Check for actual content before using file

5 files changed, 298 insertions, 264 deletions

diff --git a/config/cmake/jrunTest.cmake b/config/cmake/jrunTest.cmake
index ee4517c..d53860c 100644
--- a/config/cmake/jrunTest.cmake
+++ b/config/cmake/jrunTest.cmake
@@ -75,16 +75,19 @@ message (STATUS "COMMAND Result: ${TEST_RESULT}")
 # if the .err file exists and ERRROR_APPEND is enabled
 if (EXISTS "${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT}.err")
   file (READ ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT}.err TEST_STREAM)
-  if (TEST_MASK_FILE)
-    STRING(REGEX REPLACE "CurrentDir is [^\n]+\n" "CurrentDir is (dir name)\n" TEST_STREAM "${TEST_STREAM}")
-  endif ()
+  list(LENGTH TEST_STREAM test_len)
+  if (test_len GREATER 0)
+    if (TEST_MASK_FILE)
+      STRING(REGEX REPLACE "CurrentDir is [^\n]+\n" "CurrentDir is (dir name)\n" TEST_STREAM "${TEST_STREAM}")
+    endif ()
 
-  if (NOT ERROR_APPEND)
-    # write back to original .err file
-    file (WRITE ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT}.err "${TEST_STREAM}")
-  else ()
-    # append error output to the stdout output file
-    file (APPEND ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} "${TEST_STREAM}")
+    if (NOT ERROR_APPEND)
+      # write back to original .err file
+      file (WRITE ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT}.err "${TEST_STREAM}")
+    else ()
+      # append error output to the stdout output file
+      file (APPEND ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} "${TEST_STREAM}")
+    endif ()
   endif ()
 endif ()
 
@@ -124,60 +127,64 @@ message (STATUS "COMMAND Error: ${TEST_ERROR}")
 # compare output files to references unless this must be skipped
 if (NOT TEST_SKIP_COMPARE)
   if (EXISTS "${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE}")
-    if (WIN32 OR MINGW)
-      configure_file(${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE}.tmp NEWLINE_STYLE CRLF)
-      if (EXISTS "${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE}.tmp")
-        file(RENAME ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE}.tmp ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE})
+    file (READ ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} TEST_STREAM)
+    list(LENGTH TEST_STREAM test_len)
+    if (test_len GREATER 0)
+      if (WIN32 OR MINGW)
+        configure_file(${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE}.tmp NEWLINE_STYLE CRLF)
+        if (EXISTS "${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE}.tmp")
+          file(RENAME ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE}.tmp ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE})
+        endif ()
+        #file (READ ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} TEST_STREAM)
+        #file (WRITE ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} "${TEST_STREAM}")
       endif ()
-      #file (READ ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} TEST_STREAM)
-      #file (WRITE ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} "${TEST_STREAM}")
-    endif ()
 
-    if (NOT TEST_SORT_COMPARE)
-      # now compare the output with the reference
-      execute_process (
-          COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E compare_files ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE}
-          RESULT_VARIABLE TEST_RESULT
-      )
-    else ()
-      file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} v1)
-      file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} v2)
-      list (SORT v1)
-      list (SORT v2)
-      if (NOT v1 STREQUAL v2)
-        set(TEST_RESULT 1)
+      if (NOT TEST_SORT_COMPARE)
+        # now compare the output with the reference
+        execute_process (
+            COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E compare_files ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE}
+            RESULT_VARIABLE TEST_RESULT
+        )
+      else ()
+        file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} v1)
+        file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} v2)
+        list (SORT v1)
+        list (SORT v2)
+        if (NOT v1 STREQUAL v2)
+          set(TEST_RESULT 1)
+        endif ()
       endif ()
-    endif ()
 
-    if (TEST_RESULT)
-      set (TEST_RESULT 0)
-      file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} test_act)
-      list (LENGTH test_act len_act)
-      file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} test_ref)
-      list (LENGTH test_ref len_ref)
-      if (len_act GREATER 0 AND len_ref GREATER 0)
-        math (EXPR _FP_LEN "${len_ref} - 1")
-        foreach (line RANGE 0 ${_FP_LEN})
-          list (GET test_act ${line} str_act)
-          list (GET test_ref ${line} str_ref)
-          if (NOT str_act STREQUAL str_ref)
-            if (str_act)
-              set (TEST_RESULT 1)
-              message (STATUS "line = ${line}\n***ACTUAL: ${str_act}\n****REFER: ${str_ref}\n")
+      if (TEST_RESULT)
+        set (TEST_RESULT 0)
+        file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} test_act)
+        list (LENGTH test_act len_act)
+        file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} test_ref)
+        list (LENGTH test_ref len_ref)
+        if (len_act GREATER 0 AND len_ref GREATER 0)
+          math (EXPR _FP_LEN "${len_ref} - 1")
+          foreach (line RANGE 0 ${_FP_LEN})
+            list (GET test_act ${line} str_act)
+            list (GET test_ref ${line} str_ref)
+            if (NOT str_act STREQUAL str_ref)
+              if (str_act)
+                set (TEST_RESULT 1)
+                message (STATUS "line = ${line}\n***ACTUAL: ${str_act}\n****REFER: ${str_ref}\n")
+              endif ()
             endif ()
+          endforeach ()
+        else ()
+          if (len_act EQUAL 0)
+            message (STATUS "COMPARE Failed: ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} is empty")
+          endif ()
+          if (len_ref EQUAL 0)
+            message (STATUS "COMPARE Failed: ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} is empty")
           endif ()
-        endforeach ()
-      else ()
-        if (len_act EQUAL 0)
-          message (STATUS "COMPARE Failed: ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} is empty")
         endif ()
-        if (len_ref EQUAL 0)
-          message (STATUS "COMPARE Failed: ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} is empty")
+        if (NOT len_act EQUAL len_ref)
+          set (TEST_RESULT 1)
         endif ()
       endif ()
-      if (NOT len_act EQUAL len_ref)
-        set (TEST_RESULT 1)
-      endif ()
     endif ()
 
     message (STATUS "COMPARE Result: ${TEST_RESULT}")
@@ -190,50 +197,56 @@ if (NOT TEST_SKIP_COMPARE)
 
   # now compare the .err file with the error reference, if supplied
   if (TEST_ERRREF)
-    if (WIN32 OR MINGW)
-      configure_file(${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF} ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF}.tmp NEWLINE_STYLE CRLF)
-      if (EXISTS "${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF}.tmp")
-        file(RENAME ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF}.tmp ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF})
-      endif ()
-      #file (READ ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF} TEST_STREAM)
-      #file (WRITE ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF} "${TEST_STREAM}")
-    endif ()
+    if (EXISTS "${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF}")
+      file (READ ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF} TEST_STREAM)
+      list(LENGTH TEST_STREAM test_len)
+      if (test_len GREATER 0)
+        if (WIN32 OR MINGW)
+          configure_file(${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF} ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF}.tmp NEWLINE_STYLE CRLF)
+          if (EXISTS "${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF}.tmp")
+            file(RENAME ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF}.tmp ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF})
+          endif ()
+          #file (READ ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF} TEST_STREAM)
+          #file (WRITE ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF} "${TEST_STREAM}")
+        endif ()
 
-    # now compare the error output with the error reference
-    execute_process (
-        COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E compare_files ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT}.err ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF}
-        RESULT_VARIABLE TEST_RESULT
-    )
-    if (TEST_RESULT)
-      set (TEST_RESULT 0)
-      file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT}.err test_act)
-      list (LENGTH test_act len_act)
-      file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF} test_ref)
-      list (LENGTH test_ref len_ref)
-      math (EXPR _FP_LEN "${len_ref} - 1")
-      if (len_act GREATER 0 AND len_ref GREATER 0)
-        math (EXPR _FP_LEN "${len_ref} - 1")
-        foreach (line RANGE 0 ${_FP_LEN})
-          list (GET test_act ${line} str_act)
-          list (GET test_ref ${line} str_ref)
-          if (NOT str_act STREQUAL str_ref)
-            if (str_act)
-              set (TEST_RESULT 1)
-              message (STATUS "line = ${line}\n***ACTUAL: ${str_act}\n****REFER: ${str_ref}\n")
+        # now compare the error output with the error reference
+        execute_process (
+            COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E compare_files ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT}.err ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF}
+            RESULT_VARIABLE TEST_RESULT
+        )
+        if (TEST_RESULT)
+          set (TEST_RESULT 0)
+          file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT}.err test_act)
+          list (LENGTH test_act len_act)
+          file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF} test_ref)
+          list (LENGTH test_ref len_ref)
+          math (EXPR _FP_LEN "${len_ref} - 1")
+          if (len_act GREATER 0 AND len_ref GREATER 0)
+            math (EXPR _FP_LEN "${len_ref} - 1")
+            foreach (line RANGE 0 ${_FP_LEN})
+              list (GET test_act ${line} str_act)
+              list (GET test_ref ${line} str_ref)
+              if (NOT str_act STREQUAL str_ref)
+                if (str_act)
+                  set (TEST_RESULT 1)
+                  message (STATUS "line = ${line}\n***ACTUAL: ${str_act}\n****REFER: ${str_ref}\n")
+                endif ()
+              endif ()
+            endforeach ()
+          else ()
+            if (len_act EQUAL 0)
+              message (STATUS "COMPARE Failed: ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT}.err is empty")
+            endif ()
+            if (len_ref EQUAL 0)
+              message (STATUS "COMPARE Failed: ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF} is empty")
             endif ()
           endif ()
-        endforeach ()
-      else ()
-        if (len_act EQUAL 0)
-          message (STATUS "COMPARE Failed: ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT}.err is empty")
-        endif ()
-        if (len_ref EQUAL 0)
-          message (STATUS "COMPARE Failed: ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF} is empty")
+          if (NOT len_act EQUAL len_ref)
+            set (TEST_RESULT 1)
+          endif ()
         endif ()
       endif ()
-      if (NOT len_act EQUAL len_ref)
-        set (TEST_RESULT 1)
-      endif ()
     endif ()
 
     message (STATUS "COMPARE Result: ${TEST_RESULT}")
@@ -248,20 +261,22 @@ endif ()
 if (TEST_GREP_COMPARE)
   # now grep the output with the reference
   file (READ ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} TEST_STREAM)
+  list(LENGTH TEST_STREAM test_len)
+  if (test_len GREATER 0)
+    # TEST_REFERENCE should always be matched
+    string (REGEX MATCH "${TEST_REFERENCE}" TEST_MATCH ${TEST_STREAM})
+    string (COMPARE EQUAL "${TEST_REFERENCE}" "${TEST_MATCH}" TEST_RESULT)
+    if (NOT TEST_RESULT)
+      message (FATAL_ERROR "Failed: The output of ${TEST_PROGRAM} did not contain ${TEST_REFERENCE}")
+    endif ()
 
-  # TEST_REFERENCE should always be matched
-  string (REGEX MATCH "${TEST_REFERENCE}" TEST_MATCH ${TEST_STREAM})
-  string (COMPARE EQUAL "${TEST_REFERENCE}" "${TEST_MATCH}" TEST_RESULT)
-  if (NOT TEST_RESULT)
-    message (FATAL_ERROR "Failed: The output of ${TEST_PROGRAM} did not contain ${TEST_REFERENCE}")
-  endif ()
-
-  string (REGEX MATCH "${TEST_FILTER}" TEST_MATCH ${TEST_STREAM})
-  if (TEST_EXPECT)
-    # TEST_EXPECT (1) interprets TEST_FILTER as; NOT to match
-    string (LENGTH "${TEST_MATCH}" TEST_RESULT)
-    if (TEST_RESULT)
-      message (FATAL_ERROR "Failed: The output of ${TEST_PROGRAM} did contain ${TEST_FILTER}")
+    string (REGEX MATCH "${TEST_FILTER}" TEST_MATCH ${TEST_STREAM})
+    if (TEST_EXPECT)
+      # TEST_EXPECT (1) interprets TEST_FILTER as; NOT to match
+      string (LENGTH "${TEST_MATCH}" TEST_RESULT)
+      if (TEST_RESULT)
+        message (FATAL_ERROR "Failed: The output of ${TEST_PROGRAM} did contain ${TEST_FILTER}")
+      endif ()
     endif ()
   endif ()
 endif ()
diff --git a/config/cmake/vfdTest.cmake b/config/cmake/vfdTest.cmake
index 12ee40b..c07d005 100644
--- a/config/cmake/vfdTest.cmake
+++ b/config/cmake/vfdTest.cmake
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ if (NOT TEST_RESULT EQUAL TEST_EXPECT)
   if (NOT TEST_NOERRDISPLAY)
     if (EXISTS "${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT}_${TEST_VFD}.out")
       file (READ ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT}_${TEST_VFD}.out TEST_STREAM)
-    message (STATUS "Output USING ${TEST_VFD}:\n${TEST_STREAM}")
+      message (STATUS "Output USING ${TEST_VFD}:\n${TEST_STREAM}")
     endif ()
   endif ()
   message (FATAL_ERROR "Failed: Test program ${TEST_PROGRAM} exited != ${TEST_EXPECT}.\n${TEST_ERROR}")
diff --git a/config/cmake/volTest.cmake b/config/cmake/volTest.cmake
index 1dcd2b1..e735109 100644
--- a/config/cmake/volTest.cmake
+++ b/config/cmake/volTest.cmake
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ if (NOT TEST_RESULT EQUAL TEST_EXPECT)
   if (NOT TEST_NOERRDISPLAY)
     if (EXISTS "${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT}.out")
       file (READ ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT}.out TEST_STREAM)
-    message (STATUS "Output USING ${TEST_VOL}:\n${TEST_STREAM}")
+      message (STATUS "Output USING ${TEST_VOL}:\n${TEST_STREAM}")
     endif ()
   endif ()
   message (FATAL_ERROR "Failed: Test program ${TEST_PROGRAM} exited != ${TEST_EXPECT}.\n${TEST_ERROR}")
diff --git a/config/cmake_ext_mod/grepTest.cmake b/config/cmake_ext_mod/grepTest.cmake
index a6f1c7f..ead22a7 100644
--- a/config/cmake_ext_mod/grepTest.cmake
+++ b/config/cmake_ext_mod/grepTest.cmake
@@ -86,71 +86,77 @@ if (TEST_ERRREF)
   # if the .err file exists grep the error output with the error reference before comparing stdout
   if (EXISTS "${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT}.err")
     file (READ ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT}.err TEST_ERR_STREAM)
-
-    # TEST_ERRREF should always be matched
-    string (REGEX MATCH "${TEST_ERRREF}" TEST_MATCH ${TEST_ERR_STREAM})
-    string (COMPARE EQUAL "${TEST_ERRREF}" "${TEST_MATCH}" TEST_RESULT)
-    if (NOT TEST_RESULT)
-      message (FATAL_ERROR "Failed: The error output of ${TEST_PROGRAM} did not contain ${TEST_ERRREF}")
+    list(LENGTH TEST_ERR_STREAM test_len)
+    if (test_len GREATER 0)
+      # TEST_ERRREF should always be matched
+      string (REGEX MATCH "${TEST_ERRREF}" TEST_MATCH ${TEST_ERR_STREAM})
+      string (COMPARE EQUAL "${TEST_ERRREF}" "${TEST_MATCH}" TEST_RESULT)
+      if (NOT TEST_RESULT)
+        message (FATAL_ERROR "Failed: The error output of ${TEST_PROGRAM} did not contain ${TEST_ERRREF}")
+      endif ()
     endif ()
   endif ()
 
   #always compare output file to reference unless this must be skipped
   if (NOT TEST_SKIP_COMPARE)
     if (EXISTS "${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE}")
-      if (WIN32 OR MINGW)
-        configure_file(${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE}.tmp NEWLINE_STYLE CRLF)
-        if (EXISTS "${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE}.tmp")
-          file(RENAME ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE}.tmp ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE})
+      file (READ ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} TEST_STREAM)
+      list(LENGTH TEST_STREAM test_len)
+      if (test_len GREATER 0)
+        if (WIN32 OR MINGW)
+          configure_file(${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE}.tmp NEWLINE_STYLE CRLF)
+          if (EXISTS "${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE}.tmp")
+            file(RENAME ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE}.tmp ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE})
+          endif ()
+          #file (READ ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} TEST_STREAM)
+          #file (WRITE ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} "${TEST_STREAM}")
         endif ()
-        #file (READ ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} TEST_STREAM)
-        #file (WRITE ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} "${TEST_STREAM}")
-      endif ()
-      if (NOT TEST_SORT_COMPARE)
-        # now compare the output with the reference
-        execute_process (
-            COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E compare_files ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE}
-            RESULT_VARIABLE TEST_RESULT
-        )
-      else ()
-        file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} v1)
-        file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} v2)
-        list (SORT v1)
-        list (SORT v2)
-        if (NOT v1 STREQUAL v2)
-          set(TEST_RESULT 1)
+        if (NOT TEST_SORT_COMPARE)
+          # now compare the output with the reference
+          execute_process (
+              COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E compare_files ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE}
+              RESULT_VARIABLE TEST_RESULT
+          )
+        else ()
+          file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} v1)
+          file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} v2)
+          list (SORT v1)
+          list (SORT v2)
+          if (NOT v1 STREQUAL v2)
+            set(TEST_RESULT 1)
+          endif ()
         endif ()
-      endif ()
 
-      if (TEST_RESULT)
-        set (TEST_RESULT 0)
-        file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} test_act)
-        list (LENGTH test_act len_act)
-        file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} test_ref)
-        list (LENGTH test_ref len_ref)
-        if (len_act GREATER 0 AND len_ref GREATER 0)
-          math (EXPR _FP_LEN "${len_ref} - 1")
-          foreach (line RANGE 0 ${_FP_LEN})
-            list (GET test_act ${line} str_act)
-            list (GET test_ref ${line} str_ref)
-            if (NOT str_act STREQUAL str_ref)
-              if (str_act)
-                set (TEST_RESULT 1)
-                message (STATUS "line = ${line}\n***ACTUAL: ${str_act}\n****REFER: ${str_ref}\n")
+        if (TEST_RESULT)
+          set (TEST_RESULT 0)
+          file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} test_act)
+          list (LENGTH test_act len_act)
+          file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} test_ref)
+          list (LENGTH test_ref len_ref)
+          if (len_act GREATER 0 AND len_ref GREATER 0)
+            math (EXPR _FP_LEN "${len_ref} - 1")
+            foreach (line RANGE 0 ${_FP_LEN})
+              list (GET test_act ${line} str_act)
+              list (GET test_ref ${line} str_ref)
+              if (NOT str_act STREQUAL str_ref)
+                if (str_act)
+                  set (TEST_RESULT 1)
+                  message (STATUS "line = ${line}\n***ACTUAL: ${str_act}\n****REFER: ${str_ref}\n")
+                endif ()
               endif ()
+            endforeach ()
+          else ()
+            if (len_act EQUAL 0)
+              message (STATUS "COMPARE Failed: ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} is empty")
+            endif ()
+            if (len_ref EQUAL 0)
+              message (STATUS "COMPARE Failed: ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} is empty")
             endif ()
-          endforeach ()
-        else ()
-          if (len_act EQUAL 0)
-            message (STATUS "COMPARE Failed: ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} is empty")
           endif ()
-          if (len_ref EQUAL 0)
-            message (STATUS "COMPARE Failed: ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} is empty")
+          if (NOT len_act EQUAL len_ref)
+            set (TEST_RESULT 1)
           endif ()
         endif ()
-        if (NOT len_act EQUAL len_ref)
-          set (TEST_RESULT 1)
-        endif ()
       endif ()
 
       message (STATUS "COMPARE Result: ${TEST_RESULT}")
diff --git a/config/cmake_ext_mod/runTest.cmake b/config/cmake_ext_mod/runTest.cmake
index 0c4a5a0..56e7add 100644
--- a/config/cmake_ext_mod/runTest.cmake
+++ b/config/cmake_ext_mod/runTest.cmake
@@ -90,18 +90,21 @@ message (STATUS "COMMAND Result: ${TEST_RESULT}")
 # if the .err file exists and ERRROR_APPEND is enabled
 if (EXISTS "${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT}.err")
   file (READ ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT}.err TEST_STREAM)
-  if (TEST_MASK_FILE)
-    STRING(REGEX REPLACE "CurrentDir is [^\n]+\n" "CurrentDir is (dir name)\n" TEST_STREAM "${TEST_STREAM}")
-  endif ()
-  # remove special output
-  string (REGEX REPLACE "^.*_pmi_alps[^\n]+\n" "" TEST_STREAM "${TEST_STREAM}")
+  list(LENGTH TEST_STREAM test_len)
+  if (test_len GREATER 0)
+    if (TEST_MASK_FILE)
+      STRING(REGEX REPLACE "CurrentDir is [^\n]+\n" "CurrentDir is (dir name)\n" TEST_STREAM "${TEST_STREAM}")
+    endif ()
+    # remove special output
+    string (REGEX REPLACE "^.*_pmi_alps[^\n]+\n" "" TEST_STREAM "${TEST_STREAM}")
 
-  if (NOT ERROR_APPEND)
-    # write back to original .err file
-    file (WRITE ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT}.err "${TEST_STREAM}")
-  else ()
-    # append error output to the stdout output file
-    file (APPEND ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} "${TEST_STREAM}")
+    if (NOT ERROR_APPEND)
+      # write back to original .err file
+      file (WRITE ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT}.err "${TEST_STREAM}")
+    else ()
+      # append error output to the stdout output file
+      file (APPEND ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} "${TEST_STREAM}")
+    endif ()
   endif ()
 endif ()
 
@@ -205,60 +208,64 @@ endif ()
 # compare output files to references unless this must be skipped
 if (NOT TEST_SKIP_COMPARE)
   if (EXISTS "${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE}")
-    if (WIN32 OR MINGW)
-      configure_file(${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE}.tmp NEWLINE_STYLE CRLF)
-      if (EXISTS "${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE}.tmp")
-        file(RENAME ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE}.tmp ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE})
+    file (READ ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} TEST_STREAM)
+    list(LENGTH TEST_STREAM test_len)
+    if (test_len GREATER 0)
+      if (WIN32 OR MINGW)
+        configure_file(${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE}.tmp NEWLINE_STYLE CRLF)
+        if (EXISTS "${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE}.tmp")
+          file(RENAME ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE}.tmp ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE})
+        endif ()
+        #file (READ ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} TEST_STREAM)
+        #file (WRITE ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} "${TEST_STREAM}")
       endif ()
-      #file (READ ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} TEST_STREAM)
-      #file (WRITE ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} "${TEST_STREAM}")
-    endif ()
 
-    if (NOT TEST_SORT_COMPARE)
-      # now compare the output with the reference
-      execute_process (
-          COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E compare_files ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE}
-          RESULT_VARIABLE TEST_RESULT
-      )
-    else ()
-      file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} v1)
-      file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} v2)
-      list (SORT v1)
-      list (SORT v2)
-      if (NOT v1 STREQUAL v2)
-        set(TEST_RESULT 1)
+      if (NOT TEST_SORT_COMPARE)
+        # now compare the output with the reference
+        execute_process (
+            COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E compare_files ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE}
+            RESULT_VARIABLE TEST_RESULT
+        )
+      else ()
+        file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} v1)
+        file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} v2)
+        list (SORT v1)
+        list (SORT v2)
+        if (NOT v1 STREQUAL v2)
+          set(TEST_RESULT 1)
+        endif ()
       endif ()
-    endif ()
 
-    if (TEST_RESULT)
-      set (TEST_RESULT 0)
-      file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} test_act)
-      list (LENGTH test_act len_act)
-      file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} test_ref)
-      list (LENGTH test_ref len_ref)
-      if (len_act GREATER 0 AND len_ref GREATER 0)
-        math (EXPR _FP_LEN "${len_ref} - 1")
-        foreach (line RANGE 0 ${_FP_LEN})
-          list (GET test_act ${line} str_act)
-          list (GET test_ref ${line} str_ref)
-          if (NOT str_act STREQUAL str_ref)
-            if (str_act)
-              set (TEST_RESULT 1)
-              message (STATUS "line = ${line}\n***ACTUAL: ${str_act}\n****REFER: ${str_ref}\n")
+      if (TEST_RESULT)
+        set (TEST_RESULT 0)
+        file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} test_act)
+        list (LENGTH test_act len_act)
+        file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} test_ref)
+        list (LENGTH test_ref len_ref)
+        if (len_act GREATER 0 AND len_ref GREATER 0)
+          math (EXPR _FP_LEN "${len_ref} - 1")
+          foreach (line RANGE 0 ${_FP_LEN})
+            list (GET test_act ${line} str_act)
+            list (GET test_ref ${line} str_ref)
+            if (NOT str_act STREQUAL str_ref)
+              if (str_act)
+                set (TEST_RESULT 1)
+                message (STATUS "line = ${line}\n***ACTUAL: ${str_act}\n****REFER: ${str_ref}\n")
+              endif ()
             endif ()
+          endforeach ()
+        else ()
+          if (len_act EQUAL 0)
+            message (STATUS "COMPARE Failed: ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} is empty")
+          endif ()
+          if (len_ref EQUAL 0)
+            message (STATUS "COMPARE Failed: ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} is empty")
           endif ()
-        endforeach ()
-      else ()
-        if (len_act EQUAL 0)
-          message (STATUS "COMPARE Failed: ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} is empty")
         endif ()
-        if (len_ref EQUAL 0)
-          message (STATUS "COMPARE Failed: ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_REFERENCE} is empty")
+        if (NOT len_act EQUAL len_ref)
+          set (TEST_RESULT 1)
         endif ()
       endif ()
-      if (NOT len_act EQUAL len_ref)
-        set (TEST_RESULT 1)
-      endif ()
     endif ()
 
     message (STATUS "COMPARE Result: ${TEST_RESULT}")
@@ -271,50 +278,54 @@ if (NOT TEST_SKIP_COMPARE)
 
   # now compare the .err file with the error reference, if supplied
   if (TEST_ERRREF)
-    if (WIN32 OR MINGW)
-      configure_file(${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF} ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF}.tmp NEWLINE_STYLE CRLF)
-      if (EXISTS "${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF}.tmp")
-        file(RENAME ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF}.tmp ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF})
+    file (READ ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF} TEST_STREAM)
+    list(LENGTH TEST_STREAM test_len)
+    if (test_len GREATER 0)
+      if (WIN32 OR MINGW)
+        configure_file(${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF} ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF}.tmp NEWLINE_STYLE CRLF)
+        if (EXISTS "${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF}.tmp")
+          file(RENAME ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF}.tmp ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF})
+        endif ()
+        #file (READ ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF} TEST_STREAM)
+        #file (WRITE ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF} "${TEST_STREAM}")
       endif ()
-      #file (READ ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF} TEST_STREAM)
-      #file (WRITE ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF} "${TEST_STREAM}")
-    endif ()
 
-    # now compare the error output with the error reference
-    execute_process (
-        COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E compare_files ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT}.err ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF}
-        RESULT_VARIABLE TEST_RESULT
-    )
-    if (TEST_RESULT)
-      set (TEST_RESULT 0)
-      file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT}.err test_act)
-      list (LENGTH test_act len_act)
-      file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF} test_ref)
-      list (LENGTH test_ref len_ref)
-      math (EXPR _FP_LEN "${len_ref} - 1")
-      if (len_act GREATER 0 AND len_ref GREATER 0)
+      # now compare the error output with the error reference
+      execute_process (
+          COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E compare_files ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT}.err ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF}
+          RESULT_VARIABLE TEST_RESULT
+      )
+      if (TEST_RESULT)
+        set (TEST_RESULT 0)
+        file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT}.err test_act)
+        list (LENGTH test_act len_act)
+        file (STRINGS ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF} test_ref)
+        list (LENGTH test_ref len_ref)
         math (EXPR _FP_LEN "${len_ref} - 1")
-        foreach (line RANGE 0 ${_FP_LEN})
-          list (GET test_act ${line} str_act)
-          list (GET test_ref ${line} str_ref)
-          if (NOT str_act STREQUAL str_ref)
-            if (str_act)
-              set (TEST_RESULT 1)
-              message (STATUS "line = ${line}\n***ACTUAL: ${str_act}\n****REFER: ${str_ref}\n")
+        if (len_act GREATER 0 AND len_ref GREATER 0)
+          math (EXPR _FP_LEN "${len_ref} - 1")
+          foreach (line RANGE 0 ${_FP_LEN})
+            list (GET test_act ${line} str_act)
+            list (GET test_ref ${line} str_ref)
+            if (NOT str_act STREQUAL str_ref)
+              if (str_act)
+                set (TEST_RESULT 1)
+                message (STATUS "line = ${line}\n***ACTUAL: ${str_act}\n****REFER: ${str_ref}\n")
+              endif ()
             endif ()
+          endforeach ()
+        else ()
+          if (len_act EQUAL 0)
+            message (STATUS "COMPARE Failed: ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT}.err is empty")
+          endif ()
+          if (len_ref EQUAL 0)
+            message (STATUS "COMPARE Failed: ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF} is empty")
           endif ()
-        endforeach ()
-      else ()
-        if (len_act EQUAL 0)
-          message (STATUS "COMPARE Failed: ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT}.err is empty")
         endif ()
-        if (len_ref EQUAL 0)
-          message (STATUS "COMPARE Failed: ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_ERRREF} is empty")
+        if (NOT len_act EQUAL len_ref)
+          set (TEST_RESULT 1)
         endif ()
       endif ()
-      if (NOT len_act EQUAL len_ref)
-        set (TEST_RESULT 1)
-      endif ()
     endif ()
 
     message (STATUS "COMPARE Result: ${TEST_RESULT}")
@@ -329,20 +340,22 @@ endif ()
 if (TEST_GREP_COMPARE)
   # now grep the output with the reference
   file (READ ${TEST_FOLDER}/${TEST_OUTPUT} TEST_STREAM)
+  list(LENGTH TEST_STREAM test_len)
+  if (test_len GREATER 0)
+    # TEST_REFERENCE should always be matched
+    string (REGEX MATCH "${TEST_REFERENCE}" TEST_MATCH ${TEST_STREAM})
+    string (COMPARE EQUAL "${TEST_REFERENCE}" "${TEST_MATCH}" TEST_RESULT)
+    if (NOT TEST_RESULT)
+      message (FATAL_ERROR "Failed: The output of ${TEST_PROGRAM} did not contain ${TEST_REFERENCE}")
+    endif ()
 
-  # TEST_REFERENCE should always be matched
-  string (REGEX MATCH "${TEST_REFERENCE}" TEST_MATCH ${TEST_STREAM})
-  string (COMPARE EQUAL "${TEST_REFERENCE}" "${TEST_MATCH}" TEST_RESULT)
-  if (NOT TEST_RESULT)
-    message (FATAL_ERROR "Failed: The output of ${TEST_PROGRAM} did not contain ${TEST_REFERENCE}")
-  endif ()
-
-  string (REGEX MATCH "${TEST_FILTER}" TEST_MATCH ${TEST_STREAM})
-  if (TEST_EXPECT)
-    # TEST_EXPECT (1) interprets TEST_FILTER as; NOT to match
-    string (LENGTH "${TEST_MATCH}" TEST_RESULT)
-    if (TEST_RESULT)
-      message (FATAL_ERROR "Failed: The output of ${TEST_PROGRAM} did contain ${TEST_FILTER}")
+    string (REGEX MATCH "${TEST_FILTER}" TEST_MATCH ${TEST_STREAM})
+    if (TEST_EXPECT)
+      # TEST_EXPECT (1) interprets TEST_FILTER as; NOT to match
+      string (LENGTH "${TEST_MATCH}" TEST_RESULT)
+      if (TEST_RESULT)
+        message (FATAL_ERROR "Failed: The output of ${TEST_PROGRAM} did contain ${TEST_FILTER}")
+      endif ()
     endif ()
   endif ()
 endif ()