doc: update run item documentation

Clarify result semantics (SUCCESS on launch, not on sub-test result),
batch vs GUI mode behaviour, and clean up attribute descriptions.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

CLAUDE.md

@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+# Testium — Claude Context
+
+## What is testium
+
+Testium is a test sequencer/runner written in Python. It executes YAML-based test scripts ("`.tum`" files) and supports three execution modes:
+
+- **GUI mode** (default, no flag): PySide6 Qt application (`src/testium/main_win/`)
+- **Batch mode** (`-b` / `--batch-execution`): headless, non-interactive, runs tests and exits
+- **Terminal mode** (`-m` / `--terminal`): interactive REPL in the terminal (partially implemented / work-in-progress)
+
+Run from repo root: `./run.sh` (Linux) or `run.bat` / `run.ps1` (Windows).  
+Direct invocation: `python3 -m src/testium [-b|-m] <test_file.tum>`
+
+## Architecture
+
+### Entry point
+`src/testium/__init__.py` — parses CLI args, dispatches to the three modes.  
+`multiprocessing.set_start_method('spawn')` is called early (required for Linux dialog subprocesses).
+
+### Core execution
+- `src/testium/interpreter/process.py` — `TestProcess(multiprocessing.Process)`: runs the test in a child process. Stdout is redirected via a `StringQueue` → pipe → parent thread (`capture_stdout`) that writes to real stdout.
+- `src/testium/interpreter/batch.py` — `Batch`: parent-side orchestrator for `-b` mode. Creates the `msg_queue`, starts `TestProcess`, waits for the "finished" signal.
+- `src/testium/interpreter/test_set.py` — `TestSet`: builds and executes the tree of test items.
+- `src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item*.py` — one file per test item type (check, cycle, group, let, unittest, py_func, lua_func, console, git, dialogs, report, …).
+
+### Communication channels (parent ↔ child process)
+- `msg_queue` (`multiprocessing.Queue`): carries status messages from child to parent.
+  - Item status: `{"id": <non-None>, "name": ..., "status": "started"|"finished", ...}`
+  - Global dict updates: `{"type": "gd_update"|"gd_delete", "key": ..., "value": ...}` — **no "id" key**
+  - Process finished: `{"id": None, "name": "test_process", "status": "finished"}` — id key present but `None`
+- `tst_ctrl` (`TestSetController`): sends control commands (execute, stop, pause, close, …) from parent to child.
+- stdout pipe (`multiprocessing.Pipe`): streams test output from child back to parent's `capture_stdout` thread.
+
+### Stdout pipeline (batch mode)
+```
+test item print()
+  → sys.stdout (StringQueue, in child)
+  → send_stdout thread (child) → pipe → capture_stdout thread (parent)
+  → print() → sys.stdout (TermLog wrapping real stdout, in parent)
+  → terminal
+```
+
+### Global dictionary
+`src/testium/interpreter/utils/globdict.py` — shared state accessible from test scripts via `tm.gd()` / `tm.setgd()`. When `set_update_queue()` is active (during test execution), every `setgd`/`delgd` on a non-`_`-prefixed key pushes a message to `msg_queue`.
+
+### Coloring (`-o` disables it)
+`src/testium/interpreter/utils/termlog.py` — `TermLog` wraps stdout with colorama-based line coloring (PASS=green, FAIL=red, WARN=yellow, …). Applied in parent process for batch/terminal modes. Auto-detects light/dark terminal background via (in order): `COLORFGBG` env var, OSC 11 query, default dark.
+
+### Dialog items in batch mode
+All dialog items (`dialog_image`, `dialog_question`, `dialog_references`, `dialog_value`, `dialog_message`, `dialog_choices`, `dialog_note`) follow this rule in non-interactive text mode (`-b`):
+- `auto_result` defined in the `.tum` → result controlled by it (`ok`/`yes` → SUCCESS, `cancel`/`no` → FAIL)
+- `auto_result` absent → FAIL with `"Dialog not supported in batch mode"`
+- `sleep dialog: true` → exception: just sleeps normally, no GUI, no failure
+
+`auto_result` (and `auto_value` for value/note dialogs) is intended for the validation test suite (`test/validation/`) only.
+
+## Key files
+
+| Path | Role |
+|------|------|
+| `src/testium/__init__.py` | CLI entry, mode dispatch |
+| `src/testium/interpreter/batch.py` | `-b` mode orchestrator |
+| `src/testium/interpreter/process.py` | Child test process |
+| `src/testium/interpreter/terminal.py` | `-m` mode (WIP) |
+| `src/testium/interpreter/test_set.py` | Test tree builder/executor |
+| `src/testium/interpreter/utils/globdict.py` | Global variable dict |
+| `src/testium/interpreter/utils/termlog.py` | Terminal color output |
+| `src/lib/stdout_redirect.py` | `StdioRedirect` singleton (`stdio_redir`) |
+| `src/lib/string_queue.py` | Thread-safe string buffer used for stdout redirection |
+| `src/testium/libs/testium.py` | Public API for test scripts (`tm.*`) |
+
+## Known issues / WIP
+- `-m` (terminal mode) is not functional yet.
+- `text_no_pyside` branch: work in progress on text mode improvements.
+
+### `run` item
+`src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_run.py` — launches a `.tum` file in a new testium instance (`-b` in batch mode, `-r` in GUI mode). Result:
+- **SUCCESS** if the sub-instance launched and ran to completion (exit code is ignored)
+- **FAILURE** if the file is not found, `wait_for_exec` is set without `start_time`/`end_time`, the time window was not reached, or any other launch error
+
+The sub-test's own pass/fail result is intentionally not propagated.
+
+## Recent fixes (branch `text_no_pyside`)
+- `batch.py`: premature loop exit when `gd_update` messages (no `"id"` key) were mistaken for the "finished" signal — fix: `"id" in m and m["id"] is None`
+- `batch.py`: `control("loaded")` deadlock if `TestProcess` crashed before `cmd_th` started — fix: daemon thread + `threading.Event` + `is_alive()` polling
+- `termlog.py`: `COLOR_DEFAULT = Fore.WHITE` invisible on light terminals; added auto-detection + light palette. Also fixed `write()` residue accumulation bug (`s[pos:]` → `s[pos+1:]`).
+- Dialog items: `auto_result`/`auto_value` now used in non-interactive text mode; dialogs without `auto_result` FAIL immediately in batch mode.
+- `run` item: removed `stdout=PIPE` (caused deadlock with `multiprocessing` spawn); simplified result to SUCCESS on any completed subprocess.
+
+## Validation tests
+Located in `test/validation/`. Run with `-b` flag against each `.tum` file.
+
+## Dependencies
+See `src/requirements.txt`. Key ones: `pyside6`, `pyyaml`, `jinja2`, `colorama`, `gitpython`, `pexpect`, `matplotlib`.

doc/manual/sphinx/source/conf.py

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import os
 
 import sys
 sys.path.insert(0, os.path.abspath('../../../../src/testium/'))
+sys.path.insert(0, os.path.abspath('../../../../src/'))
 
 
 # -- Project information -----------------------------------------------------

doc/manual/sphinx/source/helper_lib.rst

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ Global variables helper functions
 To manage values in the global variables dataset, the following testium library API
 must be used:
 
-.. automodule:: interpreter.utils.globdict
+.. automodule:: py_func.tm
    :members: gd, setgd, delgd
    :undoc-members:
    :no-index:

doc/manual/sphinx/source/test_items/items_common_attributes.rst

@@ -87,6 +87,10 @@ if not provided is given in the table as well.
     |                       |                   | see :ref:`Expected result<sec_expected_result>`       |
     |                       |                   | for details.                                          |
     +-----------------------+-------------------+-------------------------------------------------------+
+    | ``store_result``      | /                 | Store the test result in a global variable.           |
+    |                       |                   | see :ref:`Store result<sec_store_result>`             |
+    |                       |                   | for details.                                          |
+    +-----------------------+-------------------+-------------------------------------------------------+
 
 
 last test result
@@ -183,6 +187,61 @@ If the result and the expected_result is equal, the test will be *PASSED* if ``T
 The special ``$(result)`` variable is replaced in the ``expected_result`` attribute content with the test result value.
 
 
+.. _sec_store_result:
+
+Store result
+-----------------------------------------------
+
+The ``store_result`` attribute stores the test result into a named global variable,
+making it available to subsequent test items via ``$(variable_name)``.
+
+If the test item returns a value (e.g. ``py_func``, ``json_rpc``), that value is stored.
+If ``process_result`` is also specified, the stored value is the post-processed result.
+
+If the test item produces no value (result is ``None``), the stored value is the
+test status string: ``"PASS"`` or ``"FAIL"``, evaluated after ``expected_result``
+but **before** ``no_fail``. This ensures the real outcome is captured even when
+``no_fail: True`` would otherwise mask a failure.
+
+.. code-block:: yaml
+    :caption: Store a function return value
+
+    - py_func:
+        name: Read sensor
+        func_name: read_temperature
+        store_result: temperature
+
+    - py_func:
+        name: Check temperature in range
+        func_name: check_range
+        param: [$(temperature), 20, 30]
+
+.. code-block:: yaml
+    :caption: Store a post-processed value
+
+    - py_func:
+        name: Get firmware version string
+        func_name: get_version
+        process_result: "'$(result)'.split('.')[0]"
+        store_result: fw_major
+
+.. code-block:: yaml
+    :caption: Store the pass/fail status of a test with no return value
+
+    - console:
+        name: Send command
+        console_name: device
+        steps:
+            - writeln: reboot
+            - read_until: {expected: "ready", timeout: 10}
+        store_result: reboot_status
+
+    - py_func:
+        name: Use reboot status
+        func_name: log_status
+        param: [$(reboot_status)]
+
+
 Export attribute
 -----------------------------------------------
 

doc/manual/sphinx/source/test_items/py_func_test_item.rst

@@ -123,17 +123,12 @@ Each ``py_func`` item without a ``context_id`` runs in a dedicated subprocess th
 is started and stopped around the call. State cannot be shared between two such
 items using module-level variables.
 
-Two mechanisms are available to share data across calls:
-
-**Using the testium global dictionary**
-
-Inside a ``py_func`` script, the ``tm`` module exposes ``tm.setgd`` and ``tm.gd``
-to read and write the testium global dictionary of the test process. Values stored
-this way are accessible from any subsequent test item (including other ``py_func``
-items) without requiring a shared subprocess.
+Inside a ``py_func`` script, ``tm.setgd`` and ``tm.gd`` read and write the testium
+global dictionary. Values stored this way are accessible from any subsequent test
+item, including other ``py_func`` items, without requiring a shared subprocess.
 
 .. code-block:: python
-    :caption: sharing a serializable value via the global dictionary
+    :caption: sharing a value via the global dictionary
 
     import py_func.tm as tm
 
@@ -144,36 +139,22 @@ items) without requiring a shared subprocess.
     def consume():
         return tm.gd("my_shared_value", None)
 
-Values stored with ``tm.setgd`` must be JSON-serializable (str, int, float, list,
-dict, bool, None). Non-serializable values (objects, connections, file handles…)
-are handled transparently by the local fallback described below.
-
-**Using a shared persistent subprocess (``context_id``)**
-
 When ``context_id`` is set, all ``py_func`` items that share the same identifier
-reuse the same subprocess. The subprocess is kept alive until the end of the test.
-
-This is required for non-JSON-serializable objects (e.g. a socket connection, a
-device handle). Calling ``tm.setgd`` with such a value stores it inside the
-subprocess local dictionary instead of sending it to the main process. It can then
-be retrieved with ``tm.gd`` from any subsequent call that runs in the same subprocess.
+reuse the same persistent subprocess. This allows sharing any Python object across
+calls — including objects that cannot be transmitted to other processes.
 
 .. code-block:: python
-    :caption: sharing a non-serializable object via ``context_id``
+    :caption: sharing an object via ``context_id``
 
     import py_func.tm as tm
 
-    class _Connection:          # not JSON-serializable
-        def __init__(self):
-            self.value = "open"
-
     def open_connection():
-        tm.setgd("conn", _Connection())   # stored locally in the subprocess
+        tm.setgd("conn", MyConnection())
         return "ok"
 
     def use_connection():
-        conn = tm.gd("conn")              # retrieved from the subprocess local dict
-        return conn.value
+        conn = tm.gd("conn")
+        return conn.status()
 
 .. code-block:: yaml
     :caption: ``py_func`` items sharing a persistent subprocess

doc/manual/sphinx/source/test_items/run_test_item.rst

@@ -1,16 +1,23 @@
 **run** test item
 ============================================================
 
-This test item executes a new instance of testium.
+This test item executes a new instance of testium with the specified ``.tum`` file.
+
+* In **batch mode** (``-b``): the sub-instance is started with ``-b``.
+* In **GUI mode**: the sub-instance is started with ``-r`` (run and close).
+
+The item result is **SUCCESS** if the sub-instance launched and ran to completion,
+regardless of whether the sub-tests passed or failed.
+It is **FAILURE** if the file could not be found, the sub-instance could not be
+launched, or the time window was not reached (see ``start_time`` / ``end_time``).
 
 .. code-block:: yaml
     :caption: ``run`` test item usage example
 
     - run:
         name: Execute TUM
-        tum_fime: example_cycle.tum
+        tum: example_cycle.tum
         python_bin: python3
-        testium_path: /home/francois/projets/testium-new-report/testium.pyw
         log_file: $(home)/reports/test.log
         report_file: $(home)/reports/test.rep
 
@@ -19,12 +26,12 @@ Attributes
 
 run test item has the following specific attributes:
 
-* ``tum_fime``: mandatory the path of the file to execute, it can be relative to current execution folder,
-* ``param_file`` (optional) the path of the parameter file to use, otherwise default parameter file is used.
-* ``python_bin`` (optional) the path of a specific python to run your scripts,
-* ``testium_path`` (optional) the path of a specific testium to run your scripts,
-* ``log_file`` (optional) the path of log file to register, if not provided a file is created with timestamp at the location of TUM file.
-* ``report_file`` (optional), the path of report file to create
-* ``start_time`` (optional), start time for the script execution, in HH:MM format.
-* ``end_time`` (optional), end time for an execution within a time frame, in HH:MM format.
-* ``wait_for_exec`` (optional). True or False, wait to be in the execution window defined by start_time and end_time to run the script.
+* ``tum``: mandatory, the path of the file to execute. Can be relative to the current execution folder.
+* ``param_file`` (optional): the path of the parameter file to use; otherwise the default parameter file is used.
+* ``python_bin`` (optional): the path of a specific Python interpreter to use.
+* ``testium_path`` (optional): the path of a specific testium executable to use.
+* ``log_file`` (optional): the path of the log file. In GUI mode, if not provided, a file is created with a timestamp next to the ``.tum`` file. Not used in batch mode.
+* ``report_file`` (optional): the path of the report file to create.
+* ``start_time`` (optional): earliest time to execute the sub-instance, in ``HH:MM`` format.
+* ``end_time`` (optional): latest time for execution within a time frame, in ``HH:MM`` format.
+* ``wait_for_exec`` (optional): ``true`` to wait until the time window defined by ``start_time`` and ``end_time`` is reached before running. Requires both ``start_time`` and ``end_time``.

src/lib/api.py

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ SUPPORTED_API = [
     "setgd",
     "delgd",
     "add_plot_values",
-    "last_plot_value"
+    "last_plot_value",
+    "text_mode",
 ]
 

src/lib/jrpc.py

@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ class JsonRpcConnection:
         self.recv_thread.join()
 
     def is_alive(self):
-        self.recv_thread.is_alive()
+        return self.recv_thread.is_alive()
 
     def wait_ready(self, timeout=None):
         return self._event_ready.wait(timeout)

src/lib/tum_except.py

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import traceback
 import textwrap
+from contextlib import contextmanager
 
 
 class ETUMError(Exception):
@@ -67,6 +68,28 @@ class ETUMParamError(ETUMError):
         return lines
 
 
+@contextmanager
+def item_load_context(item_type: str, item_name: str, filename: str = ""):
+    """Context manager that enriches ETUMSyntaxError with item context during loading.
+
+    Usage in test item __init__:
+        with item_load_context(self.cmd(), self.name(), self.seqFilename()):
+            self.param = self._prms.getParam("param", required=True)
+    """
+    try:
+        yield
+    except ETUMSyntaxError as e:
+        raise ETUMSyntaxError(
+            f"In '{item_type}' item named '{item_name}':\n{e._message}",
+            filename or e._file,
+        ) from e
+    except Exception as e:
+        raise ETUMSyntaxError(
+            f"In '{item_type}' item named '{item_name}':\nUnexpected error: {e}",
+            filename,
+        ) from e
+
+
 def print_exception(exc: ETUMError):
     if not isinstance(exc, ETUMError):
         print(traceback.format_exc(4))

src/py_func/tm.py

@@ -45,12 +45,21 @@ for k in SUPPORTED_API:
 ###############################################################################
 # gd/setgd/delgd with local-dict fallback for non-serializable values
 
-def gd(*params):
-    key = params[0] if params else None
-    if key is not None and key in _local_dict:
-        return _local_dict[key]
+def gd(name, default=None):
+    """Return a value from the testium global dictionary.
+
+    The value is accessible from any test item and from any ``py_func``
+    subprocess, regardless of the ``context_id`` used.
+
+    :param name: Name of the entry to retrieve.
+    :type name: str
+    :param default: Value returned when the key is absent. Defaults to ``None``.
+    :return: The stored value, or *default* if not found.
+    """
+    if name is not None and name in _local_dict:
+        return _local_dict[name]
     if _func_call_thread is not None:
-        res = _func_call_thread.call("gd", params)
+        res = _func_call_thread.call("gd", (name, default))
         if "result" in res:
             return res["result"]
         elif "error" in res:
@@ -60,14 +69,25 @@ def gd(*params):
     raise ETUMRuntimeError("api not initialized")
 
 
-def setgd(*params):
-    key = params[0] if params else None
-    value = params[1] if len(params) > 1 else None
-    if key is not None and not _is_json_serializable(value):
-        _local_dict[key] = value
+def setgd(name, value):
+    """Store a value in the testium global dictionary.
+
+    The stored value is accessible from any subsequent test item and from any
+    ``py_func`` subprocess via :func:`gd`.
+
+    When ``context_id`` is used on the ``py_func`` item, any Python object
+    (including those that cannot be transmitted to other processes) can be
+    stored and shared between calls running in the same subprocess.
+
+    :param name: Name of the entry to set.
+    :type name: str
+    :param value: Value to store.
+    """
+    if name is not None and not _is_json_serializable(value):
+        _local_dict[name] = value
         return None
     if _func_call_thread is not None:
-        res = _func_call_thread.call("setgd", params)
+        res = _func_call_thread.call("setgd", (name, value))
         if "result" in res:
             return res["result"]
         elif "error" in res:
@@ -77,13 +97,17 @@ def setgd(*params):
     raise ETUMRuntimeError("api not initialized")
 
 
-def delgd(*params):
-    key = params[0] if params else None
-    if key is not None and key in _local_dict:
-        del _local_dict[key]
+def delgd(name):
+    """Remove an entry from the testium global dictionary.
+
+    :param name: Name of the entry to remove.
+    :type name: str
+    """
+    if name is not None and name in _local_dict:
+        del _local_dict[name]
         return None
     if _func_call_thread is not None:
-        res = _func_call_thread.call("delgd", params)
+        res = _func_call_thread.call("delgd", (name,))
         if "result" in res:
             return res["result"]
         elif "error" in res:

src/testium/__init__.py

@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ def main():
         if (lf != '') or (rf != '') or (tf != '') or (pn != []):
             print('"-l", "-p", "-t", "-n" options are not supported in this mode.')
 
-        t = Terminal(os.getcwd(), cf, defines, args.no_color)
+        t = Terminal(os.getcwd(), cf, defines, args.no_color, text_mode=True)
 
         loop = 1
         while loop:
@@ -124,7 +124,8 @@ def main():
             print('"-l" option is not supported in this mode.')
 
         from interpreter.batch import Batch
-        b = Batch(tf, cf, defines, rf, args.report_type, pn, args.no_color)
+        b = Batch(tf, cf, defines, rf, args.report_type, pn, args.no_color, text_mode=True)
+        sys.exit(0 if b.success else 1)
 
     else:
         from main_win.testium_win import MainWin

src/testium/interpreter/batch.py

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import os
 import sys
 import platform
+import threading
 from time import sleep
 from signal import signal, SIGINT
 from queue import Empty
@@ -8,7 +9,7 @@ from multiprocessing import Queue
 
 from interpreter.process import TestProcess
 from interpreter.utils.test_ctrl import TestSetController
-from lib.tum_except import ETUMFileError
+from lib.tum_except import ETUMFileError, ETUMRuntimeError
 from lib.stdout_redirect import stdio_redir
 
 
@@ -22,6 +23,7 @@ class Batch:
         report_type,
         report_pattern,
         no_color,
+        text_mode=False,
     ):
         try:
             try:
@@ -51,6 +53,7 @@ class Batch:
 
                 signal(SIGINT, self.sigint_handler)
 
+                self._success = False
                 msg_queue = Queue()
                 self.tst_ctrl = TestSetController()
                 tst_proc = TestProcess(
@@ -59,11 +62,21 @@ class Batch:
                     self.tst_ctrl,
                     config_files,
                     defines,
+                    text_mode=text_mode,
                 )
                 tst_proc.start()
 
-                while not self.tst_ctrl.control("loaded"):
-                    sleep(0.1)
+                # Wait for TestProcess to finish loading.
+                # Run the blocking control("loaded") in a daemon thread so we
+                # can watch for unexpected process death in the main thread.
+                _loaded_event = threading.Event()
+                def _wait_loaded():
+                    self.tst_ctrl.control("loaded")
+                    _loaded_event.set()
+                threading.Thread(target=_wait_loaded, daemon=True).start()
+                while not _loaded_event.wait(timeout=0.1):
+                    if not tst_proc.is_alive():
+                        raise ETUMRuntimeError("TestProcess terminated unexpectedly during load")
 
                 self.tst_ctrl.control(
                     "report",
@@ -78,14 +91,18 @@ class Batch:
                 while True:
                     try:
                         m = msg_queue.get(timeout=0.2)
-                        if m.get("id", None) is None:
-                            # No id -> finished
+                        if "id" in m and m["id"] is None:
+                            # id key present and None -> finished
+                            self._success = m.get("success", False)
                             break
                     except Empty:
+                        if not tst_proc.is_alive():
+                            break
                         continue
 
                 # Close the process and wait for termination
-                self.tst_ctrl.control("close")
+                if tst_proc.is_alive():
+                    self.tst_ctrl.control("close")
                 tst_proc.join()
 
             except Exception as e:
@@ -94,5 +111,12 @@ class Batch:
         finally:
             stdio_redir.restore()
 
+    @property
+    def success(self):
+        return self._success
+
     def sigint_handler(self, signal_received, frame):
-        self.tst_ctrl.control("stop")
+        try:
+            self.tst_ctrl.control("stop", timeout=5)
+        except Exception:
+            pass

src/testium/interpreter/process.py

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import os
+import signal
 from multiprocessing import Process, Queue, Pipe
 from queue import Empty
 from threading import Thread
@@ -8,6 +9,7 @@ import copy
 from lib.string_queue import StringQueue
 from lib.tum_except import print_exception, ETUMRuntimeError, ETUMSyntaxError
 import libs.testium as tm
+import interpreter.utils.globdict as globdict
 from interpreter.utils.params import expanse
 from interpreter.utils.test_ctrl import TestSetController
 from interpreter.utils.test_init import (
@@ -40,6 +42,7 @@ class TestProcess(Process):
         config_files,
         defines,
         gui_defaults={},
+        text_mode=False,
     ) -> None:
         super().__init__()
         self.__fname = file_name
@@ -48,6 +51,7 @@ class TestProcess(Process):
         self.__cfgf = config_files
         self.__defs = defines
         self.__gui_defaults = gui_defaults  # default values coming from GUI prefs
+        self.__text_mode = text_mode
         self.__exec = False
         self.__loaded = False
         self.__closed = False
@@ -193,6 +197,7 @@ class TestProcess(Process):
 
 
     def run(self):
+        signal.signal(signal.SIGINT, signal.SIG_IGN)
         try:
             try:
                 # Thread for stdout redirection
@@ -223,6 +228,10 @@ Is the python exec path correct ?"""
                     # Load the test file
                     test_dict, param_files = self._load_test(init_param_files, glob_variables)
 
+                    if self.__text_mode:
+                        tm.setgd("_text_mode", True)
+                        tm.setgd("_interactive", False)
+
                     # Backup the global dict in case of restart of the test
                     gdict = backup_gd()
 
@@ -255,6 +264,7 @@ Is the python exec path correct ?"""
                                 try:
                                     test_run_init()
                                     print(test_run_header())
+                                    globdict.set_update_queue(self.__squeue)
                                     test_set.execute()
                                 finally:
                                     if test_set.success():
@@ -265,8 +275,16 @@ Is the python exec path correct ?"""
                                 test_set.run_post_exec()
                             finally:
                                 self.__exec = False
+                                # Stop shared context engines before restore_gd wipes them
+                                for engine in tm.gd("_py_func_contexts", {}).values():
+                                    engine.stop()
+                                    engine.join()
+                                for engine in tm.gd("_lua_func_contexts", {}).values():
+                                    engine.stop()
+                                    engine.join()
                                 # Sends signal to the GUI
-                                self.send_finished()
+                                self.send_finished(success=test_set.success())
+                                globdict.set_update_queue(None)
                                 restore_gd(gdict)
                         except Exception as e:
                             print_exception(e)
@@ -304,6 +322,9 @@ Is the python exec path correct ?"""
             "enabled_state": test_set.getEnabledState,
             "process_param": self.process_param,
             "set_test_outputs": self.set_test_outputs,
+            "get_gd_vars": self.get_gd_vars,
+            "set_gd_var": self.set_gd_var,
+            "del_gd_var": self.del_gd_var,
             "set_enabled_state": test_set.setEnabledState,
             "check_uncheck_all": test_set.checkUncheckAll,
             "get_folded": test_set.getFolded,
@@ -318,8 +339,10 @@ Is the python exec path correct ?"""
         stdio_redir.restore()
         stdio_redir.stop()
 
-    def send_finished(self):
+    def send_finished(self, success=None):
         status = {"id": None, "name": "test_process", "status": "finished"}
+        if success is not None:
+            status["success"] = success
         self.__squeue.put(status)
 
     def execute(self):
@@ -337,6 +360,25 @@ Is the python exec path correct ?"""
     def set_test_outputs(self, outputs: list):
         tm.setgd("test_outputs", outputs)
 
+    def get_gd_vars(self):
+        import json
+        result = {}
+        for k, v in globdict.global_dict.items():
+            if k.startswith("_"):
+                continue
+            try:
+                json.dumps(v)
+                result[k] = v
+            except (TypeError, ValueError):
+                pass
+        return result
+
+    def set_gd_var(self, name: str, value):
+        tm.setgd(name, value)
+
+    def del_gd_var(self, name: str):
+        tm.delgd(name)
+
     def process_control_commands(self, tctrl):
         term = False
         while (not term) and (not self.__closed):
@@ -389,7 +431,7 @@ Is the python exec path correct ?"""
             try:
                 # read the pipe data
                 data = cconn.recv()
-                print(data, end="")
+                print(data, end="", flush=True)
             except EOFError:
                 # exit the loop is the pipe is closed
                 break

src/testium/interpreter/terminal.py

@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ class Terminal(Cmd):
         cst.TYPE_CYCLE
     ]
 
-    def __init__(self, working_dir, config_files, defines, no_color):
+    def __init__(self, working_dir, config_files, defines, no_color, text_mode=False):
         super().__init__()
         self.working_dir = working_dir
         self.config_files = config_files
@@ -69,6 +69,8 @@ class Terminal(Cmd):
         # Define the builtin variables
         set_standard_gd_keys("Unnamed", self.working_dir, '', config_files)
         update_global([], defines)
+        if text_mode:
+            tm.setgd("_text_mode", True)
 
         # creation of the functions
         for tst in self.SUPPORTED_TESTS:

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/dialog_choices_files/choices_dialog.py

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ from itertools import chain
 
 from PySide6.QtGui import QIcon, QPixmap
 from PySide6.QtWidgets import QApplication, QDialog, QDialogButtonBox
-from PySide6.QtCore import Qt, QSettings, QSize
+from PySide6.QtCore import Qt, QSettings, QTimer, QSize
 from PySide6.QtGui import QFont, QFontInfo
 from PySide6.QtWidgets import QTreeWidgetItem
 
@@ -185,7 +185,9 @@ def main(args, conn=None):
     SettingsApplication = "testium_choices_dlg_" + args[0]
     SettingsLastChoices = "last_choice"
     success = True
-    app = QApplication()
+    from interpreter.test_items import dialog_env
+    dialog_env.setup()
+    app = QApplication(['testium'])
     d = ChoicesDialog()
     d.setFixedSize(800, 600)
     d.setWindowFlags(Qt.WindowStaysOnTopHint)
@@ -205,6 +207,9 @@ def main(args, conn=None):
     d.connect_checked()
 
     d.choicesView.setFocus()
+    auto_result = args[4] if len(args) > 4 else None
+    if auto_result is not None:
+        QTimer.singleShot(2000, lambda: d.accept() if auto_result.lower() == 'ok' else d.reject())
     dres = d.exec()
 
     if dres == QDialog.Rejected:

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/dialog_env.py

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+"""Qt platform environment setup for dialog subprocesses.
+
+Call setup() at the start of every dialog subprocess main() function
+to ensure the correct Qt platform plugin is selected.
+"""
+import sys
+import os
+
+
+def setup():
+    """Configure the Qt environment for dialog subprocess usage."""
+    if sys.platform.startswith('linux'):
+        # On Linux/Wayland, force X11 (via XWayland) to avoid crashes
+        # when Qt is initialized inside a multiprocessing subprocess.
+        os.environ['QT_QPA_PLATFORM'] = 'xcb'

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/dialog_image_files/dialog_image.py

@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 import sys
-import os
 
-from PySide6.QtCore import (Qt)
+from PySide6.QtCore import Qt, QTimer
 from PySide6.QtWidgets import (QApplication, QDialog)
 from PySide6 import (QtGui)
 
@@ -18,7 +17,9 @@ class TestDialogWindow(QDialog, dialog_image_win.Ui_Dialog):
 
 def main(args, conn):
     success = True
-    app = QApplication(args)
+    from interpreter.test_items import dialog_env
+    dialog_env.setup()
+    app = QApplication(['testium'])
     d = TestDialogWindow()
     d.setFixedSize(700,600)
     d.setWindowFlags(Qt.WindowStaysOnTopHint)
@@ -37,6 +38,10 @@ def main(args, conn):
 
         d.labelImage.setPixmap(QtGui.QPixmap.fromImage(image2))
 
+        auto_result = args[3] if len(args) > 3 else None
+        if auto_result is not None:
+            QTimer.singleShot(2000, lambda: d.accept() if auto_result.lower() == 'ok' else d.reject())
+
         dres = d.exec()
 
         if dres == QDialog.Rejected:

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/dialog_msg_files/msg_dialog.py

@@ -1,26 +1,32 @@
 import sys
-import os
+from multiprocessing import freeze_support
+
+from PySide6.QtWidgets import (QApplication, QMessageBox)
+from PySide6.QtCore import Qt, QTimer
 
-from PySide6.QtWidgets import (QApplication, QDialog)
-from PySide6.QtCore import (Qt)
-from PySide6.QtWidgets import QMessageBox
-from multiprocessing import  freeze_support
 
 def main(args):
-    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    reply = QMessageBox.information(None, args[0], args[1], QMessageBox.Ok)
+    from interpreter.test_items import dialog_env
+    dialog_env.setup()
+    app = QApplication(['testium'])
+    msg = QMessageBox()
+    msg.setWindowFlags(Qt.WindowStaysOnTopHint)
+    msg.setWindowTitle(args[0])
+    msg.setText(args[1])
+    msg.setIcon(QMessageBox.Information)
+    msg.setStandardButtons(QMessageBox.Ok)
+    if len(args) > 2:
+        QTimer.singleShot(2000, lambda: msg.button(QMessageBox.Ok).click())
+    msg.exec()
 
     if hasattr(sys, "frozen"):
-        #all standard streams are replaced by dummy one to avoid cx_freeze flushing bug.
         class dummyStream:
-            ''' dummyStream behaves like a stream but does nothing. '''
             def __init__(self): pass
-            def write(self,data): pass
-            def read(self,data): pass
+            def write(self, data): pass
+            def read(self, data): pass
             def flush(self): pass
             def close(self): pass
 
-        # and now redirect all default streams to this dummyStream:
         sys.stdout = dummyStream()
         sys.stderr = dummyStream()
         sys.stdin = dummyStream()
@@ -31,6 +37,3 @@ def main(args):
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
     main(sys.argv[1:])
-
-
-

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/dialog_note_files/test_dialog.py

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import sys
 import os
 
 from PySide6.QtWidgets import (QApplication, QDialog)
-from PySide6.QtCore import (Qt)
+from PySide6.QtCore import Qt, QTimer
 from interpreter.test_items.dialog_note_files import dialog_note_win
 from multiprocessing import  freeze_support
 
@@ -14,13 +14,23 @@ class TestDialogWindow(QDialog, dialog_note_win.Ui_Dialog):
 
 def main(args, conn=None):
     success = True
-    app = QApplication(args)
+    from interpreter.test_items import dialog_env
+    dialog_env.setup()
+    app = QApplication(['testium'])
     d = TestDialogWindow()
     d.setFixedSize(387,224)
     d.setWindowFlags(Qt.WindowStaysOnTopHint)
     d.setWindowTitle(args[0])
     d.labelDialog.setText(args[1])
     d.textEdit.setFocus()
+    auto_result = args[2] if len(args) > 2 else None
+    if auto_result is not None:
+        auto_value = args[3] if len(args) > 3 else None
+        def _auto_close():
+            if auto_value is not None:
+                d.textEdit.setPlainText(auto_value)
+            d.accept() if auto_result.lower() == 'ok' else d.reject()
+        QTimer.singleShot(2000, _auto_close)
     dres = d.exec()
 
     if dres == QDialog.Rejected:

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/dialog_question_files/question_dialog.py

@@ -1,29 +1,40 @@
 import sys
-import os
+from multiprocessing import freeze_support
+
+from PySide6.QtWidgets import (QApplication, QMessageBox)
+from PySide6.QtCore import Qt, QTimer
 
-from PySide6.QtWidgets import (QApplication, QDialog)
-from PySide6.QtCore import (Qt)
-from PySide6.QtWidgets import QMessageBox
-from multiprocessing import  freeze_support
 
 def main(args, conn):
-    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
-    reply = QMessageBox.question(None, args[0], args[1], QMessageBox.Yes|QMessageBox.No)
-
-    conn.send(reply)
-    conn.close()
+    try:
+        from interpreter.test_items import dialog_env
+        dialog_env.setup()
+        app = QApplication(['testium'])
+        msg = QMessageBox()
+        msg.setWindowFlags(Qt.WindowStaysOnTopHint)
+        msg.setWindowTitle(args[0])
+        msg.setText(args[1])
+        msg.setIcon(QMessageBox.Question)
+        msg.setStandardButtons(QMessageBox.Yes | QMessageBox.No)
+        auto_result = args[2] if len(args) > 2 else None
+        if auto_result is not None:
+            btn = QMessageBox.Yes if auto_result.lower() == 'yes' else QMessageBox.No
+            QTimer.singleShot(2000, lambda: msg.button(btn).click())
+        reply = msg.exec()
+        conn.send(reply)
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"dialog_question error: {e}", file=sys.stderr)
+    finally:
+        conn.close()
 
     if hasattr(sys, "frozen"):
-        #all standard streams are replaced by dummy one to avoid cx_freeze flushing bug.
         class dummyStream:
-            ''' dummyStream behaves like a stream but does nothing. '''
             def __init__(self): pass
-            def write(self,data): pass
-            def read(self,data): pass
+            def write(self, data): pass
+            def read(self, data): pass
             def flush(self): pass
             def close(self): pass
 
-        # and now redirect all default streams to this dummyStream:
         sys.stdout = dummyStream()
         sys.stderr = dummyStream()
         sys.stdin = dummyStream()

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/dialog_sleep_files/dialog_sleep.py

@@ -39,7 +39,9 @@ class DialogSleepWindow(QDialog, dialog_sleep_win.Ui_SleepDialogWindow):
 
 def main(args, conn=None):
     success = True
-    app = QApplication(sys.argv)
+    from interpreter.test_items import dialog_env
+    dialog_env.setup()
+    app = QApplication(['testium'])
     d = DialogSleepWindow()
     d.setFixedSize(379,129)
     d.setWindowFlags(Qt.WindowStaysOnTopHint)

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/dialog_value_files/test_dialog.py

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import sys
 import os
 
 from PySide6.QtWidgets import (QApplication, QDialog)
-from PySide6.QtCore import (Qt)
+from PySide6.QtCore import Qt, QTimer
 
 from interpreter.test_items.dialog_value_files import dialog_value_win
 from multiprocessing import  freeze_support
@@ -15,7 +15,9 @@ class TestDialogWindow(QDialog, dialog_value_win.Ui_Dialog):
 
 def main(args, conn=None):
     success = True
-    app = QApplication(args)
+    from interpreter.test_items import dialog_env
+    dialog_env.setup()
+    app = QApplication(['testium'])
     d = TestDialogWindow()
     d.setFixedSize(387,224)
     d.setWindowFlags(Qt.WindowStaysOnTopHint)
@@ -23,6 +25,14 @@ def main(args, conn=None):
     d.labelDialog.setText(args[1])
     d.lineEdit.setText(args[2])
     d.lineEdit.setFocus()
+    auto_result = args[3] if len(args) > 3 else None
+    if auto_result is not None:
+        auto_value = args[4] if len(args) > 4 else None
+        def _auto_close():
+            if auto_value is not None:
+                d.lineEdit.setText(auto_value)
+            d.accept() if auto_result.lower() == 'ok' else d.reject()
+        QTimer.singleShot(2000, _auto_close)
     dres = d.exec()
 
     if dres == QDialog.Rejected:

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item.py

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import libs.testium as tm
 from interpreter.utils.params import TestItemParams
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst_type
 from interpreter.utils.eval import eval_to_boolean, evaluate, post_evaluate
-from lib.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError
+from lib.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError, item_load_context
 
 LOG_TEST_STOP = '<----- step "{}" finished'
 LOG_TEST_START = '-----> step "{}" started'
@@ -101,6 +101,7 @@ class TestItem:
         self.status_queue = status_queue
         self._execute_on_stop = False
         self._post_eval = None
+        self._store_result = None
         self._expected_result = None
         self._no_fail = None
         self._is_stopped = False
@@ -131,11 +132,11 @@ class TestItem:
                 if s:
                     try:
                         self.skipped = eval_to_boolean(s)
-                    except:
+                    except Exception as e:
                         raise ETUMSyntaxError(
                             f"'{self.cmd()}' test item named '{self.name()}':\nskipped expresion can only be a static expression as it is evaluated during loading of TUM : {s}",
                             self.seqFilename(),
-                        )
+                        ) from e
                 # This allow disabling test item directly by using its name inside param.yaml file
                 elif self._name in tm.gd("skipped_test_item", []):
                     self.skipped = True
@@ -155,6 +156,9 @@ class TestItem:
                 if "process_result" in dict_item:
                     self._post_eval = dict_item["process_result"]
 
+                if "store_result" in dict_item:
+                    self._store_result = dict_item["store_result"]
+
                 if "expected_result" in dict_item:
                     self._expected_result = dict_item["expected_result"]
 
@@ -164,11 +168,13 @@ class TestItem:
                 self.banner = LOG_TEST_START.format(self._name)
                 self.footer = LOG_TEST_STOP.format(self._name)
 
-            except:
+            except ETUMSyntaxError:
+                raise
+            except Exception as e:
                 raise ETUMSyntaxError(
-                    f"The '{self.cmd()}' test item named '{self.name()}' has a missing or wrong parameter",
+                    f"The '{self.cmd()}' test item named '{self.name()}' has an unexpected loading error: {e}",
                     self.seqFilename(),
-                )
+                ) from e
 
         self.result = TestResult(self, TestValue.FAILURE, "Failure by default")
 
@@ -275,6 +281,9 @@ class TestItem:
         self.process_result()
         # expected_result treatment
         self.result_expected()
+        # Store result in a global variable if requested (before no_fail so
+        # the real outcome is captured when result.value is None)
+        self.store_result()
         # Case of the no_fail true parameter
         self.process_no_fail()
 
@@ -317,6 +326,17 @@ class TestItem:
             print(e)
             self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, "Result processing failed")
 
+    def store_result(self):
+        if self._store_result is None:
+            return
+        var_name = self._prms.expanse(self._store_result)
+        if self.result.value is None:
+            value = str(self.result.test_result)
+        else:
+            value = self.result.value
+        tm.setgd(var_name, value)
+        print(f"Stored result in '$({var_name})': {value}")
+
     def process_report(self, report_eval):
         tm.print_debug(f"Export reported values:")
         rep_eval = self._prms.expanse(report_eval)

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_check.py

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 
 from interpreter.test_items.test_item import (TestItem, test_run)
 from interpreter.test_items.test_result import TestValue
-from lib.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError
+from lib.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError, item_load_context
 import libs.testium as tm
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
 from interpreter.utils.eval import evaluate
@@ -15,21 +15,16 @@ class TestItemCheckValue(TestItem):
         super().__init__(dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)
         self._type = cst.TYPE_CHECK
         self.is_container = False
-        try:
+        with item_load_context(self.cmd(), self.name(), self.seqFilename()):
             self._action_list = self._prms.getParamAll('steps', default=[], required=False)
             if len(self._action_list) > 0:
                 tm.print_warn("'steps' argument of check test item is deprecated and is replaced by 'values'")
             self._action_list += self._prms.getParamAll('values', default=[], required=False)
             if len(self._action_list) <= 0:
                 raise ETUMSyntaxError(
-                    f" The '{self.cmd()}' test item named '{self.name()}' must have a 'values' parameter",
+                    f"Missing required 'values' parameter",
                     self.seqFilename()
                 )
-        except:
-            raise ETUMSyntaxError(
-                f"The '{self.cmd()}' test item named '{self.name()}' (a child of: '{self.parent().name()}') has a missing or wrong parameter",
-                self.seqFilename(),
-            )
 
     @test_run
     def execute(self):

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_choices_dialog.py

@@ -1,48 +1,90 @@
-from multiprocessing import Process, Pipe
-
-from interpreter.test_items.test_item import TestItem, test_run
-from interpreter.test_items.test_result import TestResult, TestValue
-from interpreter.test_items.dialog_choices_files import choices_dialog
-import libs.testium as tm
-from lib.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError
+from interpreter.test_items.test_item import test_run
+from interpreter.test_items.test_result import TestValue
+from interpreter.test_items.test_item_dialog_base import TestItemDialogBase, _is_text_mode, _is_interactive
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
+from lib.tum_except import item_load_context
+import libs.testium as tm
 
 
-class TestItemChoicesDialog(TestItem):
+class TestItemChoicesDialog(TestItemDialogBase):
     def __init__(self, dict_item, parent=None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         self._name = cst.TYPE_CHOICES_DLG.item_name
         super().__init__(dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)
         self._type = cst.TYPE_CHOICES_DLG
         self.is_container = False
-        try:
+        with item_load_context(self.cmd(), self.name(), self.seqFilename()):
             self._question = self._prms.getParam("question", required=True)
             self._choices = self._prms.getParam("choices", required=True)
-            self._default_icon = self._prms.getParam(
-                "icon", required=False, default=None
-            )
-        except:
-            raise ETUMSyntaxError(
-                f"The '{self.cmd()}' test item named '{self.name()}' (a child of: '{self.parent().name()}') has a missing or wrong parameter",
-                self.seqFilename()
-            )
+            self._default_icon = self._prms.getParam("icon", required=False, default=None)
+            self._auto_result = self._prms.getParam("auto_result", required=False, default=None)
+
+    def _print_choices(self, choices, indent=0):
+        if not isinstance(choices, list):
+            return
+        for choice in choices:
+            name = choice.get("name", "")
+            desc = choice.get("description", "")
+            line = "  " * indent + f"- {name}"
+            if desc:
+                line += f": {desc}"
+            print(line)
+            sub = choice.get("choices", None)
+            if sub:
+                self._print_choices(sub, indent + 1)
+
+    def _all_checked(self, choices):
+        result = []
+        if not isinstance(choices, list):
+            return result
+        for choice in choices:
+            item = {"name": choice.get("name", ""), "checked": True}
+            sub = choice.get("choices", None)
+            if sub is not None:
+                item["choices"] = self._all_checked(sub)
+            result.append(item)
+        return result
 
     @test_run
     def execute(self):
         q = self._prms.expanse(self._question)
         choices = self._prms.expanse(self._choices)
         icon = self._prms.expanse(self._default_icon)
-        parent_conn, child_conn = Pipe()
-        p = Process(
-            target=choices_dialog.main, args=([self.name(), q, choices, icon], child_conn)
-        )
-        p.start()
-        val, succ = parent_conn.recv()
-        p.join()
-
+        if _is_text_mode():
+            print(f"Choices: {q}")
+            self._print_choices(choices)
+            if _is_interactive():
+                ans = input("Accept all? (y/n) [default: y]: ").strip().lower()
+                if ans in ('n', 'no'):
+                    tm.delgd("cs_" + self._name)
+                    self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, "Cancelled")
+                else:
+                    val = self._all_checked(choices)
+                    self.result.value = val
+                    tm.setgd("cs_" + self._name, val)
+                    self.result.set(TestValue.SUCCESS, str(val))
+            else:
+                ar = self._prms.expanse(self._auto_result) if self._auto_result is not None else None
+                if ar is None:
+                    self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, 'Dialog not supported in batch mode')
+                elif ar == 'cancel':
+                    tm.delgd("cs_" + self._name)
+                    self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, "Cancelled")
+                else:
+                    val = self._all_checked(choices)
+                    self.result.value = val
+                    tm.setgd("cs_" + self._name, val)
+                    self.result.set(TestValue.SUCCESS, str(val))
+            return
+        from interpreter.test_items.dialog_choices_files import choices_dialog
+        ar = self._prms.expanse(self._auto_result) if self._auto_result is not None else None
+        args = [self.name(), q, choices, icon] + ([ar] if ar is not None else [])
+        result = self._run_dialog_with_result(choices_dialog.main, args)
+        if result is None:
+            self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, "Dialog subprocess exited without returning a result")
+            return
+        val, succ = result
         self.result.value = val
-
         if succ:
-            # The result of the test item is put into the global dict
             tm.setgd("cs_" + self._name, val)
             self.result.set(TestValue.SUCCESS, str(val))
         else:

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_dialog_base.py

@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+import multiprocessing
+
+import libs.testium as tm
+from interpreter.test_items.test_item import TestItem
+
+
+def _is_text_mode():
+    return tm.text_mode()
+
+
+def _is_interactive():
+    return bool(tm.gd("_interactive", True))
+
+_spawn_ctx = multiprocessing.get_context('spawn')
+
+
+class TestItemDialogBase(TestItem):
+    """Base class for test items that launch a Qt dialog in a subprocess."""
+
+    def _cleanup_process(self, p):
+        if p.is_alive():
+            p.terminate()
+            p.join(timeout=0.2)
+            if p.is_alive():
+                p.kill()
+        p.join()
+
+    def _run_dialog(self, target, args):
+        """Launch target(args) in a subprocess with no return value.
+
+        Returns the subprocess exit code.
+        """
+        p = _spawn_ctx.Process(target=target, args=(args,))
+        p.start()
+        while p.is_alive() and not self._is_stopped:
+            p.join(timeout=0.5)
+        self._cleanup_process(p)
+        return p.exitcode
+
+    def _run_dialog_with_result(self, target, args):
+        """Launch target(args, child_conn) in a subprocess and return what it sends.
+
+        Returns the received value, or None if stopped or if the subprocess crashed.
+        """
+        parent_conn, child_conn = _spawn_ctx.Pipe()
+        p = _spawn_ctx.Process(target=target, args=(args, child_conn))
+        p.start()
+        child_conn.close()
+        result = None
+        while p.is_alive() and not self._is_stopped:
+            if parent_conn.poll(0.5):
+                try:
+                    result = parent_conn.recv()
+                except EOFError:
+                    pass
+                break
+        self._cleanup_process(p)
+        return result

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_image_dialog.py

@@ -1,41 +1,29 @@
 import os
-import sys
-from multiprocessing import Process, Pipe
 
-from interpreter.test_items.test_item import TestItem, test_run
-from interpreter.test_items.test_result import TestResult, TestValue
-from interpreter.test_items.dialog_image_files import dialog_image
-import libs.testium as tm
+from interpreter.test_items.test_item import test_run
+from interpreter.test_items.test_result import TestValue
+from interpreter.test_items.test_item_dialog_base import TestItemDialogBase, _is_text_mode, _is_interactive
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
-from lib.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError
+from lib.tum_except import item_load_context
+import libs.testium as tm
 
 
-class TestItemImageDialog(TestItem):
+class TestItemImageDialog(TestItemDialogBase):
     """dialog_image item usage.
     dialog_image name: Nice image, question: could you press the red button, filename: img.jpg
     """
-
     def __init__(self, dict_item, parent=None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         self._name = cst.TYPE_IMAGE_DLG.item_name
         super().__init__(dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)
         self._type = cst.TYPE_IMAGE_DLG
         self.is_container = False
-        try:
+        with item_load_context(self.cmd(), self.name(), self.seqFilename()):
             self._question = self._prms.getParam("question", required=True)
             self._filename = self._prms.getParam("filename", required=True)
-        except:
-            raise ETUMSyntaxError(
-                f"The '{self.cmd()}' test item named '{self.name()}' has a missing or wrong parameter",
-                self.seqFilename(),
-            )
+            self._auto_result = self._prms.getParam("auto_result", required=False, default=None)
 
     @test_run
     def execute(self):
-        ourpath = __file__
-        test_file = os.path.join(
-            os.path.dirname(ourpath), "dialog_image_files", "dialog_image.py"
-        )
-
         q = self._prms.expanse(self._question)
         image_path = self._prms.expanse(self._filename)
         print("Image Displayed:\n" + q + "\n" + image_path)
@@ -43,29 +31,26 @@ class TestItemImageDialog(TestItem):
             image_path = os.path.normpath(
                 os.path.join(tm.gd("test_directory"), image_path)
             )
-
-        parent_conn, child_conn = Pipe()
-        p = Process(
-            target=dialog_image.main, args=([self.name(), q, image_path], child_conn)
-        )
-        p.start()
-        succ = parent_conn.recv()
-        p.join()
-        if succ:
+        if _is_text_mode():
+            if _is_interactive():
+                ans = input("Accept? (y/n) [default: y]: ").strip().lower()
+                self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE if ans in ('n', 'no') else TestValue.SUCCESS)
+            else:
+                ar = self._prms.expanse(self._auto_result) if self._auto_result is not None else None
+                if ar is None:
+                    self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, 'Dialog not supported in batch mode')
+                elif ar == 'cancel':
+                    self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE)
+                else:
+                    self.result.set(TestValue.SUCCESS)
+            return
+        from interpreter.test_items.dialog_image_files import dialog_image
+        ar = self._prms.expanse(self._auto_result) if self._auto_result is not None else None
+        args = [self.name(), q, image_path] + ([ar] if ar is not None else [])
+        succ = self._run_dialog_with_result(dialog_image.main, args)
+        if succ is None:
+            self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, "Dialog subprocess exited without returning a result")
+        elif succ:
             self.result.set(TestValue.SUCCESS)
         else:
             self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE)
-
-
-def mypath():
-    if hasattr(sys, "frozen"):
-        return os.path.dirname(sys.executable)
-    return os.path.dirname(__file__)
-
-
-from multiprocessing import Process
-
-if __name__ == "__main__":
-    p = Process(target=test_dialog.main, args=(["bob", "bab"],))
-    p.start()
-    p.join()

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_let.py

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import time
 
 from interpreter.test_items.test_item import (TestItem, test_run)
 from interpreter.test_items.test_result import (TestResult, TestValue)
-from lib.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError
+from lib.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError, item_load_context
 import libs.testium as tm
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
 
@@ -19,18 +19,13 @@ class TestItemLet(TestItem):
         super().__init__(dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)
         self._type = cst.TYPE_LET
         self.is_container = False
-        try:
+        with item_load_context(self.cmd(), self.name(), self.seqFilename()):
             self._values_list = self._prms.getParamAll('values', default=[], required=False)
             if len(self._values_list) <= 0:
                 raise ETUMSyntaxError(
-                    f"The '{self.cmd()}' test item named '{self.name()}' must have a 'values' parameter",
+                    f"Missing required 'values' parameter",
                     self.seqFilename(),
                 )
-        except:
-            raise ETUMSyntaxError(
-                f"The '{self.cmd()}' test item named '{self.name()}' has a missing or wrong parameter",
-                self.seqFilename(),
-            )
 
     @test_run
     def execute(self):

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_lua_func.py

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import traceback
 import pprint
 import textwrap
 
-from lib.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError, ETUMRuntimeError
+from lib.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError, ETUMRuntimeError, item_load_context
 from interpreter.test_items.test_item import TestItem, test_run
 from interpreter.test_items.test_result import TestValue
 import libs.testium as tm
@@ -26,16 +26,11 @@ class TestItemLuaFunc(TestItem):
         super().__init__(dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)
         self._type = cst.TYPE_LUA_FUNCTION
         self.is_container = False
-        try:
+        with item_load_context(self.cmd(), self.name(), self.seqFilename()):
             self.file_name = self._prms.getParam("file", required=True)
             self.func_name = self._prms.getParam("func_name", required=True)
             self.params = self._prms.getParamAll("param")
             self._context_id = self._prms.getParam("context_id", default=None, processed=False)
-        except:
-            raise ETUMSyntaxError(
-                f"The '{self.cmd()}' test item named '{self.name()}' (child of '{self.parent.name()}') has a missing or wrong parameter",
-                self.seqFilename(),
-            )
         self._lua_func_proc = LuaFuncExecEngine(tm.gd("lua_bin", ""), api_request, 10)
 
     def _get_engine(self):

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_msg_dialog.py

@@ -1,54 +1,46 @@
 import os
 import sys
-from multiprocessing import Process, Pipe
 
-from interpreter.test_items.test_item import (TestItem, test_run)
-from interpreter.test_items.test_result import (TestValue)
-from interpreter.test_items.dialog_msg_files import msg_dialog
+from interpreter.test_items.test_item import test_run
+from interpreter.test_items.test_result import TestValue
+from interpreter.test_items.test_item_dialog_base import TestItemDialogBase, _is_text_mode, _is_interactive
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
-from lib.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError
+from lib.tum_except import item_load_context
 
-class TestItemMsgDialog(TestItem):
+
+class TestItemMsgDialog(TestItemDialogBase):
     """dialog_message item usage.
     dialog_message name: Nice message, question: Open the door and press OK
     """
-    def __init__(self, dict_item, parent = None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
+    def __init__(self, dict_item, parent=None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         self._name = cst.TYPE_MESSAGE_DLG.item_name
         super().__init__(dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)
         self._type = cst.TYPE_MESSAGE_DLG
         self.is_container = False
-        try:
-            self._question = self._prms.getParam('question', required = True)
-        except:
-            raise ETUMSyntaxError(
-                f"The '{self.cmd()}' test item named '{self.name()}' has a missing or wrong parameter",
-                self.seqFilename(),
-            )
+        with item_load_context(self.cmd(), self.name(), self.seqFilename()):
+            self._question = self._prms.getParam('question', required=True)
+            self._auto_result = self._prms.getParam('auto_result', required=False, default=None)
 
     @test_run
     def execute(self):
-        ourpath = __file__
-        test_file = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(ourpath),
-                                 'dialog_msg_files',
-                                 'msg_dialog.py')
-
         q = self._prms.expanse(self._question)
         print("Message Displayed:\n" + q)
-        parent_conn, child_conn = Pipe()
-        p=Process(target=msg_dialog.main,
-                    args=([self.name(), q],))
-        p.start()
-        p.join()
-        self.result.set(TestValue.SUCCESS)
-
-def mypath():
-    if hasattr(sys, "frozen"):
-        return os.path.dirname(sys.executable)
-    return os.path.dirname(__file__)
-
-from multiprocessing import Process
-
-if __name__=='__main__':
-    p=Process(target=msg_dialog.main,  args=(['bob', 'bab'],))
-    p.start()
-    p.join()
+        if _is_text_mode():
+            if _is_interactive():
+                input("Press Enter to continue...")
+                self.result.set(TestValue.SUCCESS)
+            else:
+                ar = self._prms.expanse(self._auto_result) if self._auto_result is not None else None
+                if ar is not None:
+                    self.result.set(TestValue.SUCCESS)
+                else:
+                    self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, 'Dialog not supported in batch mode')
+            return
+        from interpreter.test_items.dialog_msg_files import msg_dialog
+        ar = self._prms.expanse(self._auto_result) if self._auto_result is not None else None
+        args = [self.name(), q] + ([ar] if ar is not None else [])
+        exitcode = self._run_dialog(msg_dialog.main, args)
+        if exitcode == 0:
+            self.result.set(TestValue.SUCCESS)
+        else:
+            self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, f"Dialog subprocess exited with code {exitcode}")

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_note_dialog.py

@@ -1,42 +1,67 @@
-import os
-import sys
-from multiprocessing import Process, Pipe
-
-from interpreter.test_items.test_item import (TestItem, test_run)
-from interpreter.test_items.test_result import (TestResult, TestValue)
-from interpreter.test_items.dialog_note_files import test_dialog
-from lib.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError
-import libs.testium as tm
+from interpreter.test_items.test_item import test_run
+from interpreter.test_items.test_result import TestValue
+from interpreter.test_items.test_item_dialog_base import TestItemDialogBase, _is_text_mode, _is_interactive
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
+from lib.tum_except import item_load_context
+import libs.testium as tm
 
-class TestItemNoteDialog(TestItem):
-    def __init__(self, dict_item, parent = None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
+
+class TestItemNoteDialog(TestItemDialogBase):
+    def __init__(self, dict_item, parent=None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         self._name = cst.TYPE_NOTE_DLG.item_name
         super().__init__(dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)
         self._type = cst.TYPE_NOTE_DLG
         self.is_container = False
-        try:
-            self._question = self._prms.getParam('question', required = True)
-        except:
-            raise ETUMSyntaxError(
-                f"The '{self.cmd()}' test item named '{self.name()}' has a missing or wrong parameter",
-                self.seqFilename(),
-            )
+        with item_load_context(self.cmd(), self.name(), self.seqFilename()):
+            self._question = self._prms.getParam('question', required=True)
+            self._auto_result = self._prms.getParam('auto_result', required=False, default=None)
+            self._auto_value = self._prms.getParam('auto_value', required=False, default=None)
 
     @test_run
     def execute(self):
-        ourpath = __file__
-        test_file = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(ourpath),
-                                 'dialog_note_files',
-                                 'test_dialog.py')
-
         q = self._prms.expanse(self._question)
         print("Question:\n" + q)
-        parent_conn, child_conn = Pipe()
-        p=Process(target=test_dialog.main,  args=([self.name(), q],child_conn))
-        p.start()
-        val, succ = parent_conn.recv()
-        p.join()
+        if _is_text_mode():
+            if _is_interactive():
+                print("Enter your note (type '.' on a new line to finish, empty line to cancel):")
+                lines = []
+                while True:
+                    line = input()
+                    if line == '.':
+                        break
+                    lines.append(line)
+                val = '\n'.join(lines)
+            else:
+                ar = self._prms.expanse(self._auto_result) if self._auto_result is not None else None
+                av = self._prms.expanse(self._auto_value) if self._auto_value is not None else None
+                if ar is None:
+                    self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, 'Dialog not supported in batch mode')
+                    return
+                if ar == 'cancel':
+                    self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, 'Dialog cancelled')
+                    return
+                val = av if av is not None else ''
+            tm.setgd(self.name(), val)
+            print("\n" + ("-" * 80) + "\n")
+            print("- Test note\n")
+            print("-" * 80 + "\n")
+            print(val)
+            print("-" * 80 + "\n")
+            self.result.reported = {'note': val}
+            if val:
+                self.result.set(TestValue.SUCCESS, val)
+            else:
+                self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, val)
+            return
+        from interpreter.test_items.dialog_note_files import test_dialog
+        ar = self._prms.expanse(self._auto_result) if self._auto_result is not None else None
+        av = self._prms.expanse(self._auto_value) if self._auto_value is not None else None
+        args = [self.name(), q] + ([ar, av] if ar is not None else [])
+        result = self._run_dialog_with_result(test_dialog.main, args)
+        if result is None:
+            self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, "Dialog subprocess exited without returning a result")
+            return
+        val, succ = result
         tm.setgd(self.name(), val)
         print("\n" + ("-" * 80) + "\n")
         print("- Test note\n")
@@ -48,15 +73,3 @@ class TestItemNoteDialog(TestItem):
             self.result.set(TestValue.SUCCESS, val)
         else:
             self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, val)
-
-def mypath():
-    if hasattr(sys, "frozen"):
-        return os.path.dirname(sys.executable)
-    return os.path.dirname(__file__)
-
-from multiprocessing import Process
-
-if __name__=='__main__':
-    p=Process(target=test_dialog.main,  args=(['bob', 'bab'],))
-    p.start()
-    p.join()

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_py_func.py

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import time
 import pprint
 import textwrap
 
-from lib.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError, ETUMRuntimeError
+from lib.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError, ETUMRuntimeError, item_load_context
 from interpreter.test_items.test_item import TestItem, test_run
 from interpreter.test_items.test_result import TestValue
 import libs.testium as tm
@@ -26,16 +26,11 @@ class TestItemPyFunc(TestItem):
         super().__init__(dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)
         self._type = cst.TYPE_PY_FUNCTION
         self.is_container = False
-        try:
+        with item_load_context(self.cmd(), self.name(), self.seqFilename()):
             self.file_name = self._prms.getParam("file", required=True)
             self.func_name = self._prms.getParam("func_name", required=True)
             self.params = self._prms.getParamAll("param")
             self._context_id = self._prms.getParam("context_id", default=None, processed=False)
-        except:
-            raise ETUMSyntaxError(
-                f"The '{self.cmd()}' test item named '{self.name()}' (child of '{self.parent.name()}') has a missing or wrong parameter",
-                self.seqFilename(),
-            )
         self._py_func_proc = PyFuncExecEngine(tm.gd("python_bin", ""), api_request, 10)
 
     def _get_engine(self):

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_question_dialog.py

@@ -1,62 +1,58 @@
-import os
-import sys
-from multiprocessing import Process, Pipe
-
-from PySide6.QtWidgets import QMessageBox
-
-from interpreter.test_items.test_item import (TestItem, test_run)
-from interpreter.test_items.test_result import (TestResult, TestValue)
-from interpreter.test_items.dialog_question_files import question_dialog
-from lib.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError
+from interpreter.test_items.test_item import test_run
+from interpreter.test_items.test_result import TestValue
+from interpreter.test_items.test_item_dialog_base import TestItemDialogBase, _is_text_mode, _is_interactive
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
+from lib.tum_except import item_load_context
 
-class TestItemQuestionDialog(TestItem):
+
+class TestItemQuestionDialog(TestItemDialogBase):
     """dialog_question item usage.
     dialog_question name: Nice question, question: "If OK, press OK, If not, press cancel"
     """
-    def __init__(self, dict_item, parent = None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
+    def __init__(self, dict_item, parent=None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         self._name = cst.TYPE_QUESTION_DLG.item_name
         super().__init__(dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)
         self._type = cst.TYPE_QUESTION_DLG
         self.is_container = False
-        try:
-            self._question = self._prms.getParam('question', required = True)
-        except:
-            raise ETUMSyntaxError(
-                f"The '{self.cmd()}' test item named '{self.name()}' has a missing or wrong parameter",
-                self.seqFilename(),
-            )
+        with item_load_context(self.cmd(), self.name(), self.seqFilename()):
+            self._question = self._prms.getParam('question', required=True)
+            self._auto_result = self._prms.getParam('auto_result', required=False, default=None)
 
     @test_run
     def execute(self):
-        ourpath = __file__
-        test_file = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(ourpath),
-                                 'dialog_question_files',
-                                 'question_dialog.py')
-
         q = self._prms.expanse(self._question)
         print('Question asked:\n' + q + '\n')
-        parent_conn, child_conn = Pipe()
-        p=Process(target=question_dialog.main,
-                    args=([self.name(), q],child_conn))
-        p.start()
-        succ = parent_conn.recv()
-        p.join()
+        if _is_text_mode():
+            if _is_interactive():
+                ans = input("Answer yes (y) or no (n) [default: y]: ").strip().lower()
+                if ans in ('n', 'no'):
+                    self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE)
+                    print('Answer:    NO\n')
+                else:
+                    self.result.set(TestValue.SUCCESS)
+                    print('Answer:    YES\n')
+            else:
+                ar = self._prms.expanse(self._auto_result) if self._auto_result is not None else None
+                if ar is None:
+                    self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, 'Dialog not supported in batch mode')
+                elif ar in ('no', 'cancel'):
+                    self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE)
+                    print('Answer:    NO\n')
+                else:
+                    self.result.set(TestValue.SUCCESS)
+                    print('Answer:    YES\n')
+            return
+        from interpreter.test_items.dialog_question_files import question_dialog
+        ar = self._prms.expanse(self._auto_result) if self._auto_result is not None else None
+        args = [self.name(), q] + ([ar] if ar is not None else [])
+        succ = self._run_dialog_with_result(question_dialog.main, args)
+        if succ is None:
+            self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, "Dialog subprocess exited without returning a result")
+            return
+        from PySide6.QtWidgets import QMessageBox
         if succ == QMessageBox.Yes:
             self.result.set(TestValue.SUCCESS)
             print('Answer:    YES\n')
         else:
             self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE)
             print('Answer:    NO\n')
-
-def mypath():
-    if hasattr(sys, "frozen"):
-        return os.path.dirname(sys.executable)
-    return os.path.dirname(__file__)
-
-from multiprocessing import Process
-
-if __name__=='__main__':
-    p=Process(target=test_dialog.main,  args=(['bob', 'bab'],))
-    p.start()
-    p.join()

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_run.py

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ from interpreter.test_items.test_item import (TestItem, test_run)
 from interpreter.test_items.test_result import (TestValue)
 import libs.testium as tm
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
-from lib.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError, ETUMRuntimeError
+from lib.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError, ETUMRuntimeError, item_load_context
 
 
 def nowInBetween(start, end):
@@ -30,8 +30,8 @@ class TestItemRun(TestItem):
         super().__init__(dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)
         self._type = cst.TYPE_RUN
         self.is_container = False
-        try:
-            self.tum_fime = self._prms.getParam('tum_fime', required=True)
+        with item_load_context(self.cmd(), self.name(), self.seqFilename()):
+            self.tum_file = self._prms.getParam('tum', required=True)
             self.param_file = self._prms.getParam('param_file', default='')
             self.python_bin = self._prms.getParam('python_bin', default='')
             self.testium_path = self._prms.getParam('testium_path', default='')
@@ -40,47 +40,46 @@ class TestItemRun(TestItem):
             self.start_time = self._prms.getParam('start_time')
             self.end_time = self._prms.getParam('end_time')
             self.wait_for_exec = self._prms.getParam('wait_for_exec')
-        except:
-            raise ETUMSyntaxError(
-                f"The '{self.cmd()}' test item named '{self.name()}' has a missing or wrong parameter",
-                self.seqFilename(),
-            )
 
     @test_run
     def execute(self):
-        res = -1
         try:
-            file_path = self._prms.expanse(self.tum_fime)
+            file_path = self._prms.expanse(self.tum_file)
             if not os.path.exists(file_path) and not os.path.isabs(file_path):
-                file_path = os.path.join(tm.gd('test_directory'), self.tum_fime)
+                file_path = os.path.join(tm.gd('test_directory'), file_path)
             if not os.path.isfile(file_path):
                 raise ETUMRuntimeError(
                     '"{}" file could not be found'.format(file_path))
-            self.tum_fime = file_path
+            self.tum_file = file_path
             pf = self._prms.expanse(self.param_file)
             pp = self._prms.expanse(self.python_bin)
             sp = self._prms.expanse(self.testium_path)
             lp = self._prms.expanse(self.log_path)
             rp = self._prms.expanse(self.report_path)
             cmd = []
+            if sp == '':
+                sp = sys.argv[0]
             if pp != '':
                 cmd.append(pp)
-            if sp == '':
-                sp = os.path.join(tm.get_main_dir(), "testium.pyw")
+            elif not os.path.isfile(sp) or not os.access(sp, os.X_OK):
+                cmd.append(sys.executable)
             cmd.append(sp)
-            if lp == '':
-                lp = os.path.splitext(self.tum_fime)[0] + "_" + \
-                    datetime.utcnow().isoformat(timespec='seconds') + '.log'
-            cmd.append("-r")
+            if tm.text_mode():
+                cmd.append("-b")
+            else:
+                cmd.append("-r")
+                if lp == '':
+                    lp = os.path.splitext(self.tum_file)[0] + "_" + \
+                        datetime.utcnow().isoformat(timespec='seconds') + '.log'
+                cmd.append("-l")
+                cmd.append('"' + lp + '"')
             if pf != '':
                 cmd.append("-c")
                 cmd.append('"' + pf + '"')
-            cmd.append("-l")
-            cmd.append('"' + lp + '"')
             if rp != '':
                 cmd.append("-p")
                 cmd.append('"' + rp + '"')
-            cmd.append(self.tum_fime)
+            cmd.append(self.tum_file)
             for c in cmd:
                 print(c, end = ' ')
 
@@ -95,31 +94,23 @@ class TestItemRun(TestItem):
                 raise ETUMRuntimeError(
                     '"wait_for_exec" set but not start_time or end_time')
 
+            r = None
             if self.wait_for_exec:
                 while not nowInBetween(self.start_time, self.end_time):
                     sleep(60)
-                r = subprocess.run(
-                    cmd, stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE)
+                r = subprocess.run(cmd)
             elif self.start_time is not None and self.end_time is not None:
                 if nowInBetween(self.start_time, self.end_time):
-                    r = subprocess.run(
-                        cmd, stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE)
+                    r = subprocess.run(cmd)
             elif self.start_time is not None:
                 if self.start_time < datetime.now().time():
-                    r = subprocess.run(
-                        cmd, stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE)
+                    r = subprocess.run(cmd)
             else:
-                r = subprocess.run(
-                    cmd, stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE)
+                r = subprocess.run(cmd)
             if isinstance(r, subprocess.CompletedProcess):
-                print((r.stdout).decode())
-                print(r.stderr.decode())
-                res = r.returncode
-            if res >= 0:
                 self.result.set(TestValue.SUCCESS)
             else:
-                self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE,
-                                'Test execution returned negative value.')
+                self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, 'Sub-test did not execute')
         except:
             traceback.print_exception(*sys.exc_info())
             self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, 'Unrecoverable "run" item error')

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_runtime_plot.py

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import traceback
 from functools import wraps
 
 import libs.testium as tm
-from lib.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError
+from lib.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError, item_load_context
 from interpreter.test_items.test_item import TestItem, test_run
 from interpreter.test_items.test_result import TestResult, TestValue
 from interpreter.test_items.item_actions import TestItemActions
@@ -108,17 +108,12 @@ class TestItemPlotActionPeriodic(TestItemPlotAction):
         )
 
         # Periodic function call
-        try:
+        with item_load_context(self.cmd(), self.name(), self.seqFilename()):
             self.period = self._prms.getParam("period", required=True)
             self.file_name = self._prms.getParam("file", required=True)
             self.func_name = self._prms.getParam("func_name", required=True)
             self.params = self._prms.getParamAll("param")
             self.post_eval = self._prms.getParam("eval", default="")
-        except:
-            raise ETUMSyntaxError(
-                f"The '{self.cmd()}' test item named '{self.name()}' 'periodic' action settings syntax error",
-                self.seqFilename(),
-            )
 
     @test_run
     def execute(self):

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_sleep.py

@@ -3,11 +3,11 @@ from time import sleep
 from datetime import timedelta
 from multiprocessing import Process, Pipe
 
+import libs.testium as tm
 from interpreter.test_items.test_item import (TestItem, test_run)
 from interpreter.test_items.test_result import (TestValue)
-from interpreter.test_items.dialog_sleep_files import dialog_sleep
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
-from lib.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError, ETUMRuntimeError
+from lib.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError, ETUMRuntimeError, item_load_context
 
 class TestItemSleep(TestItem):
     """sleep item usage.
@@ -19,14 +19,9 @@ class TestItemSleep(TestItem):
         super().__init__(dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)
         self._type = cst.TYPE_SLEEP
         self.is_container = False
-        try:
-            self._timeout = self._prms.getParam('timeout', required = True)
+        with item_load_context(self.cmd(), self.name(), self.seqFilename()):
+            self._timeout = self._prms.getParam('timeout', required=True)
             self._has_dialog = self._prms.getParam('dialog', default=False)
-        except:
-            raise ETUMSyntaxError(
-                f"The '{self.cmd()}' test item named '{self.name()}' has a missing or wrong parameter",
-                self.seqFilename(),
-            )
 
     @test_run
     def execute(self):
@@ -48,6 +43,20 @@ class TestItemSleep(TestItem):
 
         #test core function
         if has_dialog:
+            if tm.text_mode():
+                import time as _time
+                print(f"Sleep {timeout}s (press Ctrl+C to abort)...")
+                end_time = _time.time() + float(timeout)
+                while _time.time() < end_time and not self._is_stopped:
+                    sleep(0.2)
+                if self._is_stopped:
+                    print("Aborted")
+                    self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, 'Sleep aborted')
+                else:
+                    self.result.set(TestValue.SUCCESS, f'Sleep {timeout} sec')
+                return
+
+            from interpreter.test_items.dialog_sleep_files import dialog_sleep
             parent_conn, child_conn = Pipe()
             p=Process(target=dialog_sleep.main,  args=([self.name(), timeout],child_conn))
             p.start()

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_tested_references.py

@@ -1,59 +1,72 @@
-import os
-import sys
-from multiprocessing import Process, Pipe
-
-from interpreter.test_items.test_item import (TestItem, test_run)
-from interpreter.test_items.test_result import (TestResult, TestValue)
-from interpreter.test_items.tested_references_files import tested_refs_dialog
-import libs.testium as tm
-from lib.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError
+from interpreter.test_items.test_item import test_run
+from interpreter.test_items.test_result import TestValue
+from interpreter.test_items.test_item_dialog_base import TestItemDialogBase, _is_text_mode, _is_interactive
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
+from lib.tum_except import item_load_context
+import libs.testium as tm
 
-class TestItemTestedRefsDialog(TestItem):
+
+class TestItemTestedRefsDialog(TestItemDialogBase):
     def __init__(self, dict_item, parent=None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         self._name = cst.TYPE_REFERENCE_DLG.item_name
         super().__init__(dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)
         self._type = cst.TYPE_REFERENCE_DLG
         self.is_container = False
-        try:
+        with item_load_context(self.cmd(), self.name(), self.seqFilename()):
             self._question = self._prms.getParam('question', required=True)
             self._init_values = self._prms.getParamAll('reference', required=False, processed=True)
-        except:
-            raise ETUMSyntaxError(
-                f"The '{self.cmd()}' test item named '{self.name()}' has a missing or wrong parameter",
-                self.seqFilename(),
-            )
+            self._auto_result = self._prms.getParam('auto_result', required=False, default=None)
 
     @test_run
     def execute(self):
-        ourpath=__file__
-        test_file=os.path.join(os.path.dirname(ourpath),
-                                 'tested_references_files',
-                                 'tested_refs_dialog.py')
+        q = self._prms.expanse(self._question)
+        init_values = ','.join(self._init_values)
+        if _is_text_mode():
+            print(f"References: {q}")
+            rows = init_values.split(',') if init_values else ['']
+            result_rows = []
+            for i, row in enumerate(rows):
+                parts = (row.split('/') + ['', '', ''])[:3]
+                if _is_interactive():
+                    ref = input(f"Row {i+1} - Reference [{parts[0]}]: ").strip() or parts[0]
+                    rev = input(f"Row {i+1} - Revision  [{parts[1]}]: ").strip() or parts[1]
+                    serial = input(f"Row {i+1} - Serial    [{parts[2]}]: ").strip() or parts[2]
+                else:
+                    ref, rev, serial = parts[0], parts[1], parts[2]
+                result_rows.append(f"{ref}/{rev}/{serial}")
+            val = ','.join(result_rows)
+            if _is_interactive():
+                succ = True
+            else:
+                ar = self._prms.expanse(self._auto_result) if self._auto_result is not None else None
+                if ar is None:
+                    self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, 'Dialog not supported in batch mode')
+                    return
+                succ = ar != 'cancel'
+            result = [val, succ]
+        else:
+            from interpreter.test_items.tested_references_files import tested_refs_dialog
+            ar = self._prms.expanse(self._auto_result) if self._auto_result is not None else None
+            args = [self.name(), q, init_values] + ([ar] if ar is not None else [])
+            result = self._run_dialog_with_result(tested_refs_dialog.main, args)
+        if result is None:
+            self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, "Dialog subprocess exited without returning a result")
+            return
+        val, succ = result
 
-        q=self._prms.expanse(self._question)
-        parent_conn, child_conn=Pipe()
-        init_values=','.join(self._init_values)
-        p=Process(target=tested_refs_dialog.main,
-                    args=([self.name(), q, init_values],
-                        child_conn))
-        p.start()
-        val, succ=parent_conn.recv()
-        p.join()
-
-        titems=[]
+        titems = []
         if len(val) > 0:
             i = 0
             for sitem in val.split(','):
-                titem={}
-                telems=sitem.split('/')
-                titem['reference']=telems[0]
-                titem['revision']=telems[1]
-                titem['serial']=telems[2]
+                titem = {}
+                telems = sitem.split('/')
+                titem['reference'] = telems[0]
+                titem['revision'] = telems[1]
+                titem['serial'] = telems[2]
                 print("Identification:\n" + str(titem))
                 titems.append(titem)
                 self.result.reported = {'reference_{}'.format(i): titem}
-                i = i + 1
+                i += 1
         self.result.value = titems
         tm.setgd('tested_items', titems)
         if len(val) > 0:
@@ -63,15 +76,3 @@ class TestItemTestedRefsDialog(TestItem):
                 self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, val)
         else:
             self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, 'The dialog did not return any value')
-
-def mypath():
-    if hasattr(sys, "frozen"):
-        return os.path.dirname(sys.executable)
-    return os.path.dirname(__file__)
-
-from multiprocessing import Process
-
-if __name__ == '__main__':
-    p=Process(target=test_dialog.main,  args=(['bob', 'bab'],))
-    p.start()
-    p.join()

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/test_item_value_dialog.py

@@ -1,47 +1,66 @@
-import os
-import sys
-from multiprocessing import Process, Pipe
-
-from interpreter.test_items.test_item import (TestItem, test_run)
-from interpreter.test_items.test_result import (TestResult, TestValue)
-from interpreter.test_items.dialog_value_files import test_dialog
-import libs.testium as tm
-from lib.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError
+from interpreter.test_items.test_item import test_run
+from interpreter.test_items.test_result import TestValue
+from interpreter.test_items.test_item_dialog_base import TestItemDialogBase, _is_text_mode, _is_interactive
 from interpreter.utils.constants import TestItemType as cst
+from lib.tum_except import item_load_context
+import libs.testium as tm
 
-class TestItemValueDialog(TestItem):
+
+class TestItemValueDialog(TestItemDialogBase):
     """dialog_value item usage.
     dialog_value name: Enter value, question: "Which value did you measure?"
     """
-    def __init__(self, dict_item, parent = None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
+    def __init__(self, dict_item, parent=None, status_queue=None, filename=""):
         self._name = cst.TYPE_VALUE_DLG.item_name
         super().__init__(dict_item, parent, status_queue, filename=filename)
         self._type = cst.TYPE_VALUE_DLG
         self.is_container = False
-        try:
-            self._question = self._prms.getParam('question', required = True)
+        with item_load_context(self.cmd(), self.name(), self.seqFilename()):
+            self._question = self._prms.getParam('question', required=True)
             self._default = self._prms.getParam('default', '')
-        except:
-            raise ETUMSyntaxError(
-                f"The '{self.cmd()}' test item named '{self.name()}' has a missing or wrong parameter",
-                self.seqFilename(),
-            )
+            self._auto_result = self._prms.getParam('auto_result', required=False, default=None)
+            self._auto_value = self._prms.getParam('auto_value', required=False, default=None)
 
     @test_run
     def execute(self):
-        ourpath = __file__
-        test_file = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(ourpath),
-                                 'dialog_value_files',
-                                 'test_dialog.py')
-
         q = self._prms.expanse(self._question)
         d = self._prms.expanse(self._default)
         print("Question:\n" + q)
-        parent_conn, child_conn = Pipe()
-        p=Process(target=test_dialog.main,  args=([self.name(), q, d],child_conn))
-        p.start()
-        val, succ = parent_conn.recv()
-        p.join()
+        if _is_text_mode():
+            if _is_interactive():
+                prompt = f"Enter value [{d}]: " if d else "Enter value: "
+                ans = input(prompt).strip()
+            else:
+                ar = self._prms.expanse(self._auto_result) if self._auto_result is not None else None
+                av = self._prms.expanse(self._auto_value) if self._auto_value is not None else None
+                if ar is None:
+                    print("Answer: \nDialog not supported in batch mode")
+                    self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, 'Dialog not supported in batch mode')
+                    return
+                if ar == 'cancel':
+                    print("Answer: \nDialog cancelled")
+                    self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, 'Dialog cancelled')
+                    return
+                ans = av if av is not None else ''
+            val = ans if ans else d
+            tm.setgd(self.name(), val)
+            print("Answer: " + str(val))
+            if val:
+                self.result.reported = {'question': q, 'answer': val}
+                self.result.value = val
+                self.result.set(TestValue.SUCCESS, val)
+            else:
+                self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, 'No value entered')
+            return
+        from interpreter.test_items.dialog_value_files import test_dialog
+        ar = self._prms.expanse(self._auto_result) if self._auto_result is not None else None
+        av = self._prms.expanse(self._auto_value) if self._auto_value is not None else None
+        args = [self.name(), q, d] + ([ar, av] if ar is not None else [])
+        result = self._run_dialog_with_result(test_dialog.main, args)
+        if result is None:
+            self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, "Dialog subprocess exited without returning a result")
+            return
+        val, succ = result
         tm.setgd(self.name(), val)
         print("Answer: " + val)
         if len(val) > 0:
@@ -53,15 +72,3 @@ class TestItemValueDialog(TestItem):
                 self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, val)
         else:
             self.result.set(TestValue.FAILURE, 'The dialog did not return any value')
-
-def mypath():
-    if hasattr(sys, "frozen"):
-        return os.path.dirname(sys.executable)
-    return os.path.dirname(__file__)
-
-from multiprocessing import Process
-
-if __name__=='__main__':
-    p=Process(target=test_dialog.main,  args=(['bob', 'bab'],))
-    p.start()
-    p.join()

src/testium/interpreter/test_items/tested_references_files/tested_refs_dialog.py

@@ -1,9 +1,8 @@
 import sys
-import os
 from multiprocessing import freeze_support
 
 from PySide6.QtWidgets import (QApplication, QDialog, QTableWidgetItem)
-from PySide6.QtCore import (Qt, QSettings)
+from PySide6.QtCore import Qt, QSettings, QTimer
 
 try:
     from interpreter.test_items.tested_references_files import tested_refs_win
@@ -20,7 +19,9 @@ def main(args, conn=None):
     SettingsApplication = 'testium_ref_item'
     SettingsLastReference = 'lastReference'
     success = True
-    app = QApplication(args)
+    from interpreter.test_items import dialog_env
+    dialog_env.setup()
+    app = QApplication(['testium'])
     d = TestedRefsWindow()
     d.setFixedSize(481,386)
     d.setWindowFlags(Qt.WindowStaysOnTopHint)
@@ -51,6 +52,9 @@ def main(args, conn=None):
         i += 1
 
     d.tableReferences.setFocus()
+    auto_result = args[3] if len(args) > 3 else None
+    if auto_result is not None:
+        QTimer.singleShot(2000, lambda: d.accept() if auto_result.lower() == 'ok' else d.reject())
     dres = d.exec()
 
     if dres == QDialog.Rejected:

src/testium/interpreter/test_set.py

@@ -3,9 +3,7 @@ import datetime
 from queue import Queue
 from interpreter.utils.params import expanse
 import libs.testium as tm
-from lib.tum_except import (
-    ETUMSyntaxError,
-)
+from lib.tum_except import ETUMSyntaxError
 import interpreter.utils.settings as prefs
 from interpreter.test_report.test_report import TestReport
 from interpreter.utils.py_func_exec import PyFuncExecEngine
@@ -19,6 +17,17 @@ from interpreter.test_items.item_actions import TestItemActions
 from interpreter.test_items.test_result import TestValue
 
 
+def _build_item_path(item) -> str:
+    """Build a breadcrumb path like 'main > Group > sub-group' from an item to root."""
+    parts = []
+    current = item
+    while current is not None:
+        name = current.name()
+        parts.append(name if name else f"[{current.type()}]")
+        current = current.parent()
+    return " > ".join(reversed(parts))
+
+
 class TestSet:
     def __init__(
         self,
@@ -479,12 +488,19 @@ class TestSet:
                         action_name = cst.FOLDED_CHAR + it.item_cmd
 
                     seq_filename = action[action_name]["seq_filename"]
-                    item = (it.item_class)(
-                        action[action_name],
-                        tree_parent,
-                        self.status_queue,
-                        filename=seq_filename
-                    )
+                    try:
+                        item = (it.item_class)(
+                            action[action_name],
+                            tree_parent,
+                            self.status_queue,
+                            filename=seq_filename
+                        )
+                    except ETUMSyntaxError as e:
+                        path = _build_item_path(tree_parent)
+                        raise ETUMSyntaxError(
+                            f"In: {path}\n{e._message}",
+                            e._file or seq_filename,
+                        ) from e
                     item.is_folded = is_folded
                     child = {}
                     # case where the test item loads itself its descendants

src/testium/interpreter/utils/globdict.py

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import json
 from threading import Lock
 
 
@@ -5,6 +6,30 @@ global_dict = {}
 
 global_dict_lock = Lock()
 
+_update_queue = None
+
+
+def set_update_queue(q):
+    global _update_queue
+    _update_queue = q
+
+
+def _push_update(key, value):
+    if _update_queue is None or key.startswith("_"):
+        return
+    try:
+        json.dumps(value)
+        _update_queue.put({"type": "gd_update", "key": key, "value": value})
+    except (TypeError, ValueError):
+        pass
+
+
+def _push_delete(key):
+    if _update_queue is None or key.startswith("_"):
+        return
+    _update_queue.put({"type": "gd_delete", "key": key})
+
+
 # Global dictionnary helper functions
 def gd(name, default=None):
     ''' Function which returns a variable from the global dictionary of testium
@@ -31,6 +56,7 @@ def setgd(name, value):
     '''
     with global_dict_lock:
         global_dict.update({name: value})
+    _push_update(name, value)
 
 def delgd(name):
     ''' Function which removes a variable from the global dictionary of testium
@@ -44,6 +70,7 @@ def delgd(name):
             del global_dict[name]
         except:
             pass
+    _push_delete(name)
 
 def cleargd():
     with global_dict_lock:

src/testium/interpreter/utils/lua_process.py

@@ -189,7 +189,13 @@ class LuaProcessBase:
         if tm.debug_enabled() and tm.gd("debug_rpc", False):
             params.append("--verbose")
 
-        self._process = subprocess.Popen(params, env=env, cwd=func_proc_path)
+        self._process = subprocess.Popen(
+            params, env=env, cwd=func_proc_path,
+            stdin=subprocess.DEVNULL,
+            stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL,
+            stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL,
+            restore_signals=False,
+        )
 
         self._rpc = JsonRpcClient(
             "localhost", self._port, req_handler=self._req_handler

src/testium/interpreter/utils/py_process.py

@@ -158,7 +158,13 @@ class PyProcessBase:
         if tm.debug_enabled() and tm.gd("debug_rpc", False):
             params.append("-v")
 
-        self._process = subprocess.Popen(params, env=env, cwd=func_proc_path)
+        self._process = subprocess.Popen(
+            params, env=env, cwd=func_proc_path,
+            stdin=subprocess.DEVNULL,
+            stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL,
+            stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL,
+            restore_signals=False,
+        )
 
         self._rpc = JsonRpcClient(
             "localhost", self._port, req_handler=self._req_handler

src/testium/interpreter/utils/termlog.py

@@ -1,32 +1,102 @@
-import colorama
+import os
 import re
+import sys
 
+import colorama
 from colorama import Fore, Style
 
-COLOR_DEFAULT = Fore.WHITE
-COLOR_RESET = Fore.RESET + Style.RESET_ALL + COLOR_DEFAULT
 
+def _detect_dark_background() -> bool:
+    """Detect whether the terminal has a dark background.
 
-def colored_string(string: str, inputs: list) -> None:
-    """Function which calculate the coloring of strings with many layers.
-    Overlap of layers and inner layers are managed.
+    Tries the following methods in order:
+    1. ``COLORFGBG`` environment variable (Konsole, rxvt, …)
+    2. OSC 11 terminal query — reads the actual background colour from the
+       terminal emulator (xterm, VTE, kitty, WezTerm, …)
+    3. ``darkdetect`` module — OS-level dark-mode preference (optional dep)
+
+    Returns ``True`` for a dark background (default assumption).
     """
-    cols = [COLOR_DEFAULT for i in range(len(string))]
-    for input in inputs:
-        for i in range(input[0][0], input[0][1]):
-            cols[i] = input[1]
+    # --- Method 1: COLORFGBG ---
+    colorfgbg = os.environ.get("COLORFGBG", "")
+    if colorfgbg:
+        try:
+            bg = int(colorfgbg.split(";")[-1])
+            # 0-6: dark palette entries, 7-15: light palette entries
+            return bg < 7
+        except (ValueError, IndexError):
+            pass
+
+    # --- Method 2: OSC 11 terminal query ---
+    if sys.stdin.isatty() and sys.stdout.isatty():
+        try:
+            import select
+            import termios
+            import tty
+
+            fd = sys.stdin.fileno()
+            old = termios.tcgetattr(fd)
+            try:
+                tty.setraw(fd)
+                # Query background colour
+                sys.stdout.write("\033]11;?\007")
+                sys.stdout.flush()
+                ready, _, _ = select.select([sys.stdin], [], [], 0.2)
+                if ready:
+                    response = ""
+                    while True:
+                        r2, _, _ = select.select([sys.stdin], [], [], 0.05)
+                        if not r2:
+                            break
+                        chunk = os.read(fd, 64).decode("latin-1", errors="replace")
+                        response += chunk
+                        # Terminal answers with ESC]11;rgb:RR../GG../BB..<BEL|ST>
+                        if response.endswith("\007") or response.endswith("\033\\"):
+                            break
+                    m = re.search(
+                        r"rgb:([0-9a-fA-F]+)/([0-9a-fA-F]+)/([0-9a-fA-F]+)",
+                        response,
+                    )
+                    if m:
+                        # Components are 8- or 16-bit hex; normalise to 0-255
+                        def _norm(h: str) -> float:
+                            return int(h[:2], 16)
+
+                        r_v = _norm(m.group(1))
+                        g_v = _norm(m.group(2))
+                        b_v = _norm(m.group(3))
+                        luminance = 0.299 * r_v + 0.587 * g_v + 0.114 * b_v
+                        return luminance < 128
+            finally:
+                termios.tcsetattr(fd, termios.TCSADRAIN, old)
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+
+    # Default: assume dark terminal
+    return True
+
+
+def _colored_string(string: str, inputs: list, color_default: str, color_reset: str) -> str:
+    """Return *string* with ANSI colour codes applied according to *inputs*.
+
+    *inputs* is a list of ``[[start, end], color_code]`` pairs.
+    Overlapping layers are handled: the last listed colour wins.
+    """
+    cols = [color_default for _ in range(len(string))]
+    for span, color in inputs:
+        for i in range(span[0], span[1]):
+            cols[i] = color
 
-    # construction of the string
     s = ""
     ilast = 0
-    last_col = COLOR_DEFAULT
+    last_col = color_default
     for i in range(len(string)):
         if last_col != cols[i]:
-            s = s + string[ilast:i] + COLOR_RESET + cols[i]
+            s = s + string[ilast:i] + color_reset + cols[i]
             ilast = i
             last_col = cols[i]
 
-    return s + string[ilast:] + COLOR_RESET
+    return s + string[ilast:] + color_reset
 
 
 class TermLog:
@@ -37,46 +107,74 @@ class TermLog:
     DEBUG = ["DEBUG"]
     BOOL =  ["False", "True", "false", "true", "FALSE", "TRUE"]
 
-    def __init__(self, out) -> None:
-        """Class used to color the stdout in batch and terminal mode."""
+    def __init__(self, out, dark_bg: bool = None) -> None:
+        """Class used to colour the stdout in batch and terminal mode.
+
+        :param out: Underlying output stream.
+        :param dark_bg: ``True`` for dark background, ``False`` for light.
+                        ``None`` (default) triggers auto-detection.
+        """
         colorama.init()
         self.out = out
-        self.pats = []
-        self.pats = self.pats + [
-            [re.compile('(\\"[^\\"]+\\")'), Fore.LIGHTBLUE_EX + Style.BRIGHT],
-            [re.compile("(\\'[^\\']+\\')"), Fore.LIGHTBLUE_EX + Style.BRIGHT],
-            [re.compile("(<-----|----->) step"), Fore.BLUE],
-            [
-                re.compile(
-                    r"([\d\.]+)",
-                ),
-                Fore.MAGENTA,
-            ],
-            [re.compile(r"(@@\d+@@)"), Fore.BLACK],
+        self.residue = ""
+
+        if dark_bg is None:
+            dark_bg = _detect_dark_background()
+
+        if dark_bg:
+            color_default = Fore.WHITE
+            color_string  = Fore.LIGHTBLUE_EX + Style.BRIGHT
+            color_number  = Fore.MAGENTA
+            color_bool    = Fore.MAGENTA
+            color_step    = Fore.BLUE
+            color_marker  = Fore.BLACK
+            color_warn    = Fore.YELLOW
+            color_info    = Style.BRIGHT
+            color_debug   = Fore.BLUE + Style.BRIGHT
+            color_pass    = Fore.GREEN + Style.BRIGHT
+            color_fail    = Fore.RED + Style.BRIGHT
+        else:
+            color_default = Fore.RESET
+            color_string  = Fore.BLUE
+            color_number  = Fore.MAGENTA
+            color_bool    = Fore.MAGENTA
+            color_step    = Fore.BLUE
+            color_marker  = Fore.RESET
+            color_warn    = Fore.YELLOW + Style.BRIGHT
+            color_info    = Fore.CYAN
+            color_debug   = Fore.BLUE
+            color_pass    = Fore.GREEN
+            color_fail    = Fore.RED + Style.BRIGHT
+
+        self._color_default = color_default
+        self._color_reset   = Fore.RESET + Style.RESET_ALL + color_default
+
+        self.pats = [
+            [re.compile(r'("(?:[^"]+)")'),   color_string],
+            [re.compile(r"('(?:[^']+)')"),   color_string],
+            [re.compile(r"(<-----|----->) step"), color_step],
+            [re.compile(r"([\d\.]+)"),        color_number],
+            [re.compile(r"(@@\d+@@)"),        color_marker],
         ]
         for word in self.BOOL:
-            self.pats.append([re.compile("({})".format(word)), Fore.MAGENTA])
+            self.pats.append([re.compile(r"({})".format(word)), color_bool])
         for word in self.WARN:
-            self.pats.append([re.compile("({})".format(word)), Fore.YELLOW])
+            self.pats.append([re.compile(r"({})".format(word)), color_warn])
         for word in self.INFO:
-            self.pats.append([re.compile("({})".format(word)), Style.BRIGHT])
+            self.pats.append([re.compile(r"({})".format(word)), color_info])
         for word in self.DEBUG:
-            self.pats.append([re.compile("({})".format(word)), Fore.BLUE + Style.BRIGHT])
+            self.pats.append([re.compile(r"({})".format(word)), color_debug])
         for word in self.PASS:
-            self.pats.append(
-                [re.compile("({})".format(word)), Fore.GREEN + Style.BRIGHT]
-            )
+            self.pats.append([re.compile(r"({})".format(word)), color_pass])
         for word in self.FAIL:
-            self.pats.append([re.compile("({})".format(word)), Fore.RED + Style.BRIGHT])
-        self.residue = ""
+            self.pats.append([re.compile(r"({})".format(word)), color_fail])
 
     def find_pats(self, line):
         spans = []
-        for p in self.pats:
-            it = p[0].finditer(line)
-            for m in it:
+        for p, color in self.pats:
+            for m in p.finditer(line):
                 if m:
-                    spans.append([m.span(), p[1]])
+                    spans.append([m.span(), color])
         return spans
 
     def write(self, s: str) -> None:
@@ -87,15 +185,19 @@ class TermLog:
         if s[-1:] != "\n":
             pos = s.rfind("\n")
             if pos >= 0:
-                self.residue = s[pos:]
-                s = s[:pos]
+                self.residue = s[pos + 1:]
+                s = s[:pos + 1]
             else:
-                # only one line
-                self.out.write(colored_string(s, self.find_pats(s)))
+                # single incomplete line — output immediately
+                self.out.write(_colored_string(s, self.find_pats(s),
+                                               self._color_default, self._color_reset))
                 return
-        # multiline case
-        for l in s.splitlines():
-            self.out.write(colored_string(l, self.find_pats(l)) + "\n")
+        # one or more complete lines
+        for line in s.splitlines():
+            self.out.write(
+                _colored_string(line, self.find_pats(line),
+                                self._color_default, self._color_reset) + "\n"
+            )
 
     def flush(self):
         if self.residue != "":

src/testium/libs/testium.py

@@ -209,6 +209,15 @@ def OS():
     return platform.system()
 
 
+def text_mode():
+    """Whether testium is running in text mode (batch ``-b`` or terminal ``-m``).
+
+    :return: ``True`` if running in text mode, ``False`` otherwise.
+    :rtype: bool
+    """
+    return bool(globdict.gd("_text_mode", False))
+
+
 def sys_encoding():
     if OS() == "Windows":
         enc = "oem"

src/testium/main_win/f1_win/d_f1_win.py

@@ -1,11 +1,16 @@
+import ast
+import json
 import os
-import sys
-import subprocess
 import re
+import subprocess
+import sys
 
-from PySide6.QtWidgets import QDialog
+from PySide6.QtWidgets import (
+    QDialog, QDialogButtonBox, QHeaderView, QMenu, QMessageBox,
+    QPushButton, QTextEdit, QVBoxLayout,
+)
 from PySide6.QtGui import QSyntaxHighlighter, QTextCharFormat, QColor, QFont, QDesktopServices
-from PySide6.QtCore import Qt, QUrl
+from PySide6.QtCore import Qt, QUrl, Slot
 
 from main_win.f1_win.f1_win_core import Ui_F1Dialog
 
@@ -16,58 +21,253 @@ class YamlHighlighter(QSyntaxHighlighter):
 
         self.highlightingRules = []
 
-        # --- KEY formatting (before colon) ---
         key_format = QTextCharFormat()
-        key_format.setForeground(QColor("#268bd2"))  # Solarized blue
+        key_format.setForeground(QColor("#268bd2"))
         key_format.setFontWeight(QFont.Bold)
         self.highlightingRules.append((r"^\s*[^:]+(?=:)", key_format))
 
-        # --- VALUE formatting (strings) ---
         value_format = QTextCharFormat()
-        value_format.setForeground(QColor("#2aa198"))  # teal
+        value_format.setForeground(QColor("#2aa198"))
         self.highlightingRules.append((r":\s*[^#\n]+", value_format))
 
-        # --- Booleans (true/false) ---
         bool_format = QTextCharFormat()
-        bool_format.setForeground(QColor("#b58900"))  # yellow
+        bool_format.setForeground(QColor("#b58900"))
         bool_format.setFontWeight(QFont.Bold)
         self.highlightingRules.append((r"\b(true|false)\b", bool_format))
 
-        # --- Numbers ---
         num_format = QTextCharFormat()
-        num_format.setForeground(QColor("#d33682"))  # magenta
+        num_format.setForeground(QColor("#d33682"))
         self.highlightingRules.append((r"\b[0-9]+\b", num_format))
 
-        # --- Comments (# ...) ---
         comment_format = QTextCharFormat()
-        comment_format.setForeground(QColor("#586e75"))  # gray
+        comment_format.setForeground(QColor("#586e75"))
         self.highlightingRules.append((r"#.*", comment_format))
 
     def highlightBlock(self, text):
         for pattern, fmt in self.highlightingRules:
-
             for match in re.finditer(pattern, text):
                 start, end = match.span()
-                self.setFormat(start, end-start, fmt)
+                self.setFormat(start, end - start, fmt)
+
+
+class GdVarEditDialog(QDialog):
+    """JSON editor dialog for dict/list values."""
+
+    def __init__(self, key, value, parent=None):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self.setWindowTitle(f"Edit: {key}")
+        self.result_value = None
+
+        layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
+
+        self._edit = QTextEdit()
+        self._edit.setPlainText(json.dumps(value, indent=2))
+        font = QFont("Monospace")
+        font.setStyleHint(QFont.StyleHint.TypeWriter)
+        font.setPointSize(9)
+        self._edit.setFont(font)
+        layout.addWidget(self._edit)
+
+        buttons = QDialogButtonBox(QDialogButtonBox.StandardButton.Ok | QDialogButtonBox.StandardButton.Cancel)
+        buttons.accepted.connect(self._on_ok)
+        buttons.rejected.connect(self.reject)
+        layout.addWidget(buttons)
+
+        self.resize(400, 300)
+
+    def _on_ok(self):
+        try:
+            self.result_value = json.loads(self._edit.toPlainText())
+            self.accept()
+        except json.JSONDecodeError as e:
+            QMessageBox.warning(self, "Invalid JSON", str(e))
 
 
 class DialogF1(QDialog):
-    def __init__(self, parent = None):
+    def __init__(self, parent=None):
         super().__init__(parent)
         self.ui = Ui_F1Dialog()
         self.ui.setupUi(self)
         self.highlighter = YamlHighlighter(self.ui.TestContentEdit.document())
-        self.setWindowFlags(
-            Qt.Window | Qt.WindowStaysOnTopHint | Qt.Tool
-        )
+        self.setWindowFlags(Qt.Window | Qt.WindowStaysOnTopHint | Qt.Tool)
+
         self.ui.ButtLocOpen.clicked.connect(self.on_butlocopen_click)
         self.ui.ButtClose.clicked.connect(self.close)
 
+        self._service = None
+        self._key_rows = {}
+        self._updating = False
+        self._mono_font = QFont("Monospace")
+        self._mono_font.setStyleHint(QFont.StyleHint.TypeWriter)
+        self._mono_bold_font = QFont("Monospace")
+        self._mono_bold_font.setStyleHint(QFont.StyleHint.TypeWriter)
+        self._mono_bold_font.setBold(True)
+
+        self._setup_vars_tab()
+
+    def _setup_vars_tab(self):
+        table = self.ui.varsTable
+        table.horizontalHeader().setSectionResizeMode(0, QHeaderView.ResizeMode.ResizeToContents)
+        table.horizontalHeader().setSectionResizeMode(1, QHeaderView.ResizeMode.Stretch)
+        table.horizontalHeader().setSectionResizeMode(2, QHeaderView.ResizeMode.Fixed)
+        table.setColumnWidth(2, 36)
+        table.verticalHeader().setVisible(False)
+        table.setContextMenuPolicy(Qt.ContextMenuPolicy.CustomContextMenu)
+        table.customContextMenuRequested.connect(self._on_context_menu)
+        table.cellChanged.connect(self._on_cell_changed)
+        table.setEnabled(False)
+        self.ui.addVarButton.setEnabled(False)
+        self.ui.addVarButton.clicked.connect(self._on_add_var)
+
+    def load_initial_vars(self, vars_dict: dict):
+        for key, value in vars_dict.items():
+            self.gd_var_updated(key, value)
+
+    def set_service(self, service):
+        self._service = service
+        enabled = service is not None
+        self.ui.varsTable.setEnabled(enabled)
+        self.ui.addVarButton.setEnabled(enabled)
+        if not enabled:
+            self._updating = True
+            try:
+                self.ui.varsTable.setRowCount(0)
+            finally:
+                self._updating = False
+            self._key_rows.clear()
+
+    @Slot(str, object)
+    def gd_var_updated(self, key, value):
+        if key in self._key_rows:
+            self._refresh_row(self._key_rows[key], key, value)
+        else:
+            self._updating = True
+            try:
+                row = self.ui.varsTable.rowCount()
+                self.ui.varsTable.insertRow(row)
+            finally:
+                self._updating = False
+            self._key_rows[key] = row
+            self._refresh_row(row, key, value)
+
+    @Slot(str)
+    def gd_var_deleted(self, key):
+        if key not in self._key_rows:
+            return
+        row = self._key_rows.pop(key)
+        self._updating = True
+        try:
+            self.ui.varsTable.removeRow(row)
+        finally:
+            self._updating = False
+        self._key_rows = {k: (r - 1 if r > row else r) for k, r in self._key_rows.items()}
+
+    def _refresh_row(self, row, key, value):
+        from PySide6.QtWidgets import QTableWidgetItem
+        self._updating = True
+        try:
+            table = self.ui.varsTable
+
+            key_item = QTableWidgetItem(key)
+            key_item.setFlags(key_item.flags() & ~Qt.ItemFlag.ItemIsEditable)
+            key_item.setFont(self._mono_bold_font)
+            table.setItem(row, 0, key_item)
+
+            display = self._display_value(value)
+            val_item = QTableWidgetItem(display)
+            val_item.setData(Qt.ItemDataRole.UserRole, value)
+            val_item.setToolTip(self._full_tooltip(value))
+            val_item.setFont(self._mono_font)
+            if self._is_complex(value):
+                val_item.setFlags(val_item.flags() & ~Qt.ItemFlag.ItemIsEditable)
+            table.setItem(row, 1, val_item)
+
+            if self._is_complex(value):
+                btn = QPushButton("[…]")
+                captured_key = key
+                btn.clicked.connect(lambda: self._on_edit_complex(captured_key))
+                table.setCellWidget(row, 2, btn)
+            else:
+                table.setCellWidget(row, 2, None)
+                table.setItem(row, 2, QTableWidgetItem())
+        finally:
+            self._updating = False
+
+    def _is_complex(self, value):
+        return isinstance(value, (dict, list))
+
+    def _display_value(self, value):
+        if self._is_complex(value):
+            text = repr(value)
+            return (text[:60] + "…") if len(text) > 60 else text
+        return repr(value)
+
+    def _full_tooltip(self, value):
+        try:
+            text = json.dumps(value, indent=2)
+        except (TypeError, ValueError):
+            text = repr(value)
+        escaped = text.replace("&", "&amp;").replace("<", "&lt;").replace(">", "&gt;")
+        return f"<pre>{escaped}</pre>"
+
+    def _on_cell_changed(self, row, col):
+        if self._updating or col != 1 or self._service is None:
+            return
+        from PySide6.QtWidgets import QTableWidgetItem
+        key_item = self.ui.varsTable.item(row, 0)
+        val_item = self.ui.varsTable.item(row, 1)
+        if key_item is None or val_item is None:
+            return
+        key = key_item.text()
+        text = val_item.text()
+        try:
+            value = ast.literal_eval(text)
+        except (ValueError, SyntaxError):
+            value = text
+        self._service.set_gd_var(key, value)
+
+    def _on_edit_complex(self, key):
+        if key not in self._key_rows:
+            return
+        val_item = self.ui.varsTable.item(self._key_rows[key], 1)
+        if val_item is None:
+            return
+        value = val_item.data(Qt.ItemDataRole.UserRole)
+        dlg = GdVarEditDialog(key, value, self)
+        if dlg.exec() == QDialog.DialogCode.Accepted and self._service is not None:
+            self._service.set_gd_var(key, dlg.result_value)
+
+    def _on_add_var(self):
+        key = self.ui.newKeyEdit.text().strip()
+        value_text = self.ui.newValueEdit.text().strip()
+        if not key or self._service is None:
+            return
+        try:
+            value = ast.literal_eval(value_text)
+        except (ValueError, SyntaxError):
+            value = value_text
+        self._service.set_gd_var(key, value)
+        self.ui.newKeyEdit.clear()
+        self.ui.newValueEdit.clear()
+
+    def _on_context_menu(self, pos):
+        row = self.ui.varsTable.rowAt(pos.y())
+        if row < 0:
+            return
+        key_item = self.ui.varsTable.item(row, 0)
+        if key_item is None or self._service is None:
+            return
+        key = key_item.text()
+        menu = QMenu(self)
+        delete_action = menu.addAction("Delete")
+        if menu.exec(self.ui.varsTable.mapToGlobal(pos)) == delete_action:
+            self._service.del_gd_var(key)
+
     def on_butlocopen_click(self):
         file = self.ui.sequenceFileNameLineEdit.text()
         if os.path.exists(file):
-            if sys.platform.startswith("win"):      # Windows
+            if sys.platform.startswith("win"):
                 subprocess.Popen(f'explorer "{file}"')
-            else:                                   # Linux / autres
+            else:
                 subprocess.Popen(["xdg-open", file])
             QDesktopServices.openUrl(QUrl.fromLocalFile(file))

src/testium/main_win/f1_win/f1_win_core.py

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 ################################################################################
 ## Form generated from reading UI file 'f1_win_core.ui'
 ##
-## Created by: Qt User Interface Compiler version 6.10.1
+## Created by: Qt User Interface Compiler version 6.11.0
 ##
 ## WARNING! All changes made in this file will be lost when recompiling UI file!
 ################################################################################
@@ -16,8 +16,9 @@ from PySide6.QtGui import (QBrush, QColor, QConicalGradient, QCursor,
     QImage, QKeySequence, QLinearGradient, QPainter,
     QPalette, QPixmap, QRadialGradient, QTransform)
 from PySide6.QtWidgets import (QApplication, QDialog, QFormLayout, QHBoxLayout,
-    QLabel, QLineEdit, QPushButton, QSizePolicy,
-    QSpacerItem, QTextEdit, QToolButton, QVBoxLayout,
+    QHeaderView, QLabel, QLineEdit, QPushButton,
+    QSizePolicy, QSpacerItem, QTabWidget, QTableWidget,
+    QTableWidgetItem, QTextEdit, QToolButton, QVBoxLayout,
     QWidget)
 import f1_win_rc
 
@@ -25,7 +26,7 @@ class Ui_F1Dialog(object):
     def setupUi(self, F1Dialog):
         if not F1Dialog.objectName():
             F1Dialog.setObjectName(u"F1Dialog")
-        F1Dialog.resize(400, 300)
+        F1Dialog.resize(550, 450)
         icon = QIcon()
         if QIcon.hasThemeIcon(QIcon.ThemeIcon.HelpAbout):
             icon = QIcon.fromTheme(QIcon.ThemeIcon.HelpAbout)
@@ -36,19 +37,20 @@ class Ui_F1Dialog(object):
         F1Dialog.setLayoutDirection(Qt.LayoutDirection.LeftToRight)
         self.verticalLayout_2 = QVBoxLayout(F1Dialog)
         self.verticalLayout_2.setObjectName(u"verticalLayout_2")
-        self.horizontalLayout_2 = QHBoxLayout()
-        self.horizontalLayout_2.setObjectName(u"horizontalLayout_2")
-
-        self.verticalLayout_2.addLayout(self.horizontalLayout_2)
-
+        self.tabWidget = QTabWidget(F1Dialog)
+        self.tabWidget.setObjectName(u"tabWidget")
+        self.tabTestItem = QWidget()
+        self.tabTestItem.setObjectName(u"tabTestItem")
+        self.verticalLayout_tab0 = QVBoxLayout(self.tabTestItem)
+        self.verticalLayout_tab0.setObjectName(u"verticalLayout_tab0")
         self.formLayout = QFormLayout()
         self.formLayout.setObjectName(u"formLayout")
-        self.typeLabel = QLabel(F1Dialog)
+        self.typeLabel = QLabel(self.tabTestItem)
         self.typeLabel.setObjectName(u"typeLabel")
 
         self.formLayout.setWidget(0, QFormLayout.ItemRole.LabelRole, self.typeLabel)
 
-        self.typeLineEdit = QLineEdit(F1Dialog)
+        self.typeLineEdit = QLineEdit(self.tabTestItem)
         self.typeLineEdit.setObjectName(u"typeLineEdit")
         sizePolicy = QSizePolicy(QSizePolicy.Policy.Fixed, QSizePolicy.Policy.Fixed)
         sizePolicy.setHorizontalStretch(0)
@@ -59,20 +61,20 @@ class Ui_F1Dialog(object):
 
         self.formLayout.setWidget(0, QFormLayout.ItemRole.FieldRole, self.typeLineEdit)
 
-        self.sequenceFileNameLabel = QLabel(F1Dialog)
+        self.sequenceFileNameLabel = QLabel(self.tabTestItem)
         self.sequenceFileNameLabel.setObjectName(u"sequenceFileNameLabel")
 
         self.formLayout.setWidget(1, QFormLayout.ItemRole.LabelRole, self.sequenceFileNameLabel)
 
         self.horizontalLayout_3 = QHBoxLayout()
         self.horizontalLayout_3.setObjectName(u"horizontalLayout_3")
-        self.sequenceFileNameLineEdit = QLineEdit(F1Dialog)
+        self.sequenceFileNameLineEdit = QLineEdit(self.tabTestItem)
         self.sequenceFileNameLineEdit.setObjectName(u"sequenceFileNameLineEdit")
         self.sequenceFileNameLineEdit.setReadOnly(True)
 
         self.horizontalLayout_3.addWidget(self.sequenceFileNameLineEdit)
 
-        self.ButtLocOpen = QToolButton(F1Dialog)
+        self.ButtLocOpen = QToolButton(self.tabTestItem)
         self.ButtLocOpen.setObjectName(u"ButtLocOpen")
 
         self.horizontalLayout_3.addWidget(self.ButtLocOpen)
@@ -81,18 +83,61 @@ class Ui_F1Dialog(object):
         self.formLayout.setLayout(1, QFormLayout.ItemRole.FieldRole, self.horizontalLayout_3)
 
 
-        self.verticalLayout_2.addLayout(self.formLayout)
+        self.verticalLayout_tab0.addLayout(self.formLayout)
 
-        self.label = QLabel(F1Dialog)
+        self.label = QLabel(self.tabTestItem)
         self.label.setObjectName(u"label")
 
-        self.verticalLayout_2.addWidget(self.label)
+        self.verticalLayout_tab0.addWidget(self.label)
 
-        self.TestContentEdit = QTextEdit(F1Dialog)
+        self.TestContentEdit = QTextEdit(self.tabTestItem)
         self.TestContentEdit.setObjectName(u"TestContentEdit")
         self.TestContentEdit.setReadOnly(True)
 
-        self.verticalLayout_2.addWidget(self.TestContentEdit)
+        self.verticalLayout_tab0.addWidget(self.TestContentEdit)
+
+        self.tabWidget.addTab(self.tabTestItem, "")
+        self.tabVariables = QWidget()
+        self.tabVariables.setObjectName(u"tabVariables")
+        self.verticalLayout_tab1 = QVBoxLayout(self.tabVariables)
+        self.verticalLayout_tab1.setObjectName(u"verticalLayout_tab1")
+        self.varsTable = QTableWidget(self.tabVariables)
+        if (self.varsTable.columnCount() < 3):
+            self.varsTable.setColumnCount(3)
+        __qtablewidgetitem = QTableWidgetItem()
+        self.varsTable.setHorizontalHeaderItem(0, __qtablewidgetitem)
+        __qtablewidgetitem1 = QTableWidgetItem()
+        self.varsTable.setHorizontalHeaderItem(1, __qtablewidgetitem1)
+        __qtablewidgetitem2 = QTableWidgetItem()
+        self.varsTable.setHorizontalHeaderItem(2, __qtablewidgetitem2)
+        self.varsTable.setObjectName(u"varsTable")
+
+        self.verticalLayout_tab1.addWidget(self.varsTable)
+
+        self.addVarLayout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.addVarLayout.setObjectName(u"addVarLayout")
+        self.newKeyEdit = QLineEdit(self.tabVariables)
+        self.newKeyEdit.setObjectName(u"newKeyEdit")
+
+        self.addVarLayout.addWidget(self.newKeyEdit)
+
+        self.newValueEdit = QLineEdit(self.tabVariables)
+        self.newValueEdit.setObjectName(u"newValueEdit")
+
+        self.addVarLayout.addWidget(self.newValueEdit)
+
+        self.addVarButton = QPushButton(self.tabVariables)
+        self.addVarButton.setObjectName(u"addVarButton")
+        self.addVarButton.setMaximumSize(QSize(30, 16777215))
+
+        self.addVarLayout.addWidget(self.addVarButton)
+
+
+        self.verticalLayout_tab1.addLayout(self.addVarLayout)
+
+        self.tabWidget.addTab(self.tabVariables, "")
+
+        self.verticalLayout_2.addWidget(self.tabWidget)
 
         self.horizontalLayout = QHBoxLayout()
         self.horizontalLayout.setObjectName(u"horizontalLayout")
@@ -113,6 +158,9 @@ class Ui_F1Dialog(object):
 
         self.retranslateUi(F1Dialog)
 
+        self.tabWidget.setCurrentIndex(0)
+
+
         QMetaObject.connectSlotsByName(F1Dialog)
     # setupUi
 
@@ -122,6 +170,15 @@ class Ui_F1Dialog(object):
         self.sequenceFileNameLabel.setText(QCoreApplication.translate("F1Dialog", u"Test file name", None))
         self.ButtLocOpen.setText(QCoreApplication.translate("F1Dialog", u"...", None))
         self.label.setText(QCoreApplication.translate("F1Dialog", u"Test content:", None))
+        self.tabWidget.setTabText(self.tabWidget.indexOf(self.tabTestItem), QCoreApplication.translate("F1Dialog", u"Test item", None))
+        ___qtablewidgetitem = self.varsTable.horizontalHeaderItem(0)
+        ___qtablewidgetitem.setText(QCoreApplication.translate("F1Dialog", u"Key", None))
+        ___qtablewidgetitem1 = self.varsTable.horizontalHeaderItem(1)
+        ___qtablewidgetitem1.setText(QCoreApplication.translate("F1Dialog", u"Value", None))
+        self.newKeyEdit.setPlaceholderText(QCoreApplication.translate("F1Dialog", u"New key", None))
+        self.newValueEdit.setPlaceholderText(QCoreApplication.translate("F1Dialog", u"Value", None))
+        self.addVarButton.setText(QCoreApplication.translate("F1Dialog", u"+", None))
+        self.tabWidget.setTabText(self.tabWidget.indexOf(self.tabVariables), QCoreApplication.translate("F1Dialog", u"Variables", None))
         self.ButtClose.setText(QCoreApplication.translate("F1Dialog", u"Close", None))
     # retranslateUi
 

src/testium/main_win/f1_win/f1_win_core.ui

@@ -6,8 +6,8 @@
    <rect>
     <x>0</x>
     <y>0</y>
-    <width>400</width>
-    <height>300</height>
+    <width>550</width>
+    <height>450</height>
    </rect>
   </property>
   <property name="windowTitle">
@@ -22,69 +22,139 @@
   </property>
   <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout_2">
    <item>
-    <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout_2"/>
-   </item>
-   <item>
-    <layout class="QFormLayout" name="formLayout">
-     <item row="0" column="0">
-      <widget class="QLabel" name="typeLabel">
-       <property name="text">
-        <string>Test step type</string>
-       </property>
-      </widget>
-     </item>
-     <item row="0" column="1">
-      <widget class="QLineEdit" name="typeLineEdit">
-       <property name="sizePolicy">
-        <sizepolicy hsizetype="Fixed" vsizetype="Fixed">
-         <horstretch>0</horstretch>
-         <verstretch>0</verstretch>
-        </sizepolicy>
-       </property>
-       <property name="readOnly">
-        <bool>true</bool>
-       </property>
-      </widget>
-     </item>
-     <item row="1" column="0">
-      <widget class="QLabel" name="sequenceFileNameLabel">
-       <property name="text">
-        <string>Test file name</string>
-       </property>
-      </widget>
-     </item>
-     <item row="1" column="1">
-      <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout_3">
+    <widget class="QTabWidget" name="tabWidget">
+     <property name="currentIndex">
+      <number>0</number>
+     </property>
+     <!-- Tab 0: Test item -->
+     <widget class="QWidget" name="tabTestItem">
+      <attribute name="title">
+       <string>Test item</string>
+      </attribute>
+      <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout_tab0">
        <item>
-        <widget class="QLineEdit" name="sequenceFileNameLineEdit">
+        <layout class="QFormLayout" name="formLayout">
+         <item row="0" column="0">
+          <widget class="QLabel" name="typeLabel">
+           <property name="text">
+            <string>Test step type</string>
+           </property>
+          </widget>
+         </item>
+         <item row="0" column="1">
+          <widget class="QLineEdit" name="typeLineEdit">
+           <property name="sizePolicy">
+            <sizepolicy hsizetype="Fixed" vsizetype="Fixed">
+             <horstretch>0</horstretch>
+             <verstretch>0</verstretch>
+            </sizepolicy>
+           </property>
+           <property name="readOnly">
+            <bool>true</bool>
+           </property>
+          </widget>
+         </item>
+         <item row="1" column="0">
+          <widget class="QLabel" name="sequenceFileNameLabel">
+           <property name="text">
+            <string>Test file name</string>
+           </property>
+          </widget>
+         </item>
+         <item row="1" column="1">
+          <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout_3">
+           <item>
+            <widget class="QLineEdit" name="sequenceFileNameLineEdit">
+             <property name="readOnly">
+              <bool>true</bool>
+             </property>
+            </widget>
+           </item>
+           <item>
+            <widget class="QToolButton" name="ButtLocOpen">
+             <property name="text">
+              <string>...</string>
+             </property>
+            </widget>
+           </item>
+          </layout>
+         </item>
+        </layout>
+       </item>
+       <item>
+        <widget class="QLabel" name="label">
+         <property name="text">
+          <string>Test content:</string>
+         </property>
+        </widget>
+       </item>
+       <item>
+        <widget class="QTextEdit" name="TestContentEdit">
          <property name="readOnly">
           <bool>true</bool>
          </property>
         </widget>
        </item>
+      </layout>
+     </widget>
+     <!-- Tab 1: Variables -->
+     <widget class="QWidget" name="tabVariables">
+      <attribute name="title">
+       <string>Variables</string>
+      </attribute>
+      <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout_tab1">
        <item>
-        <widget class="QToolButton" name="ButtLocOpen">
-         <property name="text">
-          <string>...</string>
-         </property>
+        <widget class="QTableWidget" name="varsTable">
+         <column>
+          <property name="text">
+           <string>Key</string>
+          </property>
+         </column>
+         <column>
+          <property name="text">
+           <string>Value</string>
+          </property>
+         </column>
+         <column>
+          <property name="text">
+           <string/>
+          </property>
+         </column>
         </widget>
        </item>
+       <item>
+        <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="addVarLayout">
+         <item>
+          <widget class="QLineEdit" name="newKeyEdit">
+           <property name="placeholderText">
+            <string>New key</string>
+           </property>
+          </widget>
+         </item>
+         <item>
+          <widget class="QLineEdit" name="newValueEdit">
+           <property name="placeholderText">
+            <string>Value</string>
+           </property>
+          </widget>
+         </item>
+         <item>
+          <widget class="QPushButton" name="addVarButton">
+           <property name="text">
+            <string>+</string>
+           </property>
+           <property name="maximumSize">
+            <size>
+             <width>30</width>
+             <height>16777215</height>
+            </size>
+           </property>
+          </widget>
+         </item>
+        </layout>
+       </item>
       </layout>
-     </item>
-    </layout>
-   </item>
-   <item>
-    <widget class="QLabel" name="label">
-     <property name="text">
-      <string>Test content:</string>
-     </property>
-    </widget>
-   </item>
-   <item>
-    <widget class="QTextEdit" name="TestContentEdit">
-     <property name="readOnly">
-      <bool>true</bool>
-     </property>
+     </widget>
     </widget>
    </item>
    <item>

src/testium/main_win/test_controller_service.py

@@ -69,3 +69,12 @@ class TestControllerService:
 
     def set_test_outputs(self, outputs: list) -> None:
         self._ctrl.control("set_test_outputs", outputs=outputs)
+
+    def get_gd_vars(self) -> dict:
+        return self._ctrl.control("get_gd_vars")
+
+    def set_gd_var(self, name: str, value) -> None:
+        self._ctrl.control("set_gd_var", name=name, value=value)
+
+    def del_gd_var(self, name: str) -> None:
+        self._ctrl.control("del_gd_var", name=name)

src/testium/main_win/test_file_manager.py

@@ -30,11 +30,18 @@ class TestFileManager:
         ):
             w.test_service.stop()
             w.test_service.close()
-            w.test_proc.join()
+            w.test_proc.join(timeout=5)
+            if w.test_proc.is_alive():
+                w.test_proc.terminate()
+                w.test_proc.join(timeout=2)
+            if w.test_proc.is_alive():
+                w.test_proc.kill()
+                w.test_proc.join()
             del w.test_proc
             w.test_proc = None
             del w.test_service
             w.test_service = None
+            w.d_f1_win.set_service(None)
             del w.ts_controller
             w.ts_controller = None
 
@@ -83,6 +90,7 @@ class TestFileManager:
             w.testFile = None
             w.ts_controller = TestSetController()
             w.test_service = TestControllerService(w.ts_controller)
+            w.d_f1_win.set_service(w.test_service)
             w.test_proc = TestProcess(
                 file_name,
                 w.status_queue,
@@ -106,6 +114,7 @@ class TestFileManager:
                 w.test_proc = None
                 del w.test_service
                 w.test_service = None
+                w.d_f1_win.set_service(None)
                 del w.ts_controller
                 w.ts_controller = None
                 raise ETUMRuntimeError(
@@ -122,6 +131,7 @@ class TestFileManager:
             progress = None
             w.treeTests.setFoldDefault()
             w.treeTests.updateTreeSkipState(w.test_service)
+            w.d_f1_win.load_initial_vars(w.test_service.get_gd_vars())
 
             w.checkSelect.setChecked(True)
             w.testFile = file_name

src/testium/main_win/test_run/test_run.py

@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ from PySide6.QtCore import (Signal, QThread)
 class ThreadTestStatus(QThread):
     statusToBeUpdated = Signal(dict)
     testSetIsFinished = Signal()
+    gdUpdated = Signal(str, object)
+    gdDeleted = Signal(str)
 
     def __init__(self, status_queue, parent=None, debug=False):
         super().__init__(parent)
@@ -21,7 +23,12 @@ class ThreadTestStatus(QThread):
             while True:
                 while not self._status_queue.empty():
                     m = self._status_queue.get()
-                    if m.get("id", None) is None:
+                    msg_type = m.get("type")
+                    if msg_type == "gd_update":
+                        self.gdUpdated.emit(m["key"], m["value"])
+                    elif msg_type == "gd_delete":
+                        self.gdDeleted.emit(m["key"])
+                    elif "id" in m and m["id"] is None:
                         self.testSetIsFinished.emit()
                     else:
                         self.statusToBeUpdated.emit(m)

src/testium/main_win/test_runner.py

@@ -118,6 +118,7 @@ class TestRunner:
         self.logFileHandler = None
 
         w.textLog.appendPlainText("Test is finished")
+        w.run_exit_code = 0 if w.treeTests.getGlobalSuccess() else 1
         if w.runandclose:
             w.on_actionExit_triggered()
 

src/testium/main_win/testium_win.py

@@ -1,18 +1,14 @@
 import sys
 import os
-import subprocess
-import traceback
 import webbrowser
-from time import sleep
 from multiprocessing import Queue
-from queue import Empty
 from threading import Thread
 import shutil
 
 # Qt
-from PySide6 import QtGui, QtWidgets
+from PySide6 import QtGui
 from PySide6.QtGui import QAction, QShortcut, QIcon, QPixmap, QTextCursor, QDesktopServices, QTextCursor
-from PySide6.QtCore import Slot, QUrl, Qt, QTimer, QDateTime
+from PySide6.QtCore import Slot, QUrl, Qt, QTimer
 
 from PySide6.QtWidgets import (
     QApplication,
@@ -92,6 +88,7 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow, Ui_MainWindow):
         self.test_service = None
         self.threadTestStatus = None
         self._signals_connected = False
+        self.run_exit_code = -1  # -1 = test not yet completed
 
         self.timer = QTimer()
         self.timer.setSingleShot(False)
@@ -247,6 +244,8 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow, Ui_MainWindow):
 
         self.threadTestStatus.testSetIsFinished.connect(self.runner.on_run_finished)
         self.threadTestStatus.statusToBeUpdated.connect(self.treeTests.updateStatus)
+        self.threadTestStatus.gdUpdated.connect(self.d_f1_win.gd_var_updated)
+        self.threadTestStatus.gdDeleted.connect(self.d_f1_win.gd_var_deleted)
         self.reconnect_signals()
 
         if runandclose:
@@ -357,14 +356,20 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow, Ui_MainWindow):
         self.treeTests.saveSizes()
         prefs.settings.sync()
 
+    def closeEvent(self, event):
+        self.on_exiting()
+        event.accept()
+
     def on_exiting(self):
-        if self.runner.state == TestState.IDLE:
-            self.save_settings()
-        self.file_manager.clear_process()
-        self.threadTestStatus.stop()
-        self.threadOutput.stop()
-        self.threadOutput.wait()
-        self.threadTestStatus.wait()
+        try:
+            if self.runner.state == TestState.IDLE:
+                self.save_settings()
+            self.file_manager.clear_process()
+        finally:
+            self.threadTestStatus.stop()
+            self.threadOutput.stop()
+            self.threadOutput.wait()
+            self.threadTestStatus.wait()
 
     def show_checkboxes(self, hidden=None):
         if hidden:
@@ -683,5 +688,17 @@ def MainWin(
         debug,
     )
 
+    import signal
+    import os as _os
+
+    def _sigabrt_handler(signum, frame):
+        # Qt crash: exit with the test result if known, -1 if test never completed
+        _os._exit(ui.run_exit_code)
+
+    signal.signal(signal.SIGABRT, _sigabrt_handler)
+
     ui.show()
-    sys.exit(app.exec_())
+    app.exec_()
+    exit_code = ui.run_exit_code if ui.run_exit_code >= 0 else 0
+    del ui
+    sys.exit(exit_code)

test/validation/items/common/helper_lib.py

@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+import libs.testium as libtm
+
+
+def check_os(expected_os):
+    result = libtm.OS()
+    assert result == expected_os, f"Expected {expected_os!r}, got {result!r}"
+    return 0
+
+
+def check_get_main_dir():
+    d = libtm.get_main_dir()
+    assert isinstance(d, str) and len(d) > 0
+    return 0
+
+
+def check_timestamp_as_sec_conversion():
+    assert libtm.timestamp_as_sec(0) == 0.0
+    assert libtm.timestamp_as_sec(10000) == 1.0
+    assert libtm.timestamp_as_sec(5000) == 0.5
+    return 0
+
+
+def check_timestamp():
+    libtm.init_timestamp()
+    t = libtm.timestamp()
+    assert isinstance(t, int) and t >= 0
+    ts = libtm.timestamp_as_sec()
+    assert isinstance(ts, float) and ts >= 0.0
+    return 0

test/validation/items/common/results/test.tum

@@ -92,13 +92,14 @@
             func_name: echo
             param: [ $(str_example) ]
             process_result: "'44' in '$(result)'"
+            expected_result: True
         - py_func:
             name: Save the result in a global variable
             key: $(test)_PASS
             file: $(test_path)$(psep)results$(psep)results.py
             func_name: echo
             param: [ 44 ]
-            process_result: "tm.setgd('process_result_value', $(result))"
+            store_result: process_result_value
         - py_func:
             name: Check the saved global variable
             key: $(test)_PASS
@@ -107,6 +108,68 @@
             param: [ 44 ]
             expected_result: $(process_result_value)
 
+        - py_func:
+            name: store_result with process_result
+            key: $(test)_PASS
+            file: $(test_path)$(psep)results$(psep)results.py
+            func_name: echo
+            param: [ $(str_example) ]
+            process_result: "'$(result)'.upper()"
+            store_result: upper_str_example
+        - py_func:
+            name: Check store_result with process_result
+            key: $(test)_PASS
+            file: $(test_path)$(psep)results$(psep)results.py
+            func_name: echo
+            param: [ $(str_example) ]
+            process_result: "'$(result)'.upper()"
+            expected_result: $(upper_str_example)
+
+        - let:
+            name: store_result on let item (None value → stores PASS)
+            key: $(test)_PASS
+            values:
+                - dummy: 0
+            store_result: let_store_result
+        - py_func:
+            name: Check store_result on let stores PASS
+            key: $(test)_PASS
+            file: $(test_path)$(psep)results$(psep)results.py
+            func_name: echo
+            param: [PASS]
+            expected_result: $(let_store_result)
+
+        - py_func:
+            name: store_result on failing test (None value → stores FAIL)
+            key: $(test)_FAIL
+            file: $(test_path)$(psep)results$(psep)results.py
+            func_name: return_none
+            expected_result: FAIL
+            store_result: none_fail_store_result
+        - py_func:
+            name: Check store_result on failing test stores FAIL
+            key: $(test)_PASS
+            file: $(test_path)$(psep)results$(psep)results.py
+            func_name: echo
+            param: [FAIL]
+            expected_result: $(none_fail_store_result)
+
+        - py_func:
+            name: store_result with no_fail (None value → stores real FAIL, not forced PASS)
+            key: $(test)_PASS
+            file: $(test_path)$(psep)results$(psep)results.py
+            func_name: return_none
+            expected_result: FAIL
+            no_fail: True
+            store_result: none_nofail_store_result
+        - py_func:
+            name: Check store_result with no_fail stores real FAIL
+            key: $(test)_PASS
+            file: $(test_path)$(psep)results$(psep)results.py
+            func_name: echo
+            param: [FAIL]
+            expected_result: $(none_nofail_store_result)
+
         - py_func:
             name: Process result when result is None (must fail)
             key: $(test)_FAIL

test/validation/items/common/test.tum

@@ -10,3 +10,28 @@
     name : Various syntax robustness
     steps:
         - !include syntax_robustness/test.tum
+- group:
+    name: Helper lib functions
+    steps:
+        - py_func:
+            name: OS
+            key: $(test)_PASS
+            file: $(test_path)$(psep)helper_lib.py
+            func_name: check_os
+            param:
+                - $(os)
+        - py_func:
+            name: get_main_dir
+            key: $(test)_PASS
+            file: $(test_path)$(psep)helper_lib.py
+            func_name: check_get_main_dir
+        - py_func:
+            name: timestamp_as_sec conversion
+            key: $(test)_PASS
+            file: $(test_path)$(psep)helper_lib.py
+            func_name: check_timestamp_as_sec_conversion
+        - py_func:
+            name: timestamp and timestamp_as_sec
+            key: $(test)_PASS
+            file: $(test_path)$(psep)helper_lib.py
+            func_name: check_timestamp

test/validation/items/dialogs/test.tum

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
     name: dialog image PASS
     condition: $(validation_dialogs)
     question: click ok if you see the image
+    auto_result: "ok"
     key: $(test)_PASS
     filename: $(test_path)$(psep)IMG_20140213_171455.jpg
 
@@ -9,6 +10,7 @@
     name: dialog image FAIL
     condition: $(validation_dialogs)
     question: click cancel
+    auto_result: "cancel"
     key: $(test)_FAIL
     filename: $(test_path)$(psep)IMG_20140213_171455.jpg
 
@@ -17,45 +19,54 @@
     condition: $(validation_dialogs)
     key: $(test)_PASS
     question: click ok
+    auto_result: "ok"
 
 - dialog_references:
     name: dialog_reference FAIL
     condition: $(validation_dialogs)
     key: $(test)_FAIL
     question: click cancel
+    auto_result: "cancel"
 
 - dialog_value:
     name: dialog_value PASS
     condition: $(validation_dialogs)
     key: $(test)_PASS
     question: enter 123 and click ok
+    auto_result: "ok"
+    auto_value: "123"
 
 - dialog_value:
     name: dialog_value empty FAIL
     condition: $(validation_dialogs)
     key: $(test)_FAIL
     question: enter nothing and click ok
+    auto_result: "ok"
 
 - dialog_value:
     name: dialog_value canceled FAIL
     condition: $(validation_dialogs)
     key: $(test)_FAIL
     question: enter nothing and click cancel
+    auto_result: "cancel"
 
 - dialog_message:
     name: dialog_message PASS
     condition: $(validation_dialogs)
     key: $(test)_PASS
     question: click ok
+    auto_result: "ok"
 
 - dialog_question:
     name: dialog_question PASS
     condition: $(validation_dialogs)
     key: $(test)_PASS
     question: click yes
+    auto_result: "yes"
 
 - dialog_question:
     name: dialog_question FAIL
     condition: $(validation_dialogs)
     key: $(test)_FAIL
     question: click no
+    auto_result: "no"

test/validation/items/jsonrpc/jrpc_echo_server.py

@@ -0,0 +1,134 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""JSON-RPC echo server for the testium validation suite.
+
+Listens on TCP (newline-delimited JSON) and UDP.
+Supports JSON-RPC 1.0 and 2.0.
+
+Handlers:
+  echo(*args)  -> [args, {}]
+  <unknown>    -> error {code: -32000, message: "function not found"}
+
+Usage:
+  python3 jrpc_echo_server.py -c jrpces.ini
+"""
+import argparse
+import configparser
+import json
+import socket
+import sys
+import threading
+
+
+def _dispatch(method, params):
+    if method == "echo":
+        if not isinstance(params, list):
+            params = [params]
+        return True, [params, {}]
+    return False, {"code": -32000, "message": "function not found"}
+
+
+def _build_response(req, success, data):
+    req_id = req.get("id", None)
+    if req.get("jsonrpc") == "2.0":
+        if success:
+            return {"jsonrpc": "2.0", "result": data, "id": req_id}
+        else:
+            return {"jsonrpc": "2.0", "error": data, "id": req_id}
+    else:
+        if success:
+            return {"result": data, "error": None, "id": req_id}
+        else:
+            return {"result": None, "error": data, "id": req_id}
+
+
+def handle(raw: str) -> str:
+    try:
+        req = json.loads(raw)
+        method = req.get("method", "")
+        params = req.get("params", [])
+        success, data = _dispatch(method, params)
+        return json.dumps(_build_response(req, success, data))
+    except Exception as exc:
+        return json.dumps({"result": None, "error": {"code": -32700, "message": str(exc)}, "id": None})
+
+
+# ── TCP ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+def _handle_tcp_client(conn):
+    buf = b""
+    with conn:
+        conn.settimeout(5.0)
+        while True:
+            try:
+                chunk = conn.recv(4096)
+            except (socket.timeout, ConnectionResetError, OSError):
+                break
+            if not chunk:
+                break
+            buf += chunk
+            while b"\n" in buf:
+                line, buf = buf.split(b"\n", 1)
+                line = line.strip()
+                if line:
+                    resp = handle(line.decode())
+                    conn.sendall((resp + "\n").encode())
+
+
+def _tcp_server(host, port):
+    srv = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
+    srv.setsockopt(socket.SOL_SOCKET, socket.SO_REUSEADDR, 1)
+    srv.bind((host, port))
+    srv.listen(5)
+    srv.settimeout(1.0)
+    print(f"TCP listening on {host}:{port}", flush=True)
+    while True:
+        try:
+            conn, _ = srv.accept()
+        except socket.timeout:
+            continue
+        threading.Thread(target=_handle_tcp_client, args=(conn,), daemon=True).start()
+
+
+# ── UDP ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+def _udp_server(host, port):
+    srv = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_DGRAM)
+    srv.setsockopt(socket.SOL_SOCKET, socket.SO_REUSEADDR, 1)
+    srv.bind((host, port))
+    print(f"UDP listening on {host}:{port}", flush=True)
+    while True:
+        data, addr = srv.recvfrom(65535)
+        resp = handle(data.decode())
+        srv.sendto(resp.encode(), addr)
+
+
+# ── Main ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+def main():
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="JSON-RPC echo server")
+    parser.add_argument("-c", "--config", required=True, help="Path to .ini config file")
+    args = parser.parse_args()
+
+    cfg = configparser.ConfigParser()
+    cfg.read(args.config)
+
+    tcp_host = cfg.get("jsonrpc_tcp", "host", fallback="0.0.0.0")
+    tcp_port = cfg.getint("jsonrpc_tcp", "port", fallback=4321)
+    udp_host = cfg.get("jsonrpc_udp", "host", fallback="0.0.0.0")
+    udp_port = cfg.getint("jsonrpc_udp", "port", fallback=4323)
+
+    tcp_thread = threading.Thread(target=_tcp_server, args=(tcp_host, tcp_port), daemon=True)
+    udp_thread = threading.Thread(target=_udp_server, args=(udp_host, udp_port), daemon=True)
+    tcp_thread.start()
+    udp_thread.start()
+
+    print("JSON-RPC echo server ready", flush=True)
+
+    try:
+        tcp_thread.join()
+    except KeyboardInterrupt:
+        sys.exit(0)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()

test/validation/items/jsonrpc/test.tum

@@ -1,27 +1,27 @@
 
 - console:
     name: json rpc echo server
-    doc: check if the jsonrpc echo server is installed
+    doc: check if jrpc_echo_server.py is available
     console_name: jrpces
     key: $(test)_PASS
     steps:
         - open:
             protocol: terminal
         - read_until: {expected: $(terminal_prompt), timeout: 1, no_fail: True}
-        - writeln: which jrpces
-        - read_until: {expected: jrpces, timeout: 2}
+        - writeln: test -f {{include_directory}}/jrpc_echo_server.py && echo JRPC_OK
+        - read_until: {expected: JRPC_OK, timeout: 2, no_fail: True}
 
 - group:
     name: jsonrpc tests
-    condition: <| '/jrpces' in r'''$(cn_json rpc echo server)''' |>
+    condition: <| 'JRPC_OK' in r'''$(cn_json rpc echo server)''' |>
     steps:
         - console:
             name: Start the json rpc echo server
             console_name: jrpces
             key: $(test)_PASS
             steps:
-                - writeln: jrpces -c {{include_directory}}/jrpces.ini
-                - read_until: {expected: $(terminal_prompt), timeout: 1, no_fail: True}
+                - writeln: python3 {{include_directory}}/jrpc_echo_server.py -c {{include_directory}}/jrpces.ini
+                - read_until: {expected: ready, timeout: 5}
 
         - console:
             name: Open the raw tcp Console

test/validation/items/lua_func/lua_func.lua

@@ -41,4 +41,12 @@ function module.get_context_value()
     return tm.gd("_lua_ctx_test_value")
 end
 
+function module.test_delgd()
+    tm.setgd("_lua_delgd_test", 42)
+    assert(tm.gd("_lua_delgd_test") == 42)
+    tm.delgd("_lua_delgd_test")
+    assert(tm.gd("_lua_delgd_test", "__deleted__") == "__deleted__")
+    return 0
+end
+
 return module

test/validation/items/lua_func/test.tum

@@ -180,6 +180,12 @@
                     func_name: tuple_return
                     param: [ 0, "OK" ]
 
+- lua_func:
+    name: delgd test
+    key: $(test)_PASS
+    file: $(test_path)$(psep)lua_func.lua
+    func_name: test_delgd
+
 - group:
     name: context_id tests
     steps:

test/validation/items/plot/test.tum

@@ -1,74 +1,73 @@
-- plot:
-    name: Open the plot
-    condition: $(validation_dialogs)
-    key: $(test)_PASS
-    plot_name: Mon Plot
-    steps:
-        - open:
-            log_path: $(validation_report_path)
-
-- plot:
-    name: Add periodic to the plot
-    condition: $(validation_dialogs)
-    key: $(test)_PASS
-    plot_name: Mon Plot
-    steps:
-        - periodic:
-            period:         1
-            file:           $(test_path)$(psep)plot.py
-            func_name:      random_value
-            eval:           '{"periodic": $(result)}'
-
-- sleep:
-    name: sleep
-    condition: $(validation_dialogs)
-    dialog: true
-    timeout: 3
-
-- loop:
-    name: Add of other data in the plot
-    condition: $(validation_dialogs)
-    iterator: 10
+- group:
+    name: Plot test
+    condition: <| $(validation_dialogs) and not tm.text_mode() |>
     steps:
 
         - plot:
-            name: Add to the plot
+            name: Open the plot
             key: $(test)_PASS
             plot_name: Mon Plot
             steps:
-                - add:
-                    value1: $(loop_index)
-                    value2: $(loop_index)+2
+                - open:
+                    log_path: $(validation_report_path)
+
+        - plot:
+            name: Add periodic to the plot
+            key: $(test)_PASS
+            plot_name: Mon Plot
+            steps:
+                - periodic:
+                    period:         1
+                    file:           $(test_path)$(psep)plot.py
+                    func_name:      random_value
+                    eval:           '{"periodic": $(result)}'
 
         - sleep:
-            name: sleep between values
-            timeout: 1
+            name: sleep
+            dialog: true
+            timeout: 3
 
-        - py_func:
-            name: last plot values
+        - loop:
+            name: Add of other data in the plot
+            iterator: 10
+            steps:
+
+                - plot:
+                    name: Add to the plot
+                    key: $(test)_PASS
+                    plot_name: Mon Plot
+                    steps:
+                        - add:
+                            value1: $(loop_index)
+                            value2: $(loop_index)+2
+
+                - sleep:
+                    name: sleep between values
+                    timeout: 1
+
+                - py_func:
+                    name: last plot values
+                    key: $(test)_PASS
+                    file: $(test_path)$(psep)plot.py
+                    func_name: LastValues
+                    param:
+                        - Mon Plot
+
+        - plot:
+            name: Export
+            execute_on_stop: True
             key: $(test)_PASS
-            file: $(test_path)$(psep)plot.py
-            func_name: LastValues
-            param:
-                - Mon Plot
+            plot_name: Mon Plot
+            steps:
+                - export: $(validation_report_path)/plot_export.pdf
+                - export: $(validation_report_path)/plot_export.csv
 
-- plot:
-    name: Export
-    execute_on_stop: True
-    condition: $(validation_dialogs)
-    key: $(test)_PASS
-    plot_name: Mon Plot
-    steps:
-        - export: $(validation_report_path)/plot_export.pdf
-        - export: $(validation_report_path)/plot_export.csv
-
-- plot:
-    name: Close the plot
-    execute_on_stop: True
-    condition: $(validation_dialogs)
-    key: $(test)_PASS
-    plot_name: Mon Plot
-    steps:
-        - close:
-            wait_dialog_exit: True
-            timeout: 60
+        - plot:
+            name: Close the plot
+            execute_on_stop: True
+            key: $(test)_PASS
+            plot_name: Mon Plot
+            steps:
+                - close:
+                    wait_dialog_exit: True
+                    timeout: 2

test/validation/items/py_func/py_func.py

@@ -47,3 +47,10 @@ def set_ns_value(val):
 def get_ns_value():
     obj = tm.gd("_py_ctx_ns_value", None)
     return obj.val if obj is not None else None
+
+def test_delgd():
+    tm.setgd("_py_delgd_test", 42)
+    assert tm.gd("_py_delgd_test") == 42
+    tm.delgd("_py_delgd_test")
+    assert tm.gd("_py_delgd_test", None) is None
+    return 0

test/validation/items/py_func/test.tum

@@ -190,6 +190,12 @@
                     param: [ 0, "OK" ]
                     expected_result: [0, "OK"]
 
+- py_func:
+    name: delgd test
+    key: $(test)_PASS
+    file: $(test_path)$(psep)py_func.py
+    func_name: test_delgd
+
 - group:
     name: context_id tests
     steps:

test/validation/items/run/param.yaml

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+no_param: Null

test/validation/items/run/sub_fail.tum

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+main:
+    name: run sub-test (always fail)
+    steps:
+        - check:
+            name: fail
+            values:
+                - false

test/validation/items/run/sub_pass.tum

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+main:
+    name: run sub-test (always pass)
+    steps:
+        - check:
+            name: pass
+            values:
+                - true

test/validation/items/run/test.tum

@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+# run item: launches a .tum file in a new testium instance.
+# In batch mode the sub-instance runs with -b; in GUI mode with -r.
+# The run item result is SUCCESS if the sub-instance launched successfully,
+# regardless of its own test result.
+
+- run:
+    name: run PASS (valid file, passing sub-test)
+    key: $(test)_PASS
+    tum: $(test_path)$(psep)sub_pass.tum
+
+- run:
+    name: run PASS (valid file, failing sub-test)
+    key: $(test)_PASS
+    tum: $(test_path)$(psep)sub_fail.tum
+
+- run:
+    name: run FAIL (file not found)
+    key: $(test)_FAIL
+    tum: $(test_path)$(psep)non_existent.tum
+
+- run:
+    name: run FAIL (wait_for_exec without time window)
+    key: $(test)_FAIL
+    tum: $(test_path)$(psep)sub_pass.tum
+    wait_for_exec: true

test/validation/param.yaml

@@ -30,8 +30,10 @@ linux_prompt: "$ "
 inc_no_template: "inc no template"
 inc_with_template: "inc with template"
 
-LUA_PATH_Linux: /usr/share/lua/5.4/?.lua;/usr/local/share/lua/5.4/?.lua;/usr/local/share/lua/5.4/?/init.lua;/usr/share/lua/5.4/?/init.lua;/usr/local/lib/lua/5.4/?.lua;/usr/local/lib/lua/5.4/?/init.lua;/usr/lib/lua/5.4/?.lua;/usr/lib/lua/5.4/?/init.lua;./?.lua;./?/init.lua;/home/francois/.luarocks/share/lua/5.4/?.lua;/home/francois/.luarocks/share/lua/5.4/?/init.lua
-LUA_CPATH_Linux: /usr/local/lib/lua/5.4/?.so;/usr/lib/lua/5.4/?.so;/usr/local/lib/lua/5.4/loadall.so;/usr/lib/lua/5.4/loadall.so;./?.so;/home/francois/.luarocks/lib/lua/5.4/?.so
+lua_rev: 5.5
+
+LUA_PATH_Linux: /usr/share/lua/$(lua_rev)/?.lua;/usr/local/share/lua/$(lua_rev)/?.lua;/usr/local/share/lua/$(lua_rev)/?/init.lua;/usr/share/lua/$(lua_rev)/?/init.lua;/usr/local/lib/lua/$(lua_rev)/?.lua;/usr/local/lib/lua/$(lua_rev)/?/init.lua;/usr/lib/lua/$(lua_rev)/?.lua;/usr/lib/lua/$(lua_rev)/?/init.lua;./?.lua;./?/init.lua;/home/francois/.luarocks/share/lua/$(lua_rev)/?.lua;/home/francois/.luarocks/share/lua/$(lua_rev)/?/init.lua
+LUA_CPATH_Linux: /usr/local/lib/lua/$(lua_rev)/?.so;/usr/lib/lua/$(lua_rev)/?.so;/usr/local/lib/lua/$(lua_rev)/loadall.so;/usr/lib/lua/$(lua_rev)/loadall.so;./?.so;/home/francois/.luarocks/lib/lua/$(lua_rev)/?.so
 PATH_Linux:
 
 LUA_PATH_Windows: ;.\?.lua;C:\Lua\5.1\lua\?.lua;C:\Lua\5.1\lua\?\init.lua;C:\Lua\5.1\?.lua;C:\Lua\5.1\?\init.lua;C:\Lua\5.1\lua\?.luac