Abstract
Software Test Environments (STEs) provide a means of automating the test process and
integrating testing tools to support required testing capabilities across the test
process. Specifically, STEs may support test planning, test management, test measurement,
test failure analysis, test development, and tests execution. The software architechture of
an STE describes the allocation of the environment's functions to specific implementation
structures. An STE's architecture can facilitate or impede modifications such as changes
to processing algorithms, data representation, or functionality. Performance and
reusability are also subject to architecturally imposed constraints. Evaluation of an STE's
architecture can provide insight into modifiability, extensibility, portability and
reusability of the STE. This paper proposes a reference architecture for STEs. Its
analytical value is demonstrated by using SAAM (Software Architectural Analysis Method) to
compare three software test environments: PROTest II (Prolog Test Environment, Version II),
TAOS (Testing with Analysis and Oracle support), and CITE (CONVEX Integrated Test Environ-
ment).
