Enhancing the Automotive Software Test Environment Using Continuous Integration and Validation Pipeline

Software testing is an integral part of the software development lifecycle, ensuring that software meets quality and functionality requirements. Traditionally, testing has been carried out at specific stages, such as during development or before release. However, this approach often leads to delayed defect detection, increased costs, and reduced overall software quality. To overcome these challenges, the concept of continuous testing has emerged as a critical practice in software testing. Continuous testing (CT) is an iterative and automated process that integrates testing activities throughout the software development cycle. It involves running tests early, frequently, and consistently, enabling immediate feedback on code changes and rapid identification of defects. Continental Automotive introduces a novel solution to address specific project requirements that cannot be fulfilled by Jenkins Due to project dependencies. Introducing the Contest Tool, an internally developed application designed for seamless Continuous Testing. This powerful tool enables downloading of project-specific source application files, seamlessly loading the software to the ECU, conducting comprehensive smoke tests, and generating detailed reports. Moreover, the Contest Tool possesses the unique capability of identifying variances in project-specific checkpoints, allowing for efficient Continuous Testing even when differences arise in the source application files. With its comprehensive features and adaptability, the Contest Tool revolutionizes the testing process, ensuring enhanced quality and reliability in project execution.