Functional test fixtures simulate real-world conditions, whereas ICT is more focused on detecting assembly defects like short circuits or missing components.
[5][6] For example, the Ruby on Rails web framework uses YAML to initialize a database with known parameters before running a test.
This software is created in order to ensure optimal testing performance and seamless integration.
A disadvantage is that it could lead to duplication of test fixtures if using in-line setup.
[5] Examples of fixtures include loading a database with a specific known set of data, erasing a hard disk and installing a known clean operating system installation, copying a specific known set of files, or the preparation of input data as well as set-up and creation of mock objects.
[10] Frequently fixtures are created by handling setUp() and tearDown() events of the unit testing framework.
In setUp() one would create the expected state for the test and in tearDown() it would clean up what had been set up.
Mechanical holding apparatuses provide the clamping force via arms, wedges or eccentric wheel to the jaws.