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OpenTAP Version 9.29 Now Available

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OpenTAP 9.29 Engine

The developers and maintainers of the OpenTAP project are proud to announce the release of OpenTAP version 9.29. Highlights from this latest release of the OpenTAP engine include

Update from .NET Framework to .NET 9

The default runtime of OpenTAP and all KS8400 applications has been upgraded to use .NET 9. This upgrade brings performance improvements across the board, and gives plugins access to modern .NET APIs.

.NET 9 is mostly backwards compatible with earlier versions of the .NET Framework, with some exceptions. If you are a plugin author, please review the migration guide to see if your plugins are affected.

For developers of end-user applications, this is a breaking change that requires migrating to .NET9.

The OpenTAP API itself has not, however, introduced any breaking changes with this upgrade.

Enhanced Mixin functionality

OpenTAP now supports more use cases for ITestStepPreRunMixin and ITestStepPostRunMixin:

  • Mixin execution order can now be controlled by implementing the ITestStepPreRunMixinOrder and ITestStepPostRunMixinOrder interfaces

  • Mixins can now set the StepRun.Exception property, enabling features such as validating properties just before a step is run. When the Exception is set, the step will fail with an error verdict. If it occured in the PreRunMixin, the step will not be run when the exception is set.

  • Mixins can now set the StepRun.SuggestedNextStep property, enabling features such as a jump before or after a step is run. This can be combined with the new jump to arbitrary step feature.

Improved Hexadecimal Editing

The [Unit] attribute now handles hexadecimal specified in the string format:

[Unit("", StringFormat: "0x8")] // lower case x 
public uint X { get; set; } = 0x0123ABCD; // displayed as 0x0123abcd 
// or: 
[Unit("", StringFormat: "0X8")] // upper case x 
public uint Y { get; set; } = 0x0123ABCD; // displayed as 0x0123ABCD

With this, the UI will display the number in hexadecimal format.

In addition, Sweep Ranges now include the unit of the parameters being swept, allowing for more readable sweeps when working with binary data:

Tools for OpenTAP

Releases of the OpenTAP engine are accompanied by new releases of the OpenTAP test plan editors and other tools, as follows:

KS8400B - PathWave Test Automation

Linux Support

PathWave Test Automation KS8400B now runs on Linux (Ubuntu 22.04 or newer), unlocking cross-platform use of the Editor, Package Manager, Results Viewer and Timing Analyzer. Availability of KS8400B replaces Editor X as a cross-platform user interface for OpenTAP.

macOS Support

This release also offers a preview of KS8400B on macOS (Apple M-series silicon, macOS 12 or newer). Note that macOS hosting does not offer support and nor a formal installer. See OpenTAP documentation for installation instructions.

Community License

PathWave Test Automation can now be enabled with a Community License, fully functional and at no-cost (but without support & warranty from Keysight).

Community License Requirements

To use the Community License, you must

  • Activate the Community License when starting PathWave Test Automation

  • Link your OpenTAP Community user account

  • Have an active internet connection*

  • Opt in to telemetry**

*Internet - for stability, there is a grace period when the internet connection is down, allowing you to continue while offline.

**Telemetry includes basic system details, community account information, plugins used, test execution statistics, and configured DUTs/Instruments.4Free and Open Source Environments

Editor X

With version 9.29, the OpenTAP project will discontinue support for EditorX. Instead, community users can enjoy free access to Keysight PathWave Test Automation (KS8400B) under the Community License.

TUI

Character-graphics TUI will remain available and does work with OpenTAP version 9.29.

Release Notes

See additional updates and changes to OpenTAP 9.29 and tools in the Release Notes.