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FEATURE EDA


THE CODE OF PRACTICE: A tool for C/C++


leading EDG (Edison Design Group) C/C++ parser, enabling the platform to automatically test to achieve 100 percent coverage on a much wider range of embedded target code, including support of non-standard language features. The tool is fully integrated with a wide range of commonly used cross-compiler IDEs, including Wind River Workbench, Code Composer Studio, QNX Momentics, Keil μVision and many others. It now extends that range with latest


version support for these IDEs, and simplifies tool set-up for specific simulators and processors using these IDE integrations. A suite of in-built pre- configured target libraries reduces deployment within these environments to just a few mouse-clicks.


In a Q&A session with software quality company, Q&A Systems, we explore the benefits of the company’s Cantata software - a unit testing tool for C/C++ and how this fits the design space


W hat is Cantata?


The Cantata user interface is a complete test development environment for creating, execution and analysis of unit and integration tests. It easily integrates with the developer desktop, compilers and embedded target platforms.


What benefits does the platform offer? The platform provides advanced high productivity techniques, allowing developers to prove their code in a cost effective manner with intelligent unit and integration testing. Embedded software failures can impose


huge recall costs and broader reputational damage to a device developer. Cantata, reduces the risk of such occurrences. Ultimately, Cantata helps users to meet the challenges of testing by providing: • Simple setup and installation • Easy tool integration with existing build systems


• Automated test generation for new or legacy code


• Call interface control to simulate and intercept calls


• Flexible test harness for black-box, white-box and object oriented testing, with UI and code level test editing


• Comprehensive code coverage and Powerful diagnostics


18 MARCH 2014 | ELECTRONICS


• Free of charge tool certification/qualification for all major industry standards


How does it improve software design and development? Cantata encourages thinking about testing at the design stage and as such, decisions can be made for how the code will actually be tested early on. Knowing how the testing will be conducted establishes a process for software designers to follow and, by extension, the design becomes more structured, thus making testing easier, faster and more efficient. The tool improves the software development process because it enables testing of code earlier, so bugs are discovered sooner. This means that bugs can be fixed and re-tested earlier on in the software lifecycle, thus minimising the chance of costly changes later on.


Following the tools recent upgrade, what changes have been made? The AutoTest feature now uses the


What key industry issues and trends does it responds to? In many market sectors, the device and its software are subjected to industry specific standards that mandate thorough testing. The main safety related standards include those for Functional Safety [IEC 61508], Road Vehicles [ISO 26262], Railways [EN 50128], Medical Devices [IEC 62304], Nuclear Power Plants [IEC 60880], Civil Avionics [RTCA DO-178], and various national Space and Military regulations. Increasing need for standards compliance


in industries such as Passenger Road Vehicles and Medical Devices, where standards require thorough unit and integration level testing, places an extra demand for testing tools which make compliance practical and efficient.


What about certification? Standards compliance can be costly and


“ Knowing how the testing will be


conducted establishes a process for software


designers to follow and, by extension, the design becomes more structured...."


time-consuming. As a means of easing the customer’s path to certification, Cantata has been certified by SGS-TÜV Saar GmbH, an independent third party certification body for functional safety, as “usable in development of safety related software”, up to the


highest safety integrity levels. In addition to this, it also comes with a free tool certification kit.


Q&A Systems  www.qa-systems.com (0)1225 321 888


Enter 205 / ELECTRONICS


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