Continuous Testing for Embedded Software Processes: Bridging the Gap Between CI/CD and Complex Ecosystems

Authors

N. Wiechowski, B. Loup - Mindmotiv GmbH

Summary

Applying CI/CD to embedded software processes presents unique challenges, such as hardware testing, restricted data access associated to diverse roles of a project, or integration of cloud services, which traditional solutions struggle to address. This paper proposes a comprehensive framework that addresses these challenges in three key aspects: data aggregation, environment management, and extension points. In embedded software projects, a multitude of data sources come into play, encompassing everything from final test data to intermediate artifacts. To ensure that both tools and human stakeholders have access to the vital data required to execute their specific tasks, we introduce a resilient mechanism for consolidating data from a variety of sources and seamlessly transmitting it to designated systems. Also, we emphasize the significance of considering the specific capabilities of each execution environment by employing a property-driven approach to manage automated tests and related processes.
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