Test robot

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In software quality assurance , test robots are also referred to as capture & replay or capture & playback tools, which contribute to test automation . The tool records all operating steps carried out manually by the tester, such as keyboard entries or mouse clicks , during a test session. The tool saves these operating steps in a test script . The recorded test case can then be played back automatically by the tester.

Test automation architecture

With larger projects a lot of test scripts are created in this way. For the creation and maintenance of a large number of test scripts, the test scripts must therefore be structured appropriately. In addition, a good structure supports the division of labor between test automakers and specialist testers.

In the data-driven test automation architecture (data-driven test), the focus is on the separation of test data and test scripts. The test data sets are stored in a spreadsheet or in a database . The test target results are also stored in the database. The test script reads in the individual lines and carries out the test procedure with these data records. If additional test cases are required, they are added by the specialist tester in the database or in the spreadsheet.

If there is a requirement to encapsulate individual parts of the test scripts in a procedure in order to enable reuse in other test scripts, the test robot must support command-driven or keyword-driven testing (key-word / action-word-driven test). Here, too, the encapsulated procedures are usually separated from the test script and stored in a database. The specialist tester compiles the test script from the individual procedures and therefore does not need any programming knowledge.

The latest generation of interaction-driven test robots combine the data-driven and component-driven approaches. They offer database-supported, object-oriented test module management with which test modules can be dragged and dropped from the database repository and combined into a new test sequence . The associated test data are automatically included in the test sequence. If a change has to be made in test cases that include the same module, this is done centrally at one point within the module. This minimizes the maintenance effort and large repositories can be used efficiently and clearly.

Current test robots

A number of test robots are available on the market. However, their scope in terms of their functionality varies greatly. Some tools are pure test robots. For others, the robot function is only part of their overall functionality.

  • Selenium : Selenium is an open source test framework for carrying out function-oriented tests of web applications.
  • HP Unified Functional Testing (UFT) : Unified Functional Testing (UFT), previously known as HP QuickTest Professional, is the current test robot from HP. It replaces the test robot that was previously sold under WinRunner.
  • Tosca : Tosca is the current test robot from Tricentis GmbH.
  • TestComplete : TestComplete is the current test robot from SmartBear Software.
  • CitraTest : CitraTest is a solution from Tevron. CitraTest is a test robot that can be used for function and load tests as well as for end-to-end monitoring (also under terminal services such as Citrix).
  • JStudio SiteWalker : JStudio SiteWalker is a test tool for web-based applications to carry out automated function-oriented tests.
  • IBM Rational Robot : Rational Robot from IBM is a test robot for performing functional, fallback and configuration tests for .NET, Java, Web and other GUI-based applications.
  • Ranorex : Ranorex is a GUI test automation framework for generating automated tests for desktop, web and mobile applications. It is developed and distributed by the company of the same name.
  • TestPartner : TestPartner was originally developed by Compuware and is currently distributed by Micro Focus. TestPartner offers two different modes for creating test cases. With Visual Test a storyboard-based approach is used and with Test Script the test cases are generated with the help of VBA code.
  • Borland SilkTest : With SilkTest, Borland offers a comprehensive solution for testing the software functionalities of applications that are controlled via a graphical user interface.
  • QF-Test : With the QF-Test tool from Quality First Software, a. Carry out function, regression and load tests via capture / replay to automate Java and Web GUI.
  • Watij : Watij ( Web Application Testing in Java ) is an open source framework in Java. It has neither a graphical user interface nor is Capture & Replay supported. The tests have to be coded manually and then compiled.
  • Yawet : Yawet is a test robot from InforMatrix GmbH. The tool is kept very simple and therefore only supports basic functionalities.
  • Badboy : Badboy is a slim capture & replay test software developed by Badboy Software. Since it has its own browser for executing the test cases, no browser compatibility can be guaranteed.
  • eValid : eValid from Software Research, Inc. only supports tests using Microsoft Internet Explorer , as it is integrated into the installed Internet Explorer. Therefore all functions offered by Internet Explorer can be used.
  • QA Wizard Pro : Seapine Software's portfolio includes the QA Wizzard Pro for functional and regression tests. Since it offers further products in the test lifecycle, data from other products can be reused in the test cases.
  • Test4Q : Test4Q is a host-oriented capture / replay tool that can specifically process CICS transactions. A wealth of other functionalities - also for the batch process - are also available. Under certain conditions, (partial) automation for the creation of test scripts (without prior recording) is possible.
  • expecco : expecco from exept Software AG is a test automation solution for automating tests for desktop, web, mobile and non-GUI applications. It is developed and distributed by the company of the same name. Captures can be recorded unchanged from web sessions and mobile devices but typically after refacortation / parameterization as part of test sequences.

literature

  • Andreas Spillner, Tilo Linz: Basic knowledge of software testing, training and further education to become a Certified Tester . 1st edition. dpunkt.Verlag, Heidelberg 2003, ISBN 3-89864-178-3 .

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Unified Functional Testing (UFT) . Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Retrieved June 6, 2017.