GHA Test Runner For Core On Win/ARM64: Keyman Project

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GHA Test Runner for Core on Win/ARM64: Keyman Project

Hey everyone! Let's dive into the exciting updates regarding the Keyman project. In this article, we're going to discuss the addition of a GitHub Actions (GHA) test runner for the core functionality on Windows/ARM64 architecture. This is a significant step forward in ensuring our software runs smoothly across different platforms. So, let’s get started!

The Need for a Windows/ARM64 Test Runner

Currently, we face a limitation: our default x86/x64 build agents can't handle the Core unit tests for Windows/ARM64. This is a crucial gap we need to address. Why is this important, you ask? Well, ensuring compatibility and performance on ARM64 devices is becoming increasingly vital as more users and systems adopt this architecture. Imagine building a fantastic keyboard layout, only to find it doesn't work perfectly on a shiny new Windows ARM64 tablet. We definitely want to avoid that!

To tackle this, we're setting up a minimal test runner specifically for Core in a Windows ARM64 GitHub Actions workflow. Think of it as a dedicated testing ground for this platform. This runner will be integrated into our build triggers, working in tandem with our existing TeamCity core-test-windows build configuration. This means we'll have a robust and comprehensive testing process covering multiple architectures.

Why GitHub Actions?

You might be wondering, "Why GitHub Actions?" Great question! GitHub Actions offers a flexible and powerful platform for automating software workflows. It allows us to easily create custom workflows that can build, test, and deploy our code. Plus, it integrates seamlessly with our existing GitHub repository, making the entire process smoother and more efficient.

The Benefits of this New Test Runner

  • Improved Compatibility: By testing directly on Windows/ARM64, we can catch and fix issues specific to this platform early in the development cycle. No more surprises down the road!
  • Enhanced Performance: We can optimize our code to ensure it runs efficiently on ARM64 devices, providing a better user experience.
  • Faster Feedback: The automated test runner will provide quick feedback on our changes, allowing us to iterate faster and deliver higher-quality software.
  • Streamlined Workflow: Integrating with GitHub Actions simplifies our testing process and makes it easier for developers to contribute.

Setting Up the Minimal Test Runner

Okay, let's talk a bit about the technical side. We're aiming for a minimal test runner to start with. This means we'll focus on the essential tests needed to ensure core functionality. We want to get something up and running quickly, and then we can expand it over time.

The setup will involve:

  1. Creating a new GitHub Actions workflow: This workflow will define the steps needed to run our tests on a Windows ARM64 environment.
  2. Configuring the environment: We'll need to set up the necessary tools and dependencies, such as the .NET SDK and any other libraries our tests require. This ensures that our tests run in a consistent and predictable environment.
  3. Writing the test scripts: We'll create scripts that execute our Core unit tests and report the results. These scripts will be the heart of our testing process.
  4. Integrating with build triggers: We'll link the workflow to our build triggers so that tests are run automatically whenever code changes are made. This automation is key to catching issues early.

The Technical Details: A Deeper Dive

Let's get a bit more specific about the steps involved in setting up the test runner. This section is for those of you who are interested in the nitty-gritty details. If you're not a technical person, feel free to skip ahead to the next section!

First, we'll create a new YAML file in the .github/workflows directory of our repository. This file will define our GitHub Actions workflow. We'll start by specifying the name of the workflow and the events that trigger it. For example, we might want to trigger the workflow whenever code is pushed to the main branch or when a pull request is created.

Next, we'll define the jobs that make up the workflow. In this case, we'll have a single job that runs our Core unit tests on Windows ARM64. We'll specify the operating system (Windows Server 2022 Datacenter: ARM64) and the steps that need to be executed.

The steps will include:

  • Checking out the code: We'll use the actions/checkout action to check out the latest version of our code from the repository.
  • Setting up the .NET SDK: We'll use the actions/setup-dotnet action to install the .NET SDK on the virtual machine. We'll need to specify the version of the SDK that our project uses.
  • Installing dependencies: We'll run dotnet restore to install any NuGet packages that our project depends on.
  • Building the project: We'll run dotnet build to build our Core project.
  • Running the tests: We'll use dotnet test to run our unit tests. We'll configure the test runner to output the results in a format that GitHub Actions can understand.
  • Reporting the results: We'll use the actions/upload-artifact action to upload the test results as an artifact. This will allow us to view the results in the GitHub Actions UI.

Challenges and Solutions

Of course, setting up a new test runner isn't always a walk in the park. We anticipate some challenges along the way. For example, we might encounter issues with dependencies, build configurations, or test flakiness. However, we're confident that we can overcome these challenges with a bit of ingenuity and collaboration.

One potential solution is to use Docker containers to create a consistent and isolated testing environment. Docker allows us to package our application and its dependencies into a single container, which can then be run on any machine that has Docker installed. This can help to eliminate inconsistencies between different environments and make our tests more reliable.

Another approach is to use test isolation techniques to reduce the likelihood of test flakiness. This involves ensuring that each test runs in its own isolated context and doesn't depend on the state of other tests. We can achieve this by using techniques such as dependency injection and mocking.

Linking the Test Runner to Build Triggers

Once we have the minimal test runner set up, the next step is to link it to our build triggers. This ensures that the tests are run automatically whenever code changes are made. We want this process to be as seamless as possible, so we can catch issues early and often.

This integration will likely involve modifying our existing build scripts or configuration files to include the new GitHub Actions workflow. We'll need to ensure that the workflow is triggered correctly and that the test results are reported back to our build system. This might involve some scripting and configuration work, but it's a crucial step in making our testing process more efficient.

Working Alongside TeamCity

As mentioned earlier, the new GitHub Actions test runner will work alongside our existing TeamCity core-test-windows build configuration. TeamCity is a powerful continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) server that we use for many of our builds and tests. It's important that the new test runner integrates well with our existing infrastructure.

We'll need to carefully consider how the two systems will interact. For example, we might want to configure TeamCity to trigger the GitHub Actions workflow as part of its build process. Alternatively, we might want to run different sets of tests in each system, depending on their strengths and capabilities. The key is to create a cohesive and efficient testing pipeline that leverages the best of both worlds.

Discussion and Collaboration

This is where you guys come in! We're eager to hear your thoughts and ideas on this new test runner. Do you have any suggestions for how we can improve the setup? Are there any specific tests you think we should include? Your input is invaluable in making this a success.

We'll be using the Keyman discussion category to gather feedback and answer questions. Feel free to chime in with your thoughts. Let's work together to make Keyman even better!

Why Your Input Matters

Collaboration is at the heart of the Keyman project. We believe that the best software is built by teams of people working together, sharing ideas, and providing feedback. Your input is essential in ensuring that we're building the right things in the right way.

By participating in the discussion, you can help us to:

  • Identify potential issues: You might spot a problem or edge case that we haven't considered.
  • Suggest improvements: You might have an idea for how we can make the test runner more efficient or effective.
  • Prioritize tasks: You can help us to decide which tests are most important to include.
  • Learn from each other: We can all learn from each other's experiences and insights.

Conclusion: A Step Towards Better Compatibility

Adding a GitHub Actions test runner for Core on Windows/ARM64 is a significant step forward for the Keyman project. It will help us ensure better compatibility, enhance performance, and streamline our development workflow. By testing directly on Windows/ARM64, we can catch and fix issues early, providing a smoother experience for our users on these devices. This initiative reflects our commitment to supporting a wide range of platforms and architectures.

We're excited about the possibilities this opens up, and we look forward to your feedback and collaboration as we move forward. Let's make Keyman the best it can be, together! Remember, your involvement is what makes this project thrive. So, don’t hesitate to share your thoughts and ideas – we’re all ears! Thanks for being a part of the Keyman community, guys!