Introduction

This document describes the programmatic interface to OpenTAP and shows how to get started using OpenTAP for implementing test steps, instrument plugins, DUT plugins and result listeners.

Audience

This document is written for somebody who wants to develop OpenTAP plugins or integrate OpenTAP into their own applications using the C# programming language. It is not a reference manual, but rather a document that describes the principles behind OpenTAP and how to use its most important features from a programmer's perspective. If you are looking for Python developer documentation, go here.

For development, we recommend using the following software:

• Visual Studio, JetBrains Rider or Visual Studio Code.
• .NET 9 SDK (Included in the installer.)
• Windows 11, Linux (Ubuntu >22.04) or MacOS (>26.6)

Note: If you are upgrading from an earlier version (e.g. 9.28), .NET 9 is not automatically installed during the upgrade. You must install .NET 9 before running tap. See Migrating to .NET 9 for details.

Suggested Resources

VISA driver e.g. Keysight I/O libraries for instrument communication

PathWave Test Automation

Together with OpenTAP it is recommended to use a Graphical User Interface. Keysight Technologies offers both enterprise and community licensed versions of PathWave Test Automation Developer's System that provides a highly flexible graphical user interface and code examples.