This work addresses two key concepts in device test program development: test class programming and pattern management. These are explored in the context of an open architecture test system, where the primary requirement is the flexibility to integrate externally developed capabilities into the system. Development against an open architecture test system includes the integration of software-based solutions (such as user-developed test classes) and third party hardware modules, including the software necessary to support the modules. This work focuses on the open architecture facets of test programming and pattern management, as embodied in the OPENSTAR/spl trade/ specification. The software for Advantest Corporation's T2000 system is used as a concrete example for highlighting these concepts.

The correctness of semantic-syntax-directed translators (SSDTs) is examined. SSDTs are a generalization of syntax-directed translators in which semantic information is employed to partially direct the translator. Sufficient conditions for an SSDT to be “semantic-preserving,” or “correct,” are presented. A further result shows that unless certain conditions are met, it is undecidable, in general, whether an SSDT is semantic-preserving.

An autoprogrammer is an interactive computer programming system which automatically constructs computer programs from example computations executed by the user. The example calculations are done in a scratch pad fashion at a computer display using a light pen or other graphic input device, and the system stores a detailed history of all of the steps executed in the process. Then the system automatically synthesizes the shortest possible program which is capable of executing the observed examples. The paper describes the computational environment provided by the system, proves that the program synthesis technique is both "sound" and "complete," describes the design of the system, and gives some programs it was used to create.