In software testing, a test harness or automated test
framework is a collection of software and test data
configured to test a program unit by running it under
varying conditions and monitoring its behavior and outputs. 

It has two main parts: the Test execution engine and the
Test script repository.

Test harnesses allow for the automation of tests. They can
call functions with supplied parameters and print out and
compare the results to the desired value. The test harness
is a hook to the developed code, which can be tested using
an automation framework.

A test harness should allow specific tests to run (this
helps in optimizing), orchestrate a runtime environment, and
provide a capability to analyze results.

The typical objectives of a test harness are to:

    * Automate the testing process.
    * Execute test suites of test cases.
    * Generate associated test reports.

A test harness may provide some of the following benefits:

    * Increased productivity due to automation of the
testing process.
    * Increased probability that regression testing will occur.
    * Increased quality of software components and application.


with regards
Preethi.G