.seq file generation from an external program

[SPM]

Hi, all,

Can someone tell me if it's possible to generate a .seq file from a program -- any kind of program -- outside of TestStand? We need this for automatic test generation.

Java preferred, but I'm willing to live with Intercal if I have to.  🙂

Thanks,

- Steve.

[Pacsoft]

Hi,

I downloaded the following code from the NI Website. I used the code as a guideline and it works. It is written in C#.

Regards

Pacsoft

[Doiron]

Hello Steve,

You can absolutely generate a sequence file from any program outside of TestStand.

First off, you have the method Pacsoft mentioned which uses the TestStand API to programmatically create a sequence file and all the the sequences and steps inside it that you might want. Since you can access the TestStand API from .NET or any language that supports ActiveX you have a wide variety of options with this method.

Second, you can simply build with any text editor. There is an option to set the sequence file to .ini format in the Sequence Editor. If you do so and then open that file with a text editor you will have the format. You can build this file (one of my customers used an excel spreadsheet and a scripting language to do this), save it with a .seq extension, and simply open it with TestStand.

Let me know if you have any further questions on either of these methods and have a wonderful day!

[SPM]

Hi, David,

We have to eventually generate from Java, so ActiveX may be a little clumsy for us. I'm optimistic about the .ini file solution, but I think I need more details about what format TestStand needs. Is this documented anywhere?

Best,

- Steve.

[Doiron]

Hello Steve,

Thinking more about it, XML is going to be a better choice for format if you would like to use the second method.

Again, feel free to ask any questions you might have about either method.

[Doiron]

Steve,

As far as documentation goes there is none for the .ini format, your only option is to look at sequence files saved in that format for a reference.

For XML, we have a schema that can be found at:

<local disk>\Program Files\National Instruments\TestStand 4.0\Components\NI\Schemas\Files

It is not available in 4.1 and I could not attach it due to the file extension. If you have TestStand 4.1 and not 4.0 let me know and I will put it on the FTP site.

[SPM]

David,

Could you please put the XML schema up for FTP? (But if you zip it and post it, it might work.)

Best,

- Steve.

Message Edited by SPM on 12-04-2008 02:03 PM

[James_Grey]

The TestStand file format is not trivial. Unless you are just making find/replace/cut/paste edits on an existing file, I'd strongly recommend using the API to create new files instead of INI or XML. Even if you are just making find/replace/cut/paste edits, the API is still probably the best option.

Using the API should prevent you from accidently creating an invalid file and it will save you a lot of work.

Message Edited by James Grey on 12-04-2008 02:18 PM

[SPM]

no can call api from java.

must use java.

-s.

[Doiron]

Hello Steve,

I have attached the zip file, I would like to reiterate what James Grey said though. Not to discourage you, just to prepare you for a process that will not be trivial.