Code Coverage and Test Automation

VectorCAST/QA enables teams to implement consistent and repeatable processes for managing test activities and reporting key quality metrics such as code coverage. Test automation scripts simplify test execution. It is compatible with all compilers and testing frameworks. VectorCAST/QA also provides an integrated workflow for white-box system testing. Application internals can be monitored, and faults injected into the source code using Probe Points. VectorCAST/QA Change-Based Testing reduces total test time by only running test cases that are impacted by code changes.

VectorCAST/QA allows testers and developers to collaborate on test activities, shorten test times, and provide up to date metrics on release readiness. VectorCAST/QA integrates with your compiler, build system and existing test infrastructure to silently collect key metrics on your C and C++ code such as test case status, test coverage and code coverage data. VectorCAST/QA uses your existing workflow and tools so no changes to your build and test process are necessary.

Code coverage metrics collected on C code, C++ code and Ada code
Code coverage tool certified by TÜV SÜD for industrial, automotive, medical and railway applications
Tool Qualification Package for DO-178C software development
Easily configure source file instrumentation for different code coverage types including Statement coverage, Branch coverage, Condition coverage, MC/DC coverage, Function coverage and Function Call coverage
Uses the same compiler and build scripts you already use including Microsoft Visual Studio
Coverage testing can be performed on the host (Windows or Linux) or on an embedded target
Faster testing with Change-Based Testing (CBT)
White-box Testing with VectorCAST Probe Points
Command Line Interface (CLI) is integrated with a Jenkins plug-in to support continuous and parallel testing with command line scripts
Code coverage from system or application testing can be aggregated with code coverage from unit testing
Code coverage reports in html or text formats

VectorCAST/QA enables teams to implement consistent and repeatable processes for managing test activities and reporting key quality metrics.

Continuous Testing

VectorCAST/QA integrates easily with Continuous Integration (CI) Servers such as Jenkins to allow tests to be distributed across a farm of physical or virtual test machines.

Test Collaboration

VectorCAST/QA allows users to easily run all flavors of test without needing to learn new tools or processes. Connectors for each flavor of test are configured once and then leveraged by the entire team.

Integrated Code Coverage

VectorCAST/QA automates the capture and maintenance of code coverage data during testing, which allows users to quickly identify untested portions of the application and determine resources needed to improve testing thoroughness.

Change-Based Testing

Using the data gathered from the build system and from monitoring system test activities, VectorCAST/QA identifies correlations between tests and code. As the code changes, it automatically computes the minimum set of tests required to provide complete testing of the change.

Change Impact Analysis

Change Impact Analysis can be used to identify the impact of a set of source code changes on the quantity of testing required. This provides developers with the ability to make better decisions when implementing their changes.

Test Case Maintenance

Legacy test cases are often poorly documented and seldom evaluated for improvement as the application matures. VectorCAST/QA provides visibility into the parts of the application that each test stimulates, allowing you to gauge the value of each test and identify redundant tests.

VectorCAST/QA integrates with your build system and existing software testing infrastructure to silently collect key metrics such as source code complexity, frequency of code changes, test case status, and code coverage data. Coverage information for lines of code that have been covered are displayed in the code coverage reports. VectorCAST/QA provides development and QA engineers a single point of control for all test activities and generates code coverage results as well as a wealth of additional data that can be used to make quality improvement decisions. No changes to your existing workflow or tools, including compilers, are required. As your normal system and unit testing activities take place, a data repository of test coverage and other metrics is constructed that becomes an oracle to answer questions such as:

How much testing has been done?
What testing remains to be done?
Are we ready to release?
Where should I invest more testing effort?

Automated Code Coverage Tools Are Necessary

Code Coverage measures the completeness of test activities by analyzing the source code within an application executed by each test case in the test suite. This test coverage data identifies undertested sections of a code base and can be used in combination with other metrics such as code complexity and bug counts to guide quality improvement initiatives. Code coverage data can also be helpful when debugging applications.

Blog post: Convincing reasons to adopt code coverage tools

VectorCAST Services

The VectorCAST Services group helps your organization implement industry focused, best practice-based methodologies to improve software quality and productivity. What sets the VectorCAST Services group apart from other professional services groups is the expertise in complex testing environments and the focus on mentoring clients for self-sufficiency while helping them establish repeatable software development and testing processes.

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VectorCAST Workshops

Our workshops offer you many opportunities to expand or deepen your knowledge about VectorCAST.

Gain a basic understanding of Unit Testing and Code Coverage concepts and how the VectorCAST test automation platform can be used to implement those concepts.

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