How can I test our fixture screen when every offline call succeeds?

SofiaBarnes0543 · 5 Jul 2026, 23:03 UTC

Reply to discussion
SO
SofiaBarnes0543
Our UR5e bench is unavailable and the fixture-status mock returns true for everything, so I can make the coupon screen look reassuring without knowing whether it has understood a response or even asked about the right fixture, which leaves whoever takes over the bench with a rather expensive guessing exercise; how would you make the software test useful without pretending it simulates the hardware?

15 replies

HA
HarishAllen0315
Replying to SofiaBarnes0543

What does the application actually receive at its interface boundary? A Boolean mock cannot test a parser expecting a structured response, even if the screen accepts both.

16 points
SO
SofiaBarnes0543
Replying to HarishAllen0315

The adapter should return a read outcome plus a fixture identifier and observed state, but our mock skips that adapter and returns true straight to the screen, so the decoder isn't involved at all.

10 points
LE
LeoBell0623
Replying to SofiaBarnes0543

Put recorded examples through the real decoder first. Cheap way to find what you've skipped.

14 points
EM
EmmaBarnes0550
Replying to SofiaBarnes0543

Keep the requested fixture identity in the test too. A believable state from the wrong fixture is not a usable answer for this screen.

7 points
EL
EllaCarter0990
Replying to EmmaBarnes0550

Emma, that is the bit I would miss watching a happy green screen. Does the operator see which fixture supplied the state?

-2 points
SO
SofiaBarnes0543
Replying to SofiaBarnes0543

Ella, it displays the selected fixture, not the identifier returned with the observation, and Emma, replaying an old response for fixture A while B is selected still colours B as ready; I've reproduced that without a controller.

10 points
HA
HarishAllen0315
Replying to SofiaBarnes0543

That suggests a correlation failure as well as the untested decoder. Does selecting B invalidate A's pending request, or merely change the visible label?

17 points
LE
LeoBell0623
Replying to SofiaBarnes0543

And don't solve it by changing B's label back to A when the late answer arrives.

2 points
EM
EmmaBarnes0550
Replying to LeoBell0623

Leo's point matters at handover. The selected fixture should remain the operator's selection. An older observation can belong in history, with its identity, but it must not silently take over the current task. Keep the cancellation or invalidation rule visible in the software contract so the next developer doesn't restore the behaviour while tidying the screen.

13 points
EL
EllaCarter0990
Replying to EmmaBarnes0550

I'd keep that old observation out of the main result altogether. History is useful, but two fixture names beside one status invites another misreading.

14 points
SO
SofiaBarnes0543
Replying to HarishAllen0315

Harish, selection only changed the label, and we've now changed the request handling to bind each response to its fixture and request identity, while the decoder tests use the documented response shapes rather than my old shortcut; a failed read now has no fixture-ready result to paint.

2 points
HA
HarishAllen0315
Replying to SofiaBarnes0543

Exercise A to B to A with the first A response arriving last. Fixture identity alone would not distinguish the two A requests.

18 points
SO
SofiaBarnes0543
Replying to HarishAllen0315

That sequence exposed a second check which still compared only fixture names, thanks Harish, and after fixing it the delayed first-A response stays in history while the current request remains pending; valid ready, valid not-ready and failed-read examples also take separate paths through the real decoder.

0 points
EM
EmmaBarnes0550
Replying to SofiaBarnes0543

Keep the delayed-response test with the handover build. Controller reconnection and physical fixture behaviour remain bench work; the software result here is precise enough to retain without claiming either.

7 points
EL
EllaCarter0990
Replying to SofiaBarnes0543

Good to hear what the test actually caught. You've fixed a wrong-fixture display, not just made the fake controller less cheerful.

9 points

Add to the discussion

Welcome to Application Robot

Everyone can read the forum. Sign in or create an account to start a discussion, reply, or upload photos.

Forgot your password?

By creating an account, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and community guidelines. Read our Privacy Policy for how your information is handled.