Self-testing graphical component algorithm specification

An apparatus comprising:

• a memory;
• a display;
• and
• processing logic coupled to the memory and the display
• wherein the processing logic is programmed to:
• store, in the memory, an executable design model, the design model including an external interface, the external interface of the design model including:
• first graphical objects for receiving input data into the design model, during execution of the design model;
• and
• second graphical objects for providing output data computed by the design model, during the execution of the design model, wherein the design model, during the execution, implements first functionality that simulates operation of a system;
• assign an executable test model to the design model, the test model having a test model interface;
• execute the test model, wherein the executing the test model includes:
• providing input test data to the first graphical objects of the design model;
• and
• receiving output test data from the second graphical objects of the design model, and further wherein the test model, during the executing the test model, implements second functionality including testing at least part of the design model, and the second functionality implemented by the test model differs from the first functionality implemented by the design model;
• present the test model on the display;
• construct an interface specification, the interface specification identifying a mapping between the test model interface and the first graphical object of the design model or between the test model interface and the second graphical objects of the design model;
• detect a modification to
• the test model interface, or
• the external interface of the design model;
• if the modification is to the test model interface, automatically modify the external interface of the design model to conform to the modification to the test model interface, based on the mapping in the interface specification;
• and
• if the modification is to the external interface of the design model, automatically modify the test model interface to conform to the modification to the external interface of the design model, based on the mapping in the interface specification,
• maintaining consistency among the test model interface and the external interface of the design model.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions, the program instructions when executed by a processing element operable to:

• store, in a memory, an executable design model, the design model including an external interface, the external interface of the design model including:
• first graphical objects for receiving input data into the design model, during execution of the design model;
• and
• second graphical objects for providing output data computed by the design model, during the execution of the design model, wherein the design model, during the execution, implements first functionality that simulates operation of a system;
• assign an executable test model to the design model, the test model having a test model interface;
• execute the test model, wherein the executing the test model includes:
• providing input test data to the first graphical objects of the design model;
• and
• receiving output test data from the second graphical objects of the design model, and further wherein the test model, during the executing the test model, implements second functionality including testing at least part of the design model, and the second functionality implemented by the test model differs from the first functionality implemented by the design model;
• construct an interface specification that
• stores the external interface of the design model, and
• provides a mapping between the first graphical objects of the design model and the test model interface and the second graphical objects of the design model and the test model interface;
• detect a modification to the interface specification;
• and
• automatically update the external interface of the design model and test model interface in response to the modification to conform to the modification to the interface specification, maintaining consistency among the test model and the design model.

A method comprising:

• storing, in a memory, an executable design model including an external interface, the external interface of the design model including:
• first graphical objects for receiving input data into the design model, during execution of the design model;
• and
• second graphical objects for providing output data computed by the design model, during the execution of the design model,
• the design model pointing to a given interface as the external interface for the design model, wherein the design model, during the execution, implements first functionality that simulates operation of a system;
• associating, with the design model, an executable test model having an interface, the test model pointing to the given interface as the interface for the test model;
• executing the test model, wherein the executing the test model includes:
• providing input test data to the first graphical objects of the design model;
• and
• receiving output test data from the second graphical objects of the design model, and further wherein the test model, during the executing the test model, implements second functionality including testing at least part of the design model, and the second functionality implemented by the test model differs from the first functionality implemented by the design model;
• constructing, by a processor, an interface specification, the interface specification identifying a mapping between the interface of the test model and the first graphical objects of the design model and between the interface of the test model and the second graphical objects of the design model;
• in response to detecting, by the processor, a modification to the external interface of the design model or the interface of the test model, modifying, by the processor, the given interface, based on the mapping in the interface specification, maintaining consistency among the interface of the test model and the external interface of the design model;
• and
• storing the given interface, the design model, and the test model in a single storage container.

A method comprising:

• storing, in a memory, an executable design model, the design model including an external interface, the external interface of the design model including:
• first graphical objects for receiving input data into the design model, during execution of the design model;
• and
• second graphical objects for providing output data computed by the design model, during the execution of the design model, wherein the design model, during the execution, implements first functionality that simulates operation of a system;
• storing a definition of the external interface independently from the design model;
• associating, by a processor coupled to the memory, an executable test model with the design model, the test model including the same, independently stored external interface as the design model to maintain consistency;
• executing the test model, the test model communicating with the design model during the executing the test model, wherein the communicating includes:
• providing input test data to the first graphical objects of the design model;
• and
• receiving output test data from the second graphical objects of the design model, and further wherein the test model, during the executing the test model, implements second functionality including testing at least part of the design model, and the second functionality implemented by the test model differs from the first functionality implemented by the design model;
• and
• storing the external interface, the design model, and the test model in a single storage container.

A method comprising:

• creating a single interface;
• assigning, by a processor, the single interface as an external interface to an executable design model, the external interface to the design model including:
• first graphical objects for receiving input data into the design model, during execution of the design model;
• and
• second graphical objects for providing output data computed by the design model, during the execution of the design model, wherein the design model, during the execution, implements first functionality that simulates operation of a system;
• assigning, by the processor, the single interface as an interface to an executable test model associated with the design model to maintain consistency;
• executing the test model, the test model communicating with the design model during the executing the test model, wherein the communicating includes:
• providing input test data to the first graphical objects of the design model;
• and
• receiving output test data from the second graphical objects of the design model, and further wherein the test model, during the executing the test model, implements second functionality including testing at least part of the design model, and the second functionality implemented by the test model differs from the first functionality implemented by the design model;
• and
• storing in a memory coupled to the processor, the single interface, the design model, and the test model in a single storage container.