FI116586B - Testing of automation applications - Google Patents

Description

116586

Testing Automation Applications

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to the testing of automation applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In an industrial process, a highly automated process control system ensures the proper operation of the process. An industrial process, such as a papermaking process or a power plant process, is very extensive and complex, including many variables. The industrial automation process information system performs various tasks related to collecting, sharing, storing, presenting, and controlling the process properties. An information system typically has a large number of workstations, either self-contained or operator-operated. Workstations that transmit process information and convey control information to a process are typically called a Process Control Server. These process control servers are connected to 15 fieldbus through one or more I / O units.

The process control system comprises several automation applications. An automation application generally refers to an entity providing a particular function in a process control system, such as a circuit for implementing PID control or a valve control circuit. Today, the functionality of automation applications as part of 20 process control systems, such as a paper mill control system, is typically tested manually. The automation application is usually tested using an application-specific debugger that can be used to enter various test: T: drop parameters. This manual testing is quite slow because of the <;. j must select the test points to be tested and input related data feeds / settings.

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Brief Description of the Invention

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for implementing the method:, 'in such a way that testing of an automation application can be facilitated and made more efficient than manual testing. Objectives of the Invention • 30 are achieved by a method, system, data processing equipment and computer. i .: A program product which is characterized by what is stated in the independent pass-claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are claimed in the dependent claims.

«2 116586

According to the invention, the testing system comprises at least one template template for use in testing an automation application, the template template comprising at least one testing function. The automation application design data is retrieved for at least one test point when testing an automation application. The data of the template template and at least one test point is formed into a template, at least part of which is user-changeable. The formula is presented to the user and, in response to the user input, a test signal is applied to the at least one test point of at least one automation application based on the form. From the automation application under test, a response signal is received and the form is updated based on the response signal.

Design data generally refers to information that defines an automation application, such as flowcharts. Form generally refers to a collection of data in any form containing information from at least one application, in particular information about test points. The test point refers to the external interfaces of the automation application through which the application is tested.

An advantage of the method and system of the invention is that the use of a form avoids, at least to a large extent, manual de-bugger testing. The template template may have several different test functions already in place, and the user only has to select the test procedure of their choice. This makes testing easier and quicker because the form can be used to retrieve information about all the required test points,

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λ! other testing-enhancing functions can also be assigned to the form. Since the formula template may include one or more generic test procedures, particularly transmission of test signal and reception of a response signal, the formula template may be generic and may typically be applied to the test. I regardless of the application and process.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the response signals obtained when testing the test points according to the formula can be further processed. . 30, for example, to compare with default values or previous measured response signal ;;; t: leihin. This provides accurate information, for example, in graphical form. ·. ' van application. For example, the data can be stored in a separate one. '. test history database.

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· Typically, for manual testing, the application settings need to be "35 changed and it is the responsibility of the tester to restore the original settings" after testing. This allows for emergencies; for example, if the interlocks 3 116586 set have been bypassed at the power plant during the testing phase and they are not remembered to be reconnected, the boiler may be subjected to overpressure, causing an explosion hazard. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the form comprises a reset function for resetting the original settings to a tes-5 advanced automation application in response, for example, to the completion of testing. This avoids the risk of forgetting to reset settings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 generally illustrates a process control system;

Figure 2 illustrates a test arrangement according to an embodiment;

Figure 3 illustrates a method according to an embodiment;

Figure 4 illustrates further steps of a method according to an embodiment;

Figure 5 illustrates a test formula; and Figure 6 illustrates another test formula.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to the example of Figure 1, a process automation system typically comprises a system bus SB, a field bus FB, and associated therewith: * · '; devices. The system bus SB, also referred to as the process bus, * typically has multiple workstations WS and databases DB connected. Although the data bases DB, for the sake of clarity, are shown separately in Figure 1, they are generally part of a server workstation WS. Workstations '···' WS can perform a variety of tasks: They can, for example, act as Engineering Workstations, Back-up Workstations, Pro · _; As Process Control Server, Diagnostic Server, "": 30 as Operator Servers or Alert Servers. Thus, some WS workstations can serve as servers serving other workstations, and some may be units that utilize the services of the · ·· 'servers. multiple '.,. * tasks, and browser-based client-server solutions can provide, for example, process control or testing from any networked and up-to-date 35 WS workstation. Database workstations that communicate information about the process and convey control information to the process. As illustrated in Figure 1, the workstation WS, which functions as a process control server, can control the field devices FD via the fieldbus FB and the I / O units. The field devices FD can also comprise 1 / 0-5 units, whereby they can be directly coupled Field bus FB can be divided into different types of network implementations, for example, FF protocol can use High Speed Ethernet (HSE) bus and transfer data to a slower H1 bus via the HSE / H1 linker.

The workstations WS comprise a memory MEM, a user interface UI (typically at least a display, a keyboard and a mouse), a communication means CM (typically a network card and communication control software), and a central processing unit CPU comprising one or more processors. However, the information system may also include network-controlled workstations that do not have a UI.

Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating blocks of a testing arrangement according to an embodiment. The testing arrangement comprises the application APP to be tested and the test block TESTB testing it, the application data block APPdata and the conversion block CONB. The automation application APP being tested is a software and / or hard-working functional entity executed on one or more devices (WS workstation). The APP application may be part of a workstation WS, for example, as a process control server. wherein the APP is configured, for example, to generate specified control commands, receive measurement data, and generate control commands' ;;; 'For one or more field devices in accordance with FD measurement data and any other * · *: 25 (e.g. user-provided) instructions. An APP application typically handles '*' *: one or more generic standard program blocks and individually defined program blocks. For example, the APP application may be • | designed to control the flow of water based devices on the basis of measurement data obtained from a level measuring device. APP has. . 30 typically has a plurality of external interfaces through which it can operate

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;; : test. The interfaces used for testing can be called test points.

In the application data block, APPdata, which is typically implemented separately. ' The design data base DB (which is to be understood as a functional unit containing the data) holds design data for different applications. The DB database can be object-based and generate executables. programs and various parameters.

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According to one embodiment, the design data is stored in XML (Extensible Markup Language) format or can be converted by the DB database from the original format to the XML format. XML-based application design data can be obtained from files generated by design software, such as FbCAD-5 (Function Block CAD). FbCAD can be used to configure control, control and logic circuits for automation applications with associated alarm and text information. Automation applications built with FbCAD consist of one or more configuration modules that are loaded into process, operation and alarm stations.

10 The CONB block of conversions forms the APP to be tested

related design information in the Test Form TF. CONB may comprise a test form template TFT (Test Form Template) for the test form for which it retrieves data from the application data block APPdata, or it may retrieve all the data required to create the form from the application data block APPdata. According to a preferred embodiment, a generic template template TFT is stored in the test workstation or on an external storage medium, such as a floppy disk or database DB, for use in testing various applications. In this template, the TFT defines certain basic functions related to testing, one or more fields of application information available from the application path 20, especially the test points, the input signals to be applied to the application being tested, and the sol. *, for response signals received from APP.

In accordance with one embodiment, CONB converts XML->>; 1 · 'from design data into HTML test form TF using: 25 HTML-formatted TFT templates. The design data conversion from XML '': '': to HTML can be implemented by XSLT (Extensible Sty-

: \: lesheet Language; Transformations). Preferably, the TFT template template

you can also use the attached XSL style definitions to specify how the data is represented in the TF form, such as the presentation order and / or layout. Different applications. , 30 Different style definitions can be used for APP data. After receiving the information, the application ;;; t: From the data block APPdata, CONB can arrange the data in the '' 'order and layout of the style definition. According to one embodiment, there is available

: several different stylesheets for different workstations WS, resulting in the form TF

, ', Can be customized to suit the client interface, for example, taking into account the display limitations of the PDA. It is also possible to use other style definitions, such as CSS (Cascading Style Sheet).

6116586

The test arrangement also includes a test block TESTB, which comprises a functionality for testing the operation of the APP. TESTB performs an APP test using the formula TF obtained from the conversion block CONB. When using HTML form templates, your device must have an HTML browser to organize the TEST-5 backend block TESTB. From block TESTB, according to the information contained in the form TF (based on user input and / or test data already understood by the form) and the user selections from the form TF, various test signals can be input and written to the APP inputs, i.e. test points, and and through the APP interface. Thus, the test block TESTB has interfaces for writing and reading both the test formula and the application to be tested. The test block TESTB can at least partially model the actual process control environment in which the APP should operate. This means, for example, when testing a process control server application APP, at least sending measurement data to be transmitted to the process control server according to the selected test configuration, receiving control data and changing the measurement data according to the expected field device response to the control data. The test signals transmitted from the test block TESTB may be preprogrammed according to various field devices or may be added by the user during testing via the UI of the workstation WS. Preferably the test configuration. \. is determined according to a planned PM (Plant Model), where the process process server application to be tested is controlled by the function blocks required for the field devices designed under its control, one example being the PID- '* * 25 function block. It will be appreciated that a solution according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention can test the operation of an APP application in a real hardware environment, e.g., at the factory during testing, or already in the design phase without a real hardware device. Thus, the APP test points can be supplied with a test signal and receive a response signal by the device, respectively. . 30 through physical physical interfaces or logical interfaces: ;; via _. Preferably, TESTB also updates the formula based on the response signal received from the application being tested '... * APP.

According to one embodiment, the retrieval of design data from the database DB and the formation of the form TF, *** from the design data is centralized, whereby the conversion block CONB is implemented on a server serving the testing workstations I »'· *. Such a server can support the HTTP-7 116586 (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), whereby it sends a form in response to an HTTP request from the test client WS. Any wired and / or wireless network technology can be used under the HTTP protocol and the TCP / IP stack (Transport Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) providing transport and network layer services, one typical network technology being Ethernet. Alternatively, however, it is also possible that the workstations performing the test themselves form a TF. The WS testing station may be, for example, a laptop or PDA. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, testing can also be performed remotely using any suitably configured and control-enabled process control workstation WS. The test block TESTB can be implemented, for example, in a process control server which tests the field device FD using the form TF. Another test configuration is that the test control computer 15 is connected to the process control server, for example a laptop comprising a test block TESTB. The interface between TESTB and APP can be wired or wireless.

Although the use of XML / HTML formats has been illustrated above in connection with Figure 2, any form can be used to store application data APPdata, in a template template and in a template. The form TF 20 may also be in XML format, whereby the WS testing station comprises an XML browser. For example, a spreadsheet program can be used to create a pattern template with embedded test functions and to add an application! specific information for testing purposes. You can also use some intermediate form in the test setup, eg .ini file.

Figure 3 shows a method according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The system has at least one template template pre-stored, or fed into a user testing system, for use in automation; · * ·. for testing a thio application, wherein the TFT template template comprises at least one testing function. Typically, the TFT template template comprises a set of test procedures. . 30 patterns that are typically needed to test an automation application. These test functions will be further illustrated in the context of Figures 4-6. Pattern templates can also be customized for different test situations and / or. . ·. per automation application being tested. Based on the input received from the user, - · f (or automatically by the test application TESTB), »· *: * 35 can then be used to select 301 a suitable template template for TFT testing. For an affordable »» • * ·. however, according to the embodiment, 301 single generic »* 8 116586 template templates TFT can be used, providing a number of test functions, all or only some of which are used depending on the APP properties of the application being tested.

For at least one automation application design data, the APPdata 302 is retrieved for at least one test point. Test point data and 5 possible other application-specific data are added to their reserved positions in the TFT. Hereby, a form TF is formed 303 from the design data of the at least one automation application, which comprises the test points of the at least one automation application and their values. Form TF is presented to 304 users. The TF typically comprises identifiers (tags), settings, and values of configuration information related to the APP, for example, a functional subunit of the APP. The user can activate any tag, select and change the values of the input fields. For example, the user can change the value of the default test signal in the form. When a user selects a test form TF or changes the value of one of the input-15 fields in the form TF, (test block TESTB) receives 306 from the user 305. This input activates the test function, modifies a user-customizable field or opens a new window.

One basic testing function is to input a test signal into the application being tested, to receive a response signal from the APP application, and to update the form TF based on the response signal. When this test function is activated, the test block TESTB transmits to the at least one automation application the test signal according to the user input 305 of the APP, in practice in the form input field, typically defined in numeric form. It should be noted that the test signal according to the user input may be one or more test point test symbols or other types of the test point pre-comprehended by the user in the test form TF. or a user-defined signal in the input field. For example, in the formula, TF may be a shortcut to test all test points,, 30 of the APP application. If the user selects a shortcut, the TESTB receives an input to which it sends the test signals according to the TF

: ...: to all test points. The TESTB receives the APP from 308 applications to be tested

. . *. a response signal on the basis of which the user-provided form TF is updated 309. The user is presented 309 with at least a response signal in numeric or: * 35 graphical form. Thereafter, it is possible to return to step 304 by presenting an updated form TF to the user and to wait for the user input.

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Figure 4 further illustrates some additional embodiments that can be implemented after the steps 308 or 309 of Figure 3 in the present test system by means of the test functions in the TF, preferably already in the TFT template. The test result obtained on the basis of one or more response signals may be stored 401 in, for example, a design database DB. Changes can be saved 401 automatically or individually upon user request. According to one embodiment, the TFB and / or the test block TESTB that performs testing on the basis of the form has a log function which keeps track of all test events, i.e. test points, input signals, response signals, as well as any changes made during testing. The log function thus maintains a test history, which it updates to the test form and / or a separate test history file. The log function can also be used to generate an electronic test report / report, which eliminates the need for the user to manually maintain the test-15 protocol. The tester may also print 401 hard copies of the test they perform. The test results can be further processed and the user may be provided with additional information obtained through the processing. For example, the response signals may be compared to the default values of 402 and displayed in graphical form to the user. One test function 20 of the Template Template, and thus of the TF Template, is a comparison function, whereby the selected data of the TF TF is compared based on user input. Differences detected on the basis of the comparison function are presented to the user. A programmatic comparison of test data and / or test events provides!.! accurate information for process monitoring and / or application monitoring. The original setpoints (before starting testing) can be reset to 403 applications * 25 * based on the choice of the APP user. When the value recovery function is selected from the formula TF, the test block TESTB advantageously automatically writes the initial set values to the APP application to all test points.

: "-; According to an alternative preferred embodiment, the reset function may be automatic, so that, for example, when the test application is closed, the original values are returned to the APP application. This avoids the risk of accidental · set testing settings. Alternatively ' . · 'Modified values can be left in APP and stored in 403 changed values; ; replacing the original values in the application data block APPdata (DB).

There is a bidirectional connection between the test block TESTB and the conversion block CONB, and also between the 35 block CONB and the application data block APPdata: * ·· as illustrated in Figure 2. Then, the values of one or more fields in the HTML form t · I * »* 10 116586 TESTB in the conversion block CONB are converted to XML and replace the previous values in the design data block APPdata. According to a preferred embodiment, a client-to-server architecture is in use. In this case, the server can centrally perform modifications of the customized values to the application data block APPdata on the basis of the configuration and testing of ka-5, based on request 301 shown in Figure 3 and 303 and 401 and 403 in Figure 4. functions. Obviously, the functions may also be distributed differently between the server and the client device, for example, the server may also update the form.

The solution allows at least some of the tests to be set to run automatically, for example, at certain intervals. The TFT template base and thus also the TF template are preferably expandable, that is, various extensions can be added thereafter, for example per user or application.

Figure 5 illustrates a test formula TF. A TF can be a single HTML page that preferably contains links to other pages. Figure 5 illustrates with reference 51 those items that are already ready in the test-20 form, i.e., buttons for selecting functions related to testing. These on-screen buttons 51 on the form include the DEBUG MODE ON / OFF function to start the test, the response value * »!, L search function (GET), the test point selection function active or passive, which determines whether to test the test point (TOG). ), various test values' .:: 25 Set function (SET) which allows the user to change the desired test value or test signal into the adjacent »input field. Function 51 can be: '·: There is also a search function (SEARCH), whereby a user can search information for a particular application for testing by entering an application ID in the adjacent input field, and when the desired application is found, its data can be retrieved in a form. Other functions 51 include the original values recovery function ** ;; / (RESTORE), a comparison function for application values such as setpoints * ... · (COMPARE), and a test log selection function (VIEW LOG) to retrieve, displaying the test history. The application-specific data sets comprised in the TF of the example form TF in Figure 5 are referred to by reference 52. These application-specific information blocks 52 obtained from APPdata are Interface ports and Fixed Function Block for the test subject. applicable to 11 116586 lux identified by the tag MTR-100. There are different test points defined in the form, eg MTR-100.F: out2, which shows the test value 27.0.

The TF form may contain embedded executable code such as Java ™, Javascript ™ or ActiveX code. According to one embodiment, the TF contains embedded programs that perform, for example, testing operations, at the user's choice or automatically. For example, selecting the function key of Fig. 5 starts an embedded program that performs the function in question. When the pattern of Figure 5 begins to be formed, a pattern template is searched which in Example 10 of Figure 5 comprises functions 51, i.e., (DEBUG MODE ON / OFF), (RESTORE), (COMPARE), (VIEW LOG), (SEARCH), (TOGGLE ), (SET), and (GET). The test points and any other application-specific information, such as comments and design values, are then retrieved to the template template.

The TF form may also contain shortcut fields to speed up the tes-15 background compared to using a standard debugger. Form TF may include, for example, text, hypertext, graphical data, continuously updated process state data (typically numeric), or links to images, audio, video, and other content. Form TF may have a TEST ALL function, which selects the TES-20 backend block TESTB to test all APPs specified in Form TF. The formula TF may comprise several different test configurations,. v. or for different test configurations there are different forms TF that are loaded into the test workstation WS. The form may include links to other formulas and other types of resources that are loaded into the testing · · · v '25 workstation WS in response to the link selection. These links may be generic and already defined in the TFT template, or they may be application specific and: '·: retrieved from the APP data block APPdata.

. '' ·. Figure 6 illustrates another test formula TF. The application specific test points are listed under the (IDENTIFIER) column, in the design. . 30 information from the lecture data also include test point specific comments (COM- • * »MENT) and design values (DESIGN VALUE). The example of Figure 6 has eight input test points (INPUT) and one exit test point (OUTPUT).

♦. . ·. The test form in Figure 6 has some of the same functions as the chart in Figure 5.

, ···, even in the freezer, plus new features: new circuit select function (NEW

35 LOOP), New Test Point Add Function (NEW INPUT / NEW OUTPUT), • '·> allowing the user to add a new input and / or output himself, thus * »12 116586 assigns a new test point to the application under test, Test Configuration Edit Function (TESTMODE CONFIG), which opens a dialog that specifies the testing method and connections, such as data refresh rate, input and response value collection (RECORDING ON / OFF) to collect input / output (INPUT-SEQUENCE / OUTPUT SEQUENCE) values (to log file) always on by default), a value save function for design data (SAVE DESIGN PARAMETERS) to replace the design value of the application data block APPdata, a print report function (PRINT REPORT) to print a test report based on historical log data collected T, and a test S ) to record test events, such as log data (HISTORY) or a separate report based on it. For example, the test point pr: FIC-100: kp has a design value of 0.75 derived from design data (APPdata). When user 15 selects a value storage function for the SAVE DESIGN PARAMETERS, the design data block APPdata can be changed to a design value of 1.2 (response value) or 1.4 (user-entered test value).

The functions illustrated above with reference to Figures 5 and 6 are just a few examples of the functions that a test form may have to facilitate and speed up the test-20 compared to the manual test performed previously.

The blocks illustrated in Fig. 2 and the functions illustrated in Figs. 3-6 may be advantageously implemented by computer program code v: 25 executed in one or more workstation central processing units (CPUs). The computer program code is obtained from the internal memory MEM, »" · '· from a storage medium, such as a CD-ROM, or it can also be: '·: downloaded from a telecommunication network. The invention can be implemented instead of software.' '. also as a March solution or a combination of hard and software solutions.

It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that as technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in many different ways. The invention and its implementation ** ;; The forms are thus not limited to the examples described above, but may vary within the scope of the claims.

4h 1h: '' 35 5 * *

Claims (10)

116586 A method for arranging computer-based testing of a process control system automation application (APP), comprising: sending (307) a test signal to an automation application (APP) under test and receiving (308) a response signal from an automation application (APP), characterized by: TFT) for use in testing an Automation Application (APP) comprising a Template Template (TFT) comprising at least one test function, retrieving (302) from at least one test point information from the design data of at least one Automation Application (APP) in response to a need for 303) a formula (TF) of at least one of the test point data (TFT) and at least one test point is provided, (304) is provided (306) a user input, input (307) , in response to a user's feed (306), a test signal based on a form (TF) to at least one of the 20 test points of at least one automation application (APP), and. . updating (309) the formula (TF) on the basis of the received (308) response signal X; * I, wherein the formula (TF) comprises a reset function having pe ν '; The original settings will be reset (403) to the automation application ·: ·: 25 application (APP) being tested. 2. The method of claim 1, characterized in that a form test function is a log function for collecting test data from tested test points, test signals: 30 and response signals in response to the log function being active, and storing test data. . X A method according to any one of the preceding claims, · · · II! characterized in that the testing functions contained in the form · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·65 A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the form test functions is a design data storage function, whereby data entered by the user or obtained from the response signal is stored in the design data in response to a design data storage function selected. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a form test operation is a comparison function, whereby the form data is compared in response to a design data storage function selected in accordance with the input received from the user, and the detected differences are presented to the user. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the formula template is in HTML format and the design data is in XML format, whereby the XML data of at least one test point is converted into HTML format, and. . inserting the data of at least one test point into an HTML field in the appropriate field. * ··· '7. Testing system for process control system automation application. (·) 25 applications (APP) configured to send' '' i (307) to test automation application (APP) test signal and receive (308) from automation application (APP) ), a response signal, characterized in that the system comprises at least one TFT template used for testing, t 30 standard automation application (APP), which template template (TFT) · '·: comprises at least one testing function, the system is arranged retrieve (302) from the design data of at least one automation application (APP) at least one test point in response to the need to test the automation application (APP), the system is configured to form (303) a pattern template (TFT) and a form (TF) of at least one test point data, at least some of which is user adjustable wherein, the system is arranged to display (304) a user of a form (TF), the system is arranged to receive (306) a user input, the system is arranged to input (307), in response to a user input, according to a form (TF) APP) to at least one test point, and the system is configured to update (309) the formula (TF) based on the received response signal, wherein the formula (TF) comprises a reset function for resetting (403) the original settings to the automation application (APP) being tested. A data processing device (WS) for a process control system automation application (APP) testing system, characterized in that the data processing device (WS) comprises at least one template template (TFT) for use in testing an automation application (APP) comprising at least one test function 20 (WS) is arranged to retrieve (302) from the design data of at least one Automation Application (APP) at least one test point in response to it,. ·, ·. that the automation application (APP) needs to be tested, the data processing device (WS) is arranged to (303) form a template (TFT) and at least one of the test point data into a form (TF), v: 25 of which , in response to a user input (306), a test signal may be provided (307) to at least one test point of at least one automation application: '\ i (APP), * ··. where the form (TF) includes a reset function to restore the original settings to the automation application under test (APP),. . The data processing device (WS) is arranged to send a form: (TF) to another device for presentation to the user, and the data processing device (WS) is arranged to update the design path. . ·. based on information received from another device. A data processing unit (WS) for a process control system automation application (APP) testing system, which is a data processing unit; (WS) is arranged to send (307) to the automation application under test * »I» »* 116586 (APP) a test signal and to receive (308) a response signal from the automation application (APP), characterized in that the data processing device (WS) is arranged to receive and a form (TF) formed from at least one test point data, of which at least some of the data is user changeable, the data processing device (WS) being arranged to display (304) the form (TF) to the user, the data processing device (WS) being arranged to receive (306) 10, the data processing device (WS) is arranged to supply (307), in response to the user input (306), a test signal according to the form (TF) to at least one test point of at least one automation application (APP), and the data processing device (WS) is arranged to update (309) -15 units (TF) of received (308) response signal basis, wherein the form (TF) comprises a reset function, based on which the data processing device (WS) is arranged to reset (403) the original settings to the automation application (APP) under test. A computer program product 20 downloadable into a computer memory for controlling at least one data processing device (WS) in a process control system, the computer program product comprising a portion of a computer program code. . for transmitting (307) a test signal to an automation application (APP) under test to receive (308) an automation application (APP) for a test signal and a response signal, characterized in that the computer program product comprises: v: 25 computer program code portions of at least one retrieve (302) design data for at least one Automation Application (APP) in response to a need to test the Automation Application (APP). computer program code portion for generating a form (303), · at least a portion of the data in the Template Template (TFT) and at least one test point having at least some user-changeable data in the formula 30 TF, for presenting (304) the computer program code portion to the user; (306), *> * »1 *» · • ► l »II i 116586 for supplying a test signal (307) of a computer program code section in response to a user input (306) to at least one test point of at least one automation application (APP), (TF) to update 5 (309) on the basis of the received (308) response signal, and to reset (403) the original code portion of the computer program code to the automation application (APP) under test based on the reset function of the form (TF). IM1 · • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • I I t 18 * 1 »