What are the components of a test harness?

Darshit Shah
2 min readJul 14, 2024

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A test harness is a setup used to automate and manage the testing of software applications. Its main components include test scripts or cases, which define what tests are to be run and how; a test execution engine, which runs these scripts and interacts with the software being tested; and test data, which provides the input needed for the tests. Additionally, there’s usually a test result reporting mechanism that collects and presents the outcomes of the tests, helping to identify any issues or defects. Together, these components work to streamline and standardize the testing process.

Test Execution Engine:

  • The core component that runs the tests.
  • Manages the sequence and execution of test cases.

Test Script Repository:

  • Contains test scripts that define the steps to be executed.
  • Scripts can be written in various languages, depending on the test harness and the system under test.

Test Data Repository:

  • Stores the data inputs required for the tests.
  • It may include different sets of data to cover various test scenarios.

Stubs and Drivers:

  • Stubs: Simulate the behavior of modules that are called by the module under test but are not yet developed.
  • Drivers: Simulate the behavior of modules that call the module under test.

Test Result Analyzer:

  • Collects and analyzes the results of the test executions.
  • Generates reports and logs for review and debugging.

Logging and Reporting Tools:

  • Record the execution details and outcomes of test cases.
  • Provide detailed logs for troubleshooting and summary reports for overall test status.

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Darshit Shah
Darshit Shah

Written by Darshit Shah

Hello! I’m Darshit Shah - ISTQB Certified Software QA Engineer with 13+ years of experience. I believe that by sharing our stories, we can grow together.

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