Why TPF/GI should be in your application-testing toolbox

Proven Virtual Technology

All test tools have their own strengths. But among TPF test tools, only TPF/GI offers reduced resource utilization, data and program isolation, and quality checking so strict that it forces code to be written correctly.

TPF/GI can offer these advantages because it provides each programmer with a virtual environment in which to test. The virtual environment, a product of 12 years of development, allows programmers to use multiple systems and connect to remote resources.

Because the testing environment is virtual, hardware bottlenecks disappear. Recently a TPF/GI customer asked all of its programmers to test simultaneously: the needle on resource utilization hardly bumped. Needless to say, this intelligent use of resources greatly reduces your company’s need for new hardware.

Another advantage of virtual testing environments is data and program isolation. When multiple testers use the same test system, one programmer’s errors can hinder and pollute the results that other programmers receive. However, when each tester uses a private environment, testing is uninterrupted and the results are pure-improving code quality, programmer efficiency, and programmer satisfaction.

Finally, no non-virtual testing system can enforce quality checks on code as TPF/GI does. For example, during testing TPF/GI resets the values of registers across macros, ensuring that your mission-critical applications don’t depend on a value left in a register accidentally. And TPF/GI simply won’t allow programs to access data outside their ECB environments.

These unique advantages of virtual testing mean that TPF/GI is an irreplaceable addition to your toolbox whether you use it alone or as a complement to other test tools.

State-of-the-Art Debugging

TPF Software is commmitted to bringing state-of-the-art debugging tools to TPF. Already TPF/GI possesses source-level debugging, easy-to-set breakpoints, syntax highlighting, configurable toolbars, watch windows, context-sensitive help, and so on. But we consider excellence to be a moving target, and we have yet more big improvements in the works.

At the same time, we always keep in mind the concerns of the TPF application programmer. For example, our graphical ECB window provides the best ECB support in the industry. And even as we move to support each new high-level language, we’ll never forget that legacy assembler code still does most of the work and needs to be maintained. Our recent development of the Assembler Expression Facility (www.tpf-software.com/News/99_1_AsmExpr.htm) demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the TPF legacy.

TPF/GI’s state-of-the-art features mean that you can use it as your primary test tool. And its continuing commitment to the TPF legacy means that it is uniquely qualified to be part of your application-testing toolbox.

Graphical User Interface

The consensus of opinion across the software industry, as well the opinion of our own customers, suggests tremendous advantages from moving to a GUI environment. These advantages include decreased training time, enhanced worker productivity, and improved code quality. (For a fuller description of GUI advantages, please visit www.tpf-software.com/News/gui.htm on the Web.)

These GUI advantages are paying off in TPF/GI. Current customers tell us that testing productivity has improved significantly since moving to TPF/GI from CMSTPF. If you are not yet using CMSTPF, you may see even greater increases in productivity when you add TPF/GI to your toolbox.

A Legacy of Success

As the heir to CMSTPF, TPF/GI inherits 12 successful years of helping customers test their TPF applications and improve application quality. Just as important are our years of proven customer support that help guarantee the success of TPF/GI at your shop.

And finally, because of CMSTPF’s long success, programmers across the industry know and like it. This programmer approval is both a training boon and a solid recommendation for making sure your toolbox includes TPF/GI.