Test tool and methods for facilitating testing of a system managed event

Abstract

Test tool logic and testing methods are provided for facilitating testing a duplexed computer function, such as a duplexed coupling facility. The test tool allows a testcase written for a first environment to be automatically driven in a second environment, thereby facilitating testing of a function of the second environment. Other aspects include logic for intercepting a system event by a test tool to facilitate testing of system-managed event processing, and for adjusting a display characteristic of one or more messages to be displayed by the test tool based on message type. Further, logic for propagating an environmental error indication and for facilitating processing a wait state are also provided, as are several new test tool verbs and macros.

1 . A method of presenting test results of a testcase employed to test a computer function of a plurality of nodes, said method comprising: 
 passing system test results from a plurality of nodes to a test tool, wherein the system test results comprise multiple types of messages;    responsive to the passing, setting at least one display characteristic of at least one message based on message type; and    displaying the system test results, including the at least one message having the at least one display characteristic set based on message type.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of nodes comprises a sysplex.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the system test results are derived from multiple systems within a sysplex, and wherein the system test results comprise at least one of a testcase informational message, a testcase failure message and a testcase success message.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one display characteristic comprises a display color of said message, and wherein said displaying comprises displaying testcase informational messages in a first color, testcase failure messages in a second color, and testcase success messages in a third color independent of the system of the sysplex from which the messages originate.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the setting and the displaying are performed by the test tool.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising processing the system test results in the test tool via a message processing facility (MPF) exit.  
   
   
       7 . A system for presenting test results of a testcase employed to test a computer function of a plurality of nodes, said system comprising: 
 means for passing system test results from a plurality of nodes to a test tool, wherein the system test results comprise multiple types of messages;    means for setting, responsive to the passing, at least one display characteristic of at least one message based on message type; and    means for displaying the system test results, including the at least one message having the at least one display characteristic set based on message type.    
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of nodes comprises a sysplex.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the system test results are derived from multiple systems within a sysplex, and wherein the system test results comprise at least one of a testcase informational message, a testcase failure message and a testcase success message.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one display characteristic comprises a display color of said message, and wherein said means for displaying comprises means for displaying testcase informational messages in a first color, testcase failure messages in a second color, and testcase success messages in a third color independent of the system of the sysplex from which the messages originate.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the test tool comprises the means for setting and the means for displaying.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising means for processing the system test results in the test tool via a message processing facility (MPF) exit.  
   
   
       13 . At least one program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying at least one program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method of presenting test results of a testcase employed to test a computer function of a plurality of nodes, said method comprising: 
 passing system test results from a plurality of nodes to a test tool, wherein the system test results comprise multiple types of messages;    responsive to the passing, setting at least one display characteristic of at least one message based on message type; and    displaying the system test results, including the at least one message having the at least one display characteristic set based on message type.    
   
   
       14 . The at least one program storage device of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of nodes comprises a sysplex.  
   
   
       15 . The at least one program storage device of  claim 14 , wherein the system test results are derived from multiple systems within a sysplex, and wherein the system test results comprise at least one of a testcase informational message, a testcase failure message and a testcase success message.  
   
   
       16 . The at least one program storage device of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one display characteristic comprises a display color of said message, and wherein said displaying comprises displaying testcase informational messages in a first color, testcase failure messages in a second color, and testcase success messages in a third color independent of the system of the sysplex from which the messages originate.  
   
   
       17 . The at least one program storage device of  claim 13 , wherein the setting the and displaying are performed by the test tool.  
   
   
       18 . The at least one program storage device of  claim 13 , further comprising processing the system test results in the test tool via a message processing facility (MPF) exit.