OpenTAP: Fix Package Resolution On Custom Ports

by Alex Johnson 48 views

#OpenTAP, a powerful test automation platform, offers flexibility in managing and resolving packages. However, a common issue arises when attempting to resolve packages from repositories hosted on non-standard ports. This article delves into the intricacies of package resolution in OpenTAP, specifically addressing the "Domain should only be the host part of a URI and not a full absolute URI" error. We will explore the root cause of this issue, provide a step-by-step guide to reproduce the error, discuss the expected behavior, and ultimately, offer solutions and workarounds to ensure seamless package resolution on any port.

Understanding the Issue: Package Resolution on Non-Standard Ports in OpenTAP

When working with OpenTAP, you might encounter a situation where your package repository is hosted on a port other than the standard HTTP (port 80) or HTTPS (port 443). This is perfectly valid, especially in development or testing environments where you might want to isolate your repository. However, OpenTAP's default package resolution mechanism might not handle these non-standard ports gracefully. The core problem lies in how OpenTAP parses and interprets the repository URL. It expects the domain to be simply the host part of the URI, not a full absolute URI that includes the port number. This limitation can lead to the frustrating error message: Domain should only be the host part of a URI and not a full absolute URI.

This error essentially means that OpenTAP's package manager is struggling to correctly identify and connect to your repository when it's hosted on a custom port. While it might seem like a minor inconvenience, it can significantly hinder your workflow, especially if you rely on package repositories for managing dependencies and distributing test steps. To fully grasp the issue, it's crucial to understand the underlying architecture of OpenTAP's package management and how it interacts with different URI formats. This understanding will not only help you troubleshoot this specific problem but also empower you to navigate other potential challenges in the future. We'll delve deeper into the technical aspects later in the article, but for now, let's focus on reproducing the error and understanding the expected behavior.

Reproducing the Error: A Step-by-Step Guide

To effectively address the package resolution issue in OpenTAP, it's essential to first reproduce the error. This allows you to confirm that you're facing the same problem and to verify that any solutions you implement are indeed effective. Here's a detailed, step-by-step guide to reproduce the "Domain should only be the host part of a URI and not a full absolute URI" error:

  1. Set up a Repository on a Non-Standard Port: The first step is to host a package repository on a port other than 80 or 443. You can use various tools and methods for this, such as a simple HTTP server or a dedicated repository manager. For example, you could use Python's built-in http.server module for a quick and easy setup. Simply navigate to a directory containing your package files in your terminal and run the command python -m http.server <port_number>, replacing <port_number> with your desired port (e.g., 8080). This will start a basic HTTP server serving files from that directory on the specified port.
  2. Configure OpenTAP to Use the Custom Repository: Next, you need to tell OpenTAP to use the repository you just set up. This typically involves adding the repository URL to your OpenTAP configuration. You can do this using the tap package command-line tool. The crucial part here is to include the port number in the repository URL. For instance, if your repository is running on localhost at port 8080, the URL would be http://localhost:8080.
  3. Run the tap package list Command: Now, attempt to list the packages available in your repository using the tap package list command. This command is used to retrieve a list of packages from a specified repository. When you run this command with the URL that includes the non-standard port, OpenTAP will attempt to resolve the repository address.
  4. Observe the Error: If everything is set up correctly, you should encounter the error message: Domain should only be the host part of a URI and not a full absolute URI. This confirms that OpenTAP is failing to parse the URL correctly due to the presence of the port number within the domain part.

By following these steps, you can reliably reproduce the error and gain a clear understanding of the issue. This will be invaluable as you explore potential solutions and workarounds.

Expected Behavior: Seamless Package Listing

The expected behavior when interacting with a package repository in OpenTAP is that the tap package command should function smoothly, regardless of the port on which the repository is hosted. Specifically, when you run `tap package list -r