Hi Mark

Integration is a pretty broad term, and there are many levels. Some
amount can be done off target. But the ultimate, and maybe
unattainable in some situations, is a fully automated end to end test
suite. Depending on the application, that could result in
considerable external instrumentation.

I look at it in these 6 stages of incorporating of TDD and CI.

Here is the CI approach I recommend (CI really begins in step 1):
0) Do TDD in host for the most rapid feedback and defect prevention.
1) Build and run in the host environment on checkin, check results
2) Compile unit test build for target or eval board
3) Push the UT build to the target and check results
- in constrained memory situations you might need to chunk the tests
4) Run ATs (maybe in host too) in target (Acceptance tests at the sub-
system and system level like you mentioned)
5) Run manual tests


Some of these are going to be quite challenging. But that should not
discourage getting this started. Software only integration can often
be done off-target, at least some can be. When a team begins they can
probably only practically do #0 and #5, or maybe #2 and #5. I know
companies doing #0 and #5 and very happy with the improvement and the
track they are on.

The goal of this is to get warning of problems. I'd rather find a
problem before it becomes a bug/defect. I'd rather track down the
problems I can outside the target, so that when we get to the target
the problems we could get ride of are gone from the code.

James

----------------------
James Grenning
james@...
www.renaissancesoftware.net
www.renaissancesoftware.net/blog
www.twitter.com/jwgrenning




On Jun 13, 2009, at 9:12 AM, marktxx wrote:

>
>
> --- In AgileEmbedded@yahoogroups.com, "davekelloggs"
> <dave.kellogg@...> wrote:
> >
> > I'm working toward compiling my embedded code on a continuous
> integration server. Any suggestions (for or against) using GCC vs
> Microsoft Visual C as the compiler in that environment?
> >
> > The target is a 16-bit Freescale part, using CodeWarrior.
>
> As mentioned in other posts as well, IMHO real integration can only
> be run on the target or with a target simulation. In the embedded
> world, running the suite of unit tests on the host is not
> "integration" but is an extremely important step in becoming agile.
> Therefore for true integration you need to start developing your
> system or sub-system level tests.
>
> Any other opinions?
>
>
>



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