ReqIF is spreading, and partners start handing .reqif and .reqifz files back and forth. But chances are that the first import of such a file will fail. How do you debug the problem? Consequent, the free ReqIF-Validator, may provide the answer.
There are two versions of Consequent available, GUI and Console.
Differences at a Glance
| Topic | GUI | Command Line |
|---|---|---|
| Cross-File-Validation | Only one ReqIF file is validated, cross-file SpecRelations are ignored. | SpecRelations across files are validated, if all relevant .reqif files are provided as arguments. |
| Selective disabling of rules | Individual rules can be disabled via Window | Preferences | Model Validation | Constraints. |
All rules are always applied. |
| Error Markers | Error markers are created, which allow to see errors in a text editor | Line numbers are provided in the output |
| Saving results | Upon validating, the user can save as XML. | The output of the tool is plain text or XML (with -x option). It can be redirected into a file. |
Usage GUI Version
The latest version of ReqiF Studio comes with an integrated version of Consequent. Use it as follows:
- Right-Click the file to be validated in the Project Explorer (no need to open the file)
- Select Validate | Consequent ReqIF Validation
- A dialog indicates the completion of the validation, which is shown in the Problem View.
- If the Problem View is not visible, open it by hand via Window | Show View | Other… | General | Problems
- To see the error in the file, you must open it in a text editor as follows:
- Right-Click the file in the Project Explorer
- Select Open With | Text Editor
- Errors are shown with an icon in the left margin (hovering over the error reveals the problem) – see screenshot below
- For errors with line numbers, it is possible to double click on an error in the Problem View to jump to the corresponding position in the Text Editor
- Error markers do not reset automatically. Re-run the validation to update them. You can manually clear error markes (e.g. for files that do not exist any more) by right-clicking on an element in the Problem View and selecting Delete.
In the Text Editor, errors are shown like this (with the mouse hovering over the icon):
I saw that Asaro Q-Checker is now replacing Consequent as the validator; do you anticipate continued support for Consequent? And what will this mean for ReqIFStudio embedded validation in the long term – or is it too early to tell? Thanks and happy holidays.
Hi John,
We’re trying to get in touch with Asaro to understand what they plan on doing. But we’ll definitely continue to support Consequent.
Best – Michael