Announcing the TestStand 2019 Beta Program!

[RoxtheFox]

I am pleased to announce that we plan to release a beta version of TestStand 2019 in the latter half of January. Additions to TestStand’s features include:

• Adapter Support for Python – TestStand 2019 beta will offer native support for calling Python modules developed in Python 2.7 or 3.6. The familiar experience of TestStand Action, Pass/Fail, Numeric Limit, Multiple Numeric Limit, and String Value Test now supports Python code. The adapter support calls into module functions, getting/setting module attributes, creating class instances, calls into class member or static functions, and getting/setting class member or static attributes. Data is converted to each environment's native structures, such as mapping Python tuples to TestStand containers. You can also store and reuse Python objects in TestStand object reference variables. Python scripts will run outside the TestStand process, in a separate process that hosts the CPython interpreter. Use the advanced session management options to support running multiple instances of the interpreter to enable parallel testing with Python.
• Parametric Sweep and Stream Loop Step Types – The Stream Loop is an enhanced version of the For Each loop in the 2017 Data Streams feature.  The loop iterates over an input file and can additionally write to an output csv file each time it reaches the end step, no longer requiring the addition of a Write Record step. Similarly, the new Sweep Loop introduces the ability to specify parameters, and natively sweep over the parameters in TestStand.  
• Multicore Scaling Improvements – TestStand 2019 includes extensive optimizations for multicore processors. These improvements can significantly increase throughput for systems with high core counts running short duration tests on multiple UUTs in parallel. Performance improvements depend heavily on the design of your system.
• Enhanced Support for LabVIEW – LabVIEW adapter allows you to switch between VI or PPL and helps in seamless debugging of PPL. With this new feature, LabVIEW adapter allows you to override the module settings to run either VI or PPL from the adapter configuration dialog for all LabVIEW steps. The adapter also provides the option of auto building the PPL.
• Reporting Improvements: Default report formats now include an option to save a PDF copy of the report. The TSGraphControl ActiveX control has been replaced with an HTML5 graph control.
• Improved Integration with CVI: When used with CVI 2019 or later, TestStand 2019 supports source code navigation, auto-creation of TestStand Enums from structs, and the ability to distinguish pointers from arrays in the Module tab. To test this out, sign up for the CVI 2019 beta at ni.com/beta. 
• Addition of Quick Drop - You can now use Ctrl+Space to access the quick search dialog box to easily insert steps, sequences, and variables into the Sequence Editor.
• Support for NXG 3.0/3.1 

A full list of all new features will be available in the beta documentation, which will be available when the beta begins. Although the TestStand 2019 beta software is not available yet, I encourage you to pre-sign up for the beta now so that you can access the software immediately once the beta opens.

To sign up for TestStand Beta, complete the following steps:

1. Navigate to the Beta Program Resource Center (ni.com/beta), select TestStand 2019 from the list of software, and click Submit.
   2. Complete the beta application. This information helps us to understand what features of TestStand are most important to our customers. Please ensure that you read and accept the Terms and Conditions of the beta program so that you can be approved.
   3. After you submit your request, please be patient with us as we process your application. Once you are approved, navigate to the Beta Program Resource Center (ni.com/beta) to access the beta software.

Registration does not necessarily guarantee you a position in the beta program. Determination of acceptance into the program is up to the sole discretion of National Instruments.

 
A follow up email will be sent when the beta is available for download. I look forward to working with you during this Beta, and please let me know if you have any questions!

Roxy 
Automated Test Software R&D 

[RoxtheFox]

The beta is live now! To sign up for the beta, follow the instructions listed in the original forum post. 

Thank you and we appreciate all feedback.

Roxy