Ask HN: How can I test binary packages automatically?

2 points by patrickg 9y ago ↗ HN

I have written an OpenSource software (https://speedata.github.io/publisher/index.html) that generates PDF files and I provide ZIP files for various operating systems (Mac/Linux/Windows 64 and 32 bit each). Now from time to time I mess up the ZIP files (such as removing the x flag from the binaries).

I'd like to run a simple test from time to time on each of these operating systems (if possible) that does the following:

1) download a ZIP file from a given location and extract it 2) change to a directory (a hello world example) 3) run a binary from another path within the ZIP file and check if a PDF file has been generated.

Of course I could do a much better check with PDF comparison etc.

How can I automate this task? A "free" online solution would be nice, but any automatic testing solution is appreciated.

1 comment

[ 2.8 ms ] story [ 14.3 ms ] thread

brudgers 9y ago ↗

To me, this sounds like the sort of thing that a person will probably have to build themselves...maybe start by automating the build process so that the -x- flag doesn't get skipped. Which points out an advantage of building it one's self: the tooling can be incremental, modular, and tailored to specific needs and not require learning a third party package and tuning the configuration.

Good luck.