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5 Kudos
tardis4500

Unattended automated build for TestStand Deployment Utility

Status: New Submitted by Member on 05-07-2015 06:43 AM Comment

Although BuildTSD allows for builds from the command line, they are still not automatable because someone must be logged in for the run to work. All of our other build tools (Visual Studio, Eclipse, MPLAB, Quartus, NIOS, Matlab, etc.) allow for headless, remote, automated builds which support our move toward continuous integration, continuous deployment, and agile development.

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0 Kudos
warren_scott

Add RuleID to TS Sequence Analyzer Results Window

Status: New Submitted by Active Participant on 02-06-2015 01:14 PM Comment

In TS Sequence Analyzer Results Window:

it would be helpful to be able to have a column of RuleID in the results table.  This way when we are debugging/ troubleshooting results of custom rules that it would be much easier to track down to the specific RuleID that is being used (names/categories/descriptions can all be duplicated)

Right now RuleID is not available as one of the columns of the results table -- add it as an option.

I do NOT think it should be visible by default, but we should be able to show it optionally if we want.

IncludeRuleID.png

 

Also, if you select an analysis message from the results, you can right click on it and choose "Goto Rule"

Now at this point you are in the list of rules, but if you want to go track down what RuleID caused the problem, you are dead in the water -- you need to look at the rule name and description and then manually go to the rule configuration page and search through the list to find the right one.  It would be so much nicer if you could right click on the rule in the analyzer project and be able to open the "Configure available rules" window.

1 Kudos
warren_scott

automatically add TS analyzer messages to ignore list

Status: New Submitted by Active Participant on 02-06-2015 01:03 PM 1 Comment

When developing custom TS sequence analyzer methods, it would be beneficial to be able to control how the message gets reported.  Specifically sometimes I would like to automatically add the message into the "ignored" list. 

Reasoning -- I have determined that there is a problem with the code, but based on other stuff I think the user really intended and needs the code written this way, so I still want to flag that I found it, but have it in the ignores list so that the user won't by default see the reported message, but if they go to the ignored list they can see it.

 

Example: If I were doing the #NoValidation directive from scratch, I would have written the rule such that if the "expression validates correctly" rule would check the expression validity regardless of any #NoValidation directives.  Then it would report the message (assuming it has a validation error).  If the expression contained #NoValidation it would be automatically put into the "ignore" list.  This way we have the ability to see that the expression did not validate properly, but recognize that the user has included a flag in their code to specify "this is OK and I want to ignore it" so it goes into the ignored list. -- All done automatically by the analyzer code module without the user having to manually click on the ignore menu item in the Analysis Results window.

 

0 Kudos
RJRagan

TPS (eg: DLL functions) Function / Method search / report quantification tool

Status: New Submitted by Member on 01-29-2015 03:15 PM Comment

Need a search option for searching for TPS like DLLs and providing the Function names of each call.  Also providing a count of each time a function / method is or is not called within a set of sequence files.

 

1 Kudos
Tonnie

Quick switch between the release and debug dll

Status: Declined Submitted by Member on 11-07-2014 09:07 AM 1 Comment

We work with Teststand and Visual Studio 2012.

We would like to have an option to switch between the use of the debug dll or the release dll.

Now we have to change this step by step and that's a lot of work.

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1 Kudos
RyanWright

TestStand - End Modal Dialog.vi should execute even if an error occurred before it runs

Status: Completed Submitted by Member on 05-16-2014 12:50 PM 2 Comment

The behavior of the TestStand - End Modal Dialog.vi should be changed.  The current behavior is for it to not execute if an error occurred before it runs.  Instead, it should always execute, even if an error occurred before it runs.  With the current behavior, if an error gets passed to the VI, it can cause TestStand to hang.  In general, close or end functions and VIs should always execute even if an error occurred before they run because unintended consequences such as errors, crashes, or hangs can happen if they don't execute.  Yes, you can use the Clear Errors.vi before the TestStand - End Modal Dialog.vi and Merge Errors function to work around this behavior, but it would eliminate the need to do this if the behavior of the VI were changed.

1 Kudos
MimiKLM

Feature request: statistical information when looping the step

Status: Declined Submitted by Active Participant on 05-08-2014 12:24 AM 1 Comment
In every TS step we have the looping feature. I find it very elegant feature which allows us to save implementing full loops for singular steps.
 
I wonder if some statistical information to the looping feature can be added to the looping feature.
 
We could image that there is a step with the i.e. LV module which is responsible for acquiring one sample of data. Let say the sampled signal is noisy. It would be fantastic if we can use this singular step which acquire singular sample and the looping feature of the TS step to get multiple samples and to have a statistic the samples taken. The statistic could be:
--averaging
--mediana
--standard deviation
--etc...
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0 Kudos
MimiKLM

Debugging the sequences. Watch window value access indicator.

Status: Declined Submitted by Active Participant on 04-28-2014 05:30 AM 1 Comment

Hi,

 

Now, when we watch the variables live during execution we can see the value oft he variable gets red if the value of this variable changes.

 

It would be good if we can see the variable value going for example blue in moment when is accessed (read).

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10 Kudos
Elaine_R.

Improve Sequence Analyzer CommandLine to allow for automatic report generation

Status: Completed Submitted by Active Participant on 04-18-2014 07:13 AM 3 Comment

Right now it appears the sequence analyzer has no really effective automation options?

 

I can use the command line to launch the Sequence Analyzer, but I really want to run this puppy headlessly against a codebase every 24 hours similar to how VI Analyzer works.  Ideally, yes, I'd love a full API, but for the short term, would it be possible to expand the command line?

 

what we have currently is:

AnalyzerApp.exe "C:\My Documents\MyProject.tsaproj"  to get the window open with the right project in it.

what would be seriously helpful would be to add: some sort of "-Run -Report "C:\Reports\MyProjectReport.xml""  additional tags?

 

In general I'd love for the tool to (1) launch, (2) run project, (3) save off file, and (4) close without further nagging on the part of a user.

 

 Extra kudos would be given if it could generate a standard-out message with some quick stats, if someone was feeling really gung-ho. Perhaps a # of rules, run and # of errors & warnings found?  I can just as easily rake the xml output, so these aren't required, but I am in dire need of a way to automatically _get_ that xml output.

 

If the tool already does these tasks than please feel free to say so?  I've combed the help in the versions I have installed, and so far have come up with nothing. I'm currently shopping around for a thin ui-robot to get the job done...

 

7 Kudos
Pete.Dunc

TestStand Taskbar Jump List

Status: New Submitted by Active Participant on 04-18-2014 05:50 AM 1 Comment

It would be very handy to have a jump list of recent/pinned files for TestStand.  This could also include simple tasks like creating a new sequence file.

 

Current:

 

Current TS.png

 

Proposed:

 

Proposed TS.png

0 Kudos
Pete_Cooper@Genie_Industries

Provide capability to create a custom step type dash board in TestStand.

Status: Already Implemented Submitted by Member on 04-01-2014 02:15 PM 1 Comment

I would like the capability to be able to create my own customized dash board for my own custom step type.  For example,  I would like to create controls (Radio Buttons, Text Boxes, Tabs) on a form that looks similar to the "Call Executable" Step Type. (See Picture 1 attachment). In the default matter, I realize that TestStand allows only 1 button to be inserted on the Custom Step Type Settings Palette for a custom step type. Sure I can create my own custom GUI that allows the sequence file developer to enter the appropriate data in for the custom step type.

 

 

 

 

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8 Kudos
fazekasc

Create a way to use the find/replace tool to select actual steps in the TestStand sequence editor instead of just listing matching text values in the find window

Status: New Submitted by Member on 02-10-2014 02:00 PM 5 Comment
TestStand already has an awesome tool to change multiple steps at one time, but you have to select all of those steps first by clicking on them with the mouse and using the shift and ctrl click methods.  This works fine for a few steps here and there, but when you have 1000 steps you need to select that are scattered among 1500 other steps, it turns into a two day project.
 
I'd like to see something else that's different than the find/replace window that gives you the option to select and highlight the steps you just searched for in the sequence editor.  It could be a checkbox in the find/replace tool window that gives you the option to either search for the text and display the text matches in that window, or to select the actual steps in TestStand.
 
I just had this problem, and ended up creating some ActiveX code to automatically blast through my sequence and change hundreds of NumericLimitTest step types to Action step types.  That example code was attached to that thread.
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3 Kudos
TestNinja

Copy and Paste from other programs into Arrays

Status: New Submitted by Member on 01-21-2014 09:07 AM Comment

I find myself creating arrays alot and I usually have the array already made in excel or note pad or another type of file in which the list might be around 20 or more entries.  Now in the past I've come up with a simple way to import the arrayed data from a file, but however i don't believe everyone is doing this and generally I don't need the file in which gets imported (usually a simpler version of the master).  So i suggest could we add the support to copy from excel or from notepad and paste special into an array.

 

TS_Paste.png

 

 

 Conclusion:

This idea might not be the best, fastest, or easiest way to import arrays from other programs, but the idea would be to find an easy way to import arrays.

 

Thanks,

 

0 Kudos
FRoloff

Parameter Array

Status: New Submitted by Member on 01-15-2014 05:44 AM 1 Comment

If you add an array as a parameter to a sequence, you have the option of setting the array bounds. If you set the array bound to [1..3] for example and call this sequence and try to access the array element [3] there is an array out of bounds error. It looks like arrays as parameters with the size N are always seen as an array with the bounds [0..N-1]. Maybe it makes sense to change this to the expected behavior!

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15 Kudos
Elaine_R.

Date() / time() functions could allow for different desired formats as a parameter rather than returning N local variables

Status: New Submitted by Active Participant on 11-21-2013 08:35 AM 1 Comment

currently the behavior of the date function is (1) get a short ("MM/DD/YYYY") or long form date string ("Weekday, Month D, YYYY")with nice easy boolean input, (2) pass it N local variables to get all the discrete parts and assemble it myself with a bit of STR() and concatenation.

 

could we create a permutation on this date() function, (does one already exist) so that I can just pass it a %<> syntax string and have it format the current date to my desired format?

 

specifically, I'm looking for a non painful way of building a "YYYY-MM-DD" style string for a report (or even just DD/MM/YYY) without having to lug around 8 locals and a lengthly expression, or call into a LV VI. 

 

We have basic string format symbols available for the STR and VAL functions, why not for date? if anything passing this 1 parameter might save alot of folks creating a bunch of locals because they can just ask for the time item they want directly, and then VAL() the output text to get the numeric data if they need it?

 

it'd be awesome if the function supported standard DB format tags such as (http://www.w3schools.com/sql/func_date_format.asp) or failing that, was consistent with what LabVIEW's time format strings were.

 

Just a thought. Has anyone worked around this in a reasonable way?

 

--Elaine R.

5 Kudos
RyanWright

Add basic file I/O functions to TestStand

Status: Completed Submitted by Member on 11-14-2013 10:47 AM 3 Comment

It would be nice if TestStand provided basic file I/O functions (open, close, read, write) to complement the other functions already available.

9 Kudos
Hejc_Tomas

Add HTML capability to Requirements Gateway

Status: New Submitted by Member on 10-29-2013 03:03 AM Comment

I’m trying to work with the tool Requirement Gateway. I started with some examples which are contained in install packet of this tool. I need to connect Gateway with HTML document and manage coverage with another HTML document. I managed to get from HTML document load the list of requirements to Gateway tool. If I tried to open the particular requirement from Gateway than the HTML document was opened on first page always. I can’t set the Gateway for opening the HTML document on particular place, when is described requirement.

 

My point of view is make some modification for better connection Gateway tool with internet browser.

0 Kudos
MimiKLM

New feature request: every possible flow report

Status: Declined Submitted by Active Participant on 08-14-2013 09:51 AM 1 Comment

Hi,

 

It would be good if the documentation tool would have option/report like described below.

 

After triggering this option user would received the report about every possible flow of the main sequence along with the list of the variables which drive the flow.

 

Value added by this feature:
1. full view about how many flows the sequence is able to be executed,
2. what variables are involved in the flow of the main sequence,
3. general overview about what and when subsequences and steps are executed,
4. where the flows is splited up and merged back.

 

This functionality would be great for sanity analysis and overall picture of the possible executions.

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4 Kudos
Ray.R

Improve TestStand version selector

Status: Under Consideration Submitted by Knight of NI Knight of NI on 07-25-2013 03:04 PM 4 Comment

There are many reasons why TestStand is not my language of choice....  I will start with this one...  The TestStand Version Selector needs improvements.

 

If the users are to base the reliability on the interface, then the TVS needs to be much more reliable.  When switching from one version to another, the version selector hangs more often than being able to accompish its task.  The TVS just sits there pretending to do something...  well... it probably was doing something, decided it was lost and then decided to sit and watch the CPU clock cycles go by...

 

I usually kill the task and try again... By the 3rd attempt, it will somehow manage to switch versions.  These attempts give me enough time to write this idea.. After killing the application, I always get the "Unable to determine the current TestStand version" message.  This is usually a good sign as the next attempt will probably be a lucky one.

 

 

I decided to search the forum to see if others had issues with TVS, and of course, I was not alone.  Se the links below:

 

http://forums.ni.com/t5/NI-TestStand/Operation-failed-popup-when-using-TestStand-Version-Selector/m-p/2354516/highlight/true#M40275

Josh W is not a novice at TestStand...

 

http://forums.ni.com/t5/NI-TestStand/Problem-launching-TestStand-2012/m-p/2401666/highlight/true#M40716

 

http://forums.ni.com/t5/NI-TestStand/Microsoft-Visual-C-run-time-error/m-p/860288/highlight/true#M23219

Just how long is being patient?  I have waited more than an hour (during lunch) and it still does not swap versions...

 

I do realize that most issues are related to microsoft visual studio or visual C++, but TSV needs to tell us what is going on or why it is not able to switch version.  After all, once it finally changes versions, TestStand is fine.  No changes to the PC or any software installation.  So the issue clearly points to TVS.

 

When you improve the TestStand Version Selector, can you also improve the time it takes to change versions?  I realize it's too late to improve the architecture of the language where different version could co-habitate together, like LabVIEW, but at least make it a bit faster.. 

 

Now that it has selected the approrpiate version, I shall stop my rant... I mean idea and get back to work.

 

Hopefully all the people who share the same concern will kudo this idea.. 

 

🙂

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4 Kudos
warren_scott

Easier to analyze items that are not sequence files

Status: New Submitted by Active Participant on 07-19-2013 11:15 AM Comment

Imagine the scenario where you have some custom types files and you want to validate those types are in good shape.  So you want to run the TestStand "Sequence" Analyzer utlity on them.

To do this, I need to create an arbitrary analyzer project, make sure it is configured to analyze the type palettes, and then run that analyzer project. 

 

If I were doing a 1-off sequence file, I can just open the sequence file and click the Start Analysis button (don't need to create an analyzer project if I just want to accept all the normal defaults).  However, if I open the types palette I can't select the types file I am interested in and just hit the Start Analysis button (it's disabled). 

 

I'd love to be able to have the "start Analysis" button enabled and work if I am in the types palette, and have it just analyze the types file I have selected.  Or analyze StationGlobals if I am in the station globals window.  Or users configuration if I am in the user manager.