A test harness TH for numerical applications and libraries

Abstract

TH is a test harness to facilitate the development of scientific software. The operational model is the comparison of the results from running two versions of an application code to ensure the results are equivalent. First, TH is installed into an existing application code that runs to completion on a set of data. Installation tools provide a readily-modified default initial configuration. The application code with TH installed is run in generate mode to create a monitored data file. A second version of the application with TH installed is run in check mode, comparing the current results with the original results. Features include specifiable criterion for data comparison, and a design that facilitates the installation of TH into codes written in any programming language and in parallel SPMD codes. Once installed, TH can be deactivated, permitting the same code to be maintained with and without the test harness in use. © 2007 International Federation for Information Processing.