[qmtest] TET result stream

[Nathaniel Smith]

On Fri, Feb 20, 2004 at 01:31:28AM -0800, Mark Mitchell wrote:
> Nathaniel Smith wrote:
> >Patch attached for reviews.
> OK, check it in.

Done.

> >Question: current patch assumes that dejagnu subtests all start and
> >end simultaneously with their containing test.  I know this is true
> >for the compiler tests, where subtests are basically different ways
> >of scanning compiler output, but if it's not true in general than I'd
> >rather lie obviously then lie subtly... (i.e., switch back to using
> >00:00:00 for purpose start/end times, so it's obvious that the times
> >can't be trusted).
> >
> I'm afraid that something like 00:00:00 will (a) be coincidentally right 
> twice a day, and (b) result in the appearance that time is going 
> backwards for some tool, with corresponding weird behavior.  The subtle 
> lie is at least logically consistent.

Can't do much about (a).  Besides, if it's coincidentally right, then
what is there to complain about? :-)

(b) is fair enough, I suppose, but arguably you want your tool to do
weird stuff, because you might then notice that it's somehow depending
on invalid information.  But:

> I'd not sweat this detail too much -- we can cross this bridge when we 
> have tons of users running old non-compiler DejaGNU tests with the Tet 
> output format.  Note that I do say "when", not "if", because it is 
> obvious that this will in fact become a dominant use case for QMTest. :-)

Right.  It's such a compelling combination, in fact, that I predict
many people will start writing non-compiler DejaGNU tests emulated
under QMTest just so they can use my wonderful new output mode.

-- Nathaniel

-- 
When the flush of a new-born sun fell first on Eden's green and gold,
Our father Adam sat under the Tree and scratched with a stick in the mould;
And the first rude sketch that the world had seen was joy to his mighty heart,
Till the Devil whispered behind the leaves, "It's pretty, but is it Art?"
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