Testing Solutions For All Phases of Testing
VectorCAST
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Vector Software Quality
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Unit Testing
- VectorCAST
The VectorCAST software testing platform is a family of products that automates testing activities throughout the software development lifecycle.
It provides testing solutions for all phases of testing, from low-level software testing to full system testing.
Testing can be performed natively on a PC or on target hardware, at all levels.
This dynamic test solution is widely used in the avionics, medical device, automotive, industrial controls, railway and financial industries.
Benefits
Works with your existing software development tools
Allows you to test more frequently
Full support in the development process from unit test to system integration
Reliably measures all industry-relevant coverage metrics
VectorCAST/C++
Unit and Integration Test for C/C++
- Integrated software test solution
- Significantly reduces the time, effort, and cost associated with testing C/C++ software components
- Necessary for validating safety and mission-critical embedded systems
VectorCAST/Ada
Ada Unit and Integration Testing
- Dynamic software test solution
- Automates Ada unit and integration testing
- Necessary for validating safety- and mission-critical embedded systems
VectorCAST/QA
System Test Automation/Code Coverage
- Enables teams to implement consistent and repeatable processes
- Test automation simplifies test execution
- Compatible with all test execution frameworks
- Provides an integrated workflow for white-box system testing
- Application internals can be monitored
Unit testing helps to increase software quality, minimize errors and improve maintainability. It is an indispensable part of the development process for embedded systems.
License Options
We understand that every organization has unique requirements when it comes to licensing our software.
That's why we offer two flexible license options to cater to your specific needs.
Desktop Edition
For Individual Developers and Testing Engineers
The Desktop Edition comes with our feature-rich graphical user interface and is intended for interactive and explorative use cases. This Edition is the right choice for test development.
Server Edition
For Automation Servers
The Server Edition is optimized for the use in Continuous Integration and Testing environments and focuses on the parallel execution of tests in CI environments without blocking test development. This Edition is the ideal addition for teams who want to run their tests regularly and automatically.
Coded Tests
Get the simplicity and flexibility of a modern xUnit-based test environment paired with the reliability and technical capabilities of an established unit testing platform.
Write your test cases in C++ using a syntax based on gtest
Execute your existing google tests without modifications either in a host environment or directly on the target
Link your test files and test cases to requirements
Reliably measure the structural coverage of your source code achieved by your tests
Key Characteristics
| Characteristic | VectorCAST/C++ Coded Tests (vUnit) |
|---|---|
| Integration | No modifications to the code-under-test required. VectorCAST generates the test drivers, so no build system modifications are needed. |
| Function Range | (Non-fatal) checks and (fatal) assertions, exception assertions, access dynamically generated stubs, integrated coverage measurement, requirements traceability. Test run results and metadata aggregation across environments. Data accessible via python API and reporting. Interactive visualization through GUI views. |
| Dependencies | Requires a working VectorCAST Installation. Integrates into VectorCAST Test Environments. |
| Flexibility | All the flexibility of other xUnit based test environments like gtest, and adds VectorCAST features such as using graphical VectorCAST Test Editor and the VectorCAST Test Scripting Language to create tests without writing code. |
| Reusability | Tests can be reused to increase test coverage and reduce development time. Basic setup/teardown fixture. Support for target vs simulator test runs. |
| Extensibility | Extensible through VectorCAST, including Visual Studio Code Extensions, Jenkins Plugins, etc. |
| Parallelization | Support parallel testing |
Read more about the highlights of our newest VectorCAST Release in our VectorCAST/C++ Fact Sheet for 2025.
Learn More in Our Whitepapers
In addition to the latest software versions and fact sheets, you will find many white papers with valuable tips, useful insights and explanations on how you can improve your testing processes in our Downloads section. Some selected topics:
How VectorCAST Allows Testing Like Google
Bugs that resulted from incomplete testing had become one of the biggest barriers to Google’s continued success. They found that the solution for this problem was to create a well-defined team approach with continuous integration and testing, where hyper incremental builds and testing are the norm and the primary responsibility for quality rests with the developers. Learn how our testing solution enables you to test like Google.
Change Based Testing for Efficient Embedded Software Development
A major cause of software bugs is inefficient and incomplete testing. Learn how our solution can be used to improve testing efficiency.
Baseline Testing The Key to Reducing Technical Debt in Legacy Code Bases
Many of today's software applications contain legacy code. A lack of quality control and other omissions over the years have meant that in many cases this legacy code contains an enormous amount of technical debt. The key to reducing this technical debt lies in refactoring. However, many developers are very reluctant to do this, as the implemented functionality is insufficiently covered by tests. Learn how Baseline Testing can become your key to reducing technical debt.
How to Evaluate Embedded Software Test Tools
Wikipedia lists over 100 test framework tools for C/C++ alone. Unfortunately for potential users, when viewing product literature, or simplistic demos, many of these test tools look very much alike. Learn what data is really relevant when looking for tools to automate dynamic testing.
Requirements Gateway
Our Requirements Gateway makes it easy for you to import all relevant requirements into your VectorCAST test environment and link them to tests. Likewise, it is possible to transfer the achieved test results into the requirements management tool.
Requirements Gateway (RGW) connects to Requirements Databases to import software requirements, link requirements to test cases and to export test results back to the Requirements Database. Through a simple and intuitive interface, you can quickly and easily establish a connection to a Requirements Database.
We offer an integration with other databases through a plug-in framework, allowing for expandability. After connecting with the Requirements Database, you can import selected requirements into the VectorCast. These requirements can then be associated with specific test cases. Post-test execution, coverage metrics are available for review, aiding in requirements analysis. Test outcomes can be sent back to the Requirements Database, and you can decide which attribute from VectorCast, like Test Environment Name or Test Result, are exported back to the requirements database.
Advantages
Connect to your existing Requirements Database
Traceability of Requirements to Test Cases
Easily identify changed or updated requirements
Select test results and data to export to your Requirements Database
View VectorCAST test execution data in your Requirements Database
Code Coverage
We cover different coverage types, to ensure comprehensive testing and enhance your software's robustness and reliability, including statement coverage, branch coverage, and MC/DC.
Our Unit and Integration Testing Solutions VectorCAST/C++ and VectorCAST/Ada not only deliver reliable test results. They also deliver the corresponding code coverage in the same run. In addition to the details of the coverage achieved, it is also possible to identify the test cases that contributed to the coverage. Conversely, it is possible to identify the test cases that should be executed again in the event of a code change.
With VectorCAST/QA you can instrument your source code for coverage measurement during your build process. You can then use the instrumented executable prepared in this way in your usual test environment and afterwards receive the coverage achieved during execution. This approach can be integrated into the development and continuous integration workflows, delivering white-box coverage for your black-box tests.
Covered-by-Analysis
With Code Coverage By Analysis (CBA) you can designate specific code sections as covered by analysis. This feature assists you especially in safety-critical sectors, to supplement coverage achieved through testing with coverage analysis, aiming to meet the 100% code coverage standard.
It will highlight all the areas of code that are not covered by test and allows developers to provide justification analysis for these sections.
It also provides an intuitive editor which allows to add analysis for statements, branch outcomes, or MC/DC pairs depending on the coverage level.
Overview of Benefits
Intuitive editor facilitates the documentation of coverage analysis for statements, branch outcomes, or MC/DC pairs
Annotated listings and metrics reports offer a combined perspective of measured and by-analysis coverage data
Unified repository for all coverage metrics streamlines reporting
Analysis data remains consistent even as the code undergoes changes
Import or export functions ensure that analysis can be shared among distributed teams and utilized throughout application's lifespan
VectorCAST Test Explorer
VectorCAST Test Explorer is an open-source extension for Visual Studio Code that allows you to create, edit, execute, and debug VectorCAST/C++ test cases from within VS Code.
Advantages
Create test environments directly from the Project Explorer view
Create, edit, execute, and debug tests, from the Test Explorer view
IntelliSense editing of test scripts
Built-in launch configuration for debugging tests
Source editors display VectorCAST code coverage
Downloads
If you haven't found what you're looking for, or if you want to get an overview yourself, explore our Download Section.
We provide a wide range of documents such as informative white papers, detailed technical guides and more.
Connect with Our Experts
Whether you're seeking advice, looking for solutions, or just curious about our services, we're here to help.
Our team of experienced developers is here to provide the support, and technical expertise you need. Contact us to schedule your consultation and start your journey with us.
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