Method of converting high-level test specification language to low-level test implementation language

An apparatus comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a computer program code stored in memory that, when executed by the processor, performs a method comprising:
• recording first test code defined in a high-level test specification language, wherein the first test code comprises a set of high-level instructions;
• analyzing the first test code, wherein analyzing the first test code includes simulating a test of a target by a test module with the first test code, determining for each high-level instruction, whether the high-level instruction is a serial instruction or a parallel instruction, and performing different estimates of time taken during testing to perform the high-level instruction in dependence upon said determination, wherein the performing different estimates of the time comprises estimating for each high-level instruction of the first test code defined in the high-level test specification language an upload time, an execution time, and a download time, the upload time being a time taken to upload data at the test module to perform a low-level instruction in the low-level test implementation language corresponding to the high-level instruction, the execution time being a time taken to execute the low-level instruction in the low-level test implementation language that corresponds to the high-level instruction, and the download time being a time taken to transfer data after execution of the low-level instruction in the low-level test implementation language that corresponds to the high-level instruction;
• converting the first test code to second test code defined in a low-level test implementation language;
• testing of the target by the test module using the second test code, wherein the performing different estimates operation is performed prior to the converting operation to determine an estimate of time taken to execute the portions of the second test code that are associated with corresponding portions of the first test code during the testing operation;
• adding third test code defined in the low-level test implementation language to the second test code in response to testing of the target using the second test code;
• and
• incorporating the third test code into the first test code.

A tangible, non-transitory data carrier stored with computer program that, when run on a computer, performs a method comprising:

• recording first test code defined in a high-level test specification language, wherein the first test code comprises a set of high-level instructions;
• analyzing the first test code, wherein in analyzing the first test code, the method further comprises:
• simulating a test of a target by a test module with the first test code;
• for each high-level instruction, determining whether the high-level instruction is a serial instruction or a parallel instruction;
• and
• performing different estimates of time taken during testing to perform the high-level instruction in dependence upon said determination, wherein the performing different estimates of the time comprises estimating for each high-level instruction of the first test code defined in the high-level test specification language an upload time, an execution time, and a download time, the upload time being a time taken to upload data at the test module to perform a low-level instruction in the low-level test implementation language corresponding to the high-level instruction, the execution time being a time taken to execute the low-level instruction in the low-level test implementation language that corresponds to the high-level instruction, and the download time being a time taken to transfer data after execution of the low-level instruction in the low-level test implementation language that corresponds to the high-level instruction;
• converting the first test code to second test code defined in a low-level test implementation language;
• testing of the target by the test module using the second test code, wherein the performing different estimates operation is performed prior to the converting operation to determine an estimate of time taken to execute the portions of the second test code that are associated with corresponding portions of the first test code during the testing operation;
• adding third test code defined in the low-level test implementation language to the second test code in response to testing of the target using the second test code;
• and
• incorporating the third test code into the first test code.