seealso marker="ct_hooks_chapter">Common Test Hooks</seealso>
are to be run together with this suite.</p>
<p>Other tuples than the ones defined will simply be ignored.</p>
<p>For more information about the test suite info function,
see <seealso marker="write_test_chapter#suite">Test
suite info function</seealso> in the User's Guide.</p>
</desc>
</func>
<func>
<name>Module:init_per_suite(Config) -> NewConfig | {skip,Reason} |
{skip_and_save,Reason,SaveConfig}</name>
<fsummary>Test suite initializations.</fsummary>
<type>
<v> Config = NewConfig = SaveConfig = [{Key,Value}]</v>
<v> Key = atom()</v>
<v> Value = term()</v>
<v> Reason = term()</v>
</type>
<desc>
<p> OPTIONAL </p>
<p>This configuration function is called as the first function in the
suite. It typically contains initializations which are common for
all test cases in the suite, and which shall only be done
once. The <c>Config</c> parameter is the configuration data
which can be modified here. Whatever is returned from this
function is given as <c>Config</c> to all configuration functions
and test cases in the suite. If <c>{skip,Reason}</c>
is returned, all test cases in the suite will be skipped
and <c>Reason</c> printed in the overview log for the suite.</p>
<p>For information on <c>save_config</c> and <c>skip_and_save</c>,
please see
<seealso marker="dependencies_chapter#save_config">Dependencies
between Test Cases and Suites</seealso> in the User's Guide.</p>
</desc>
</func>
<func>
<name>Module:end_per_suite(Config) -> void() |
{save_config,SaveConfig}</name>
<fsummary>Test suite finalization. </fsummary>
<type>
<v> Config = SaveConfig = [{Key,Value}]</v>
<v> Key = atom()</v>
<v> Value = term()</v>
</type>
<desc>
<p> OPTIONAL </p>
<p>This function is called as the last test case in the
suite. It is meant to be used for cleaning up after
<c>init_per_suite/1</c>.
For information on <c>save_config</c>, please see
<seealso marker="dependencies_chapter#save_config">Dependencies
between Test Cases and Suites</seealso> in the User's Guide.</p>
</desc>
</func>
<func>
<name>Module:group(GroupName) -> [Info] </name>
<fsummary>Test case group info function (providing default data
for a test case group, i.e. its test cases and sub-groups).</fsummary>
<type>
<v> Info = {timetrap,Time} | {require,Required} |
{require,Name,Required} | {userdata,UserData} |
{silent_connections,Conns} | {stylesheet,CSSFile} |
{ct_hooks, CTHs}</v>
<v> Time = TimeVal | TimeFunc</v>
<v> TimeVal = MilliSec | {seconds,integer()} | {minutes,integer()} |
{hours,integer()}</v>
<v> TimeFunc = {Mod,Func,Args} | Fun</v>
<v> MilliSec = integer()</v>
<v> Mod = atom()</v>
<v> Func = atom()</v>
<v> Args = list()</v>
<v> Fun = fun()</v>
<v> Required = Key | {Key,SubKeys}</v>
<v> Key = atom()</v>
<v> SubKeys = SubKey | [SubKey]</v>
<v> SubKey = atom()</v>
<v> Name = atom()</v>
<v> UserData = term()</v>
<v> Conns = [atom()]</v>
<v> CSSFile = string()</v>
<v> CTHs = [CTHModule | {CTHModule, CTHInitArgs} |
{CTHModule, CTHInitArgs, CTHPriority}]</v>
<v> CTHModule = atom()</v>
<v> CTHInitArgs = term()</v>
</type>
<desc>
<p> OPTIONAL </p>
<p>This is the test case group info function. It is supposed to
return a list of tagged tuples that specify various properties
related to the execution of a test case group (i.e. its test cases
and sub-groups). Properties set by <c>groups/1</c> override
properties with the same key that have been previously set by
<c>suite/0</c>.</p>
<p>The <c>timetrap</c> tag sets the maximum time each
test case is allowed to execute (including <c>init_per_testcase/2</c>
and <c>end_per_testcase/2</c>). If the timetrap time is
exceeded, the test case fails with reason
<c>timetrap_timeout</c>. A <c>TimeFunc</c> function can be used to
set a new timetrap by returning a <c>TimeVal</c>. It may also be
used to trigger a timetrap timeout by, at some point, returning a
value other than a <c>TimeVal</c>. (See the
<seealso marker="write_test_chapter#timetraps">User's Guide</seealso>
for details).</p>
<p>The <c>require</c> tag specifies configuration variables
that are required by test cases (and/or configuration functions)
in the suite. If the required configuration variables are not found
in any of the configuration files, all test cases in this group are skipped.
For more information about the 'require' functionality, see the
reference manual for the function
<c>ct:require/[1,2]</c>.</p>
<p>With <c>userdata</c>, it is possible for the user to
specify arbitrary test case group related information which can be
read by calling <c>ct:userdata/2</c>.</p>
<p>The <c>ct_hooks</c> tag specifies which
<seealso marker="ct_hooks_chapter">Common Test Hooks</seealso>
are to be run together with this suite.</p>
<p>Other tuples than the ones defined will simply be ignored.</p>
<p>For more information about the test case group info function,
see <seealso marker="write_test_chapter#suite">Test
case group info function</seealso> in the User's Guide.</p>
</desc>
</func>
<func>
<name>Module:init_per_group(GroupName, Config) -> NewConfig |
{skip,Reason}</name>
<fsummary>Test case group initializations.</fsummary>
<type>
<v> GroupName = atom()</v>
<v> Config = NewConfig = [{Key,Value}]</v>
<v> Key = atom()</v>
<v> Value = term()</v>
<v> Reason = term()</v>
</type>
<desc>
<p> OPTIONAL </p>
<p>This configuration function is called before execution of a
test case group. It typically contains initializations which are
common for all test cases and sub-groups in the group, and which
shall only be performed once. <c>GroupName</c> is the name of the
group, as specified in the group definition (see <c>groups/0</c>). The
<c>Config</c> parameter is the configuration data which can be modified
here. The return value of this function is given as <c>Config</c>
to all test cases and sub-groups in the group. If <c>{skip,Reason}</c>
is returned, all test cases in the group will be skipped and
<c>Reason</c> printed in the overview log for the group.</p>
<p>For information about test case groups, please see
<seealso marker="write_test_chapter#test_case_groups">Test case
groups</seealso> chapter in the User's Guide.</p>
</desc>
</func>
<func>
<name>Module:end_per_group(GroupName, Config) -> void() |
{return_group_result,Status}</name>
<fsummary>Test case group finalization.</fsummary>
<type>
<v> GroupName = atom()</v>
<v> Config = [{Key,Value}]</v>
<v> Key = atom()</v>
<v> Value = term()</v>
<v> Status = ok | skipped | failed</v>
</type>
<desc>
<p> OPTIONAL </p>
<p>This function is called after the execution of a test case group is finished.
It is meant to be used for cleaning up after <c>init_per_group/2</c>.
By means of <c>{return_group_result,Status}</c>, it is possible to return a
status value for a nested sub-group. The status can be retrieved in
<c>end_per_group/2</c> for the group on the level above. The status will also
be used by Common Test for deciding if execution of a group should proceed in
case the property <c>sequence</c> or <c>repeat_until_*</c> is set.</p>
<p>For more information about test case groups, please see
<seealso marker="write_test_chapter#test_case_groups">Test case
groups</seealso> chapter in the User's Guide.</p>
</desc>
</func>
<func>
<name>Module:init_per_testcase(TestCase, Config) -> NewConfig | {fail,Reason} | {skip,Reason}</name>
<fsummary>Test case initializations.</fsummary>
<type>
<v> TestCase = atom()</v>
<v> Config = NewConfig = [{Key,Value}]</v>
<v> Key = atom()</v>
<v> Value = term()</v>
<v> Reason = term()</v>
</type>
<desc>
<p>OPTIONAL</p>
<p>This function is called before each test case. The
<c>TestCase</c> argument is the name of the test case, and
<c>Config</c> (list of key-value tuples) is the configuration
data that can be modified here. The <c>NewConfig</c> list returned
from this function is given as <c>Config</c> to the test case.
If <c>{fail,Reason}</c> is returned, the test case is
marked as failed without being executed. If <c>{skip,Reason}</c> is
returned, the test case will be skipped and <c>Reason</c> printed
in the overview log for the suite.</p>
</desc>
</func>
<func>
<name>Module:end_per_testcase(TestCase, Config) -> void() | {fail,Reason} | {save_config,SaveConfig}</name>
<fsummary>Test case finalization.</fsummary>
<type>
<v> TestCase = atom()</v>
<v> Config = SaveConfig = [{Key,Value}]</v>
<v> Key = atom()</v>
<v> Value = term()</v>
<v> Reason = term()</v>
</type>
<desc>
<p> OPTIONAL </p>
<p> This function is called after each test case, and can be used
to clean up after <c>init_per_testcase/2</c> and the test case.
Any return value (besides <c>{fail,Reason}</c> and <c>{save_config,SaveConfig}</c>)
is ignored. By returning <c>{fail,Reason}</c>, <c>TestCase</c> will be marked as
failed (even though it was actually successful in the sense that it returned
a value instead of terminating). For information on <c>save_config</c>, please see
<seealso marker="dependencies_chapter#save_config">Dependencies between
Test Cases and Suites</seealso> in the User's Guide</p>
</desc>
</func>
<func>
<name>Module:Testcase() -> [Info] </name>
<fsummary>Test case info function. </fsummary>
<type>
<v> Info = {timetrap,Time} | {require,Required} |
{require,Name,Required} | {userdata,UserData} |
{silent_connections,Conns}</v>
<v> Time = TimeVal | TimeFunc</v>
<v> TimeVal = MilliSec | {seconds,integer()} | {minutes,integer()} |
{hours,integer()}</v>
<v> TimeFunc = {Mod,Func,Args} | Fun</v>
<v> MilliSec = integer()</v>
<v> Mod = atom()</v>
<v> Func = atom()</v>
<v> Args = list()</v>
<v> Fun = fun()</v>
<v> Required = Key | {Key,SubKeys}</v>
<v> Key = atom()</v>
<v> SubKeys = SubKey | [SubKey]</v>
<v> SubKey = atom()</v>
<v> Name = atom()</v>
<v> UserData = term()</v>
<v> Conns = [atom()]</v>
</type>
<desc>
<p>OPTIONAL</p>
<p>This is the test case info function. It is supposed to
return a list of tagged tuples that specify various properties
related to the execution of this particular test case.
Properties set by <c>Testcase/0</c> override
properties that have been previously set for the test case
by <c>group/1</c> or <c>suite/0</c>.</p>
<p>The <c>timetrap</c> tag sets the maximum time the
test case is allowed to execute. If the timetrap time is
exceeded, the test case fails with reason
<c>timetrap_timeout</c>. <c>init_per_testcase/2</c>
and <c>end_per_testcase/2</c> are included in the
timetrap time. A <c>TimeFunc</c> function can be used to
set a new timetrap by returning a <c>TimeVal</c>. It may also be
used to trigger a timetrap timeout by, at some point, returning a
value other than a <c>TimeVal</c>. (See the
<seealso marker="write_test_chapter#timetraps">User's Guide</seealso>
for details).</p>
<p>The <c>require</c> tag specifies configuration variables
that are required by the test case (and/or <c>init/end_per_testcase/2</c>).
If the required configuration variables are not found in any of the
configuration files, the test case is skipped. For more
information about the 'require' functionality, see the
reference manual for the function
<c>ct:require/[1,2]</c>.</p>
<p>If <c>timetrap</c> and/or <c>require</c> is not set, the
default values specified by <c>suite/0</c> (or
<c>group/1</c>) will be used.</p>
<p>With <c>userdata</c>, it is possible for the user to
specify arbitrary test case related information which can be
read by calling <c>ct:userdata/3</c>.</p>
<p>Other tuples than the ones defined will simply be ignored.</p>
<p>For more information about the test case info function,
see <seealso marker="write_test_chapter#info_function">Test
case info function</seealso> in the User's Guide.</p>
</desc>
</func>
<func>
<name>Module:Testcase(Config) -> void() | {skip,Reason} | {comment,Comment} | {save_config,SaveConfig} | {skip_and_save,Reason,SaveConfig} | exit() </name>
<fsummary>A test case</fsummary>
<type>
<v> Config = SaveConfig = [{Key,Value}]</v>
<v> Key = atom()</v>
<v> Value = term()</v>
<v> Reason = term()</v>
<v> Comment = string()</v>
</type>
<desc>
<p> MANDATORY </p>
<p>This is the implementation of a test case. Here you must
call the functions you want to test, and do whatever you
need to check the result. If something fails, make sure the
function causes a runtime error, or call <c>ct:fail/1/2</c>
(which also causes the test case process to terminate).</p>
<p>Elements from the <c>Config</c> list can e.g. be read
with <c>proplists:get_value/2</c> (or the macro <c>?config</c>
defined in <c>ct.hrl</c>).</p>
<p>You can return <c>{skip,Reason}</c> if you decide not to
run the test case after all. <c>Reason</c> will then be
printed in 'Comment' field on the HTML result page.</p>
<p>You can return <c>{comment,Comment}</c> if you wish to
print some information in the 'Comment' field on the HTML
result page.</p>
<p>If the function returns anything else, the test case is
considered successful. (The return value always gets printed
in the test case log file).</p>
<p>For more information about test case implementation, please
see <seealso marker="write_test_chapter#test_cases">Test
cases</seealso> in the User's Guide.</p>
<p>For information on <c>save_config</c> and <c>skip_and_save</c>, please see
<seealso marker="dependencies_chapter#save_config">Dependencies between
Test Cases and Suites</seealso> in the User's Guide.</p>
</desc>
</func>
</funcs>
</erlref>
