Quick Test Professional (QTP) is an automated functional Graphical User Interface (GUI) testing tool that allows the automation of user actions on a web or client based computer application.
It is primarily used for functional regression test automation. QTP uses a scripting language built on top of VBScript to specify the test procedure, and to manipulate the objects and controls of the application under test.
QTP (QuickTest Professional) lets you create tests and business components by recording operations as you perform them in your application.
Test - A compilation of steps organized into one or more actions, which we can use to verify that our application performs as expected. A test is composed of actions (3 kinds of actions are there in QTP Non-reusable action, Reusable action and External action).
1) First step is Planning Before starting to build a test, you should plan it and prepare the required infrastructure. For example, determine the functionality you want to test, short tests that check specific functions of the application or complete site.Decide how you want to organize your object repositories.
2)Second step in QTP is Creating Tests or Components
We can create a test or component by
a) Either recording a session on your application or Web site
As we navigate through the application or site, QuickTest graphically displays each step we perform as a row in the Keyword View. The Documentation column of the Keyword View also displays a description of each step in easy-to-understand sentences. A step is something that causes or makes a change in your site or application, such as clicking a link or image, or submitting a data form.
OR b) Build an object repository and use these objects to add steps manually in the Keyword View or Expert View. We can then modify your test or component with special testing options and/or with programming statements.
3)Third step is Inserting checkpoints into your test or component. A checkpoint is a verification point that compares a recent value for a specified property with the expected value for that property. This enables you to identify whether the Web site or application is functioning correctly.
4)Fourth step is
Broaden the scope of your test or component by replacing fixed values with parameters.
To check how your application performs the same operations with different data you can parameterize your test or component.
When you parameterize your test or component, QuickTest substitutes the fixed values in your test or component with parameters
Each run session that uses a different set of parameterized data is called an iteration.
We can also use output values to extract data from our test or component. An output value is a value retrieved during the run session and entered into the Data Table or saved as a variable or a parameter. We can subsequently use this output value as input data in your test or component.
We can use many functional testing features of QuickTest to improve your test or component and/or add programming statements to achieve more complex testing goals.
5)Fifth step is running the test
After creating test or component, we run it.
Run test or component to check the site or application.
When we run the test or component, QuickTest connects to your Web site or application and performs each operation in a test or component, checking any text strings, objects, or tables you specified. If we parameterized the test with Data Table parameters, QuickTest repeats the test (or specific actions in your test) for each set of data values we defined.
Run the test or component to debug it.
We can control the run session to identify and eliminate defects in the test or component. We can use the
Step Into,
Step Over,
And Step Outcommands to run a test or component step by step. We can also set breakpoints to pause the test or component at pre-determined points. We can view the value of variables in the test or component each time it stops at a breakpoint in the Debug Viewer.
6)Sixth step is analyzing the results
After we run test or component, we can view the results.
? View the results in the Results window.
After running the test or component, we can view the results of the run in the Test Results window. We can view a summary of the results as well as a detailed report.
? Report defects identified during a run session.
If Quality Center is installed, we can report the defects fond out to a database. We can instruct QuickTest to automatically report each failed step in the test or component, or we can report them manually from the Test Results window.
Test object Model is a set of object types or Classes QuickTest uses to represents the objects in our application.
A test object class comprises of a list of properties that can individually (uniquely) identify objects of that class and a set of appropriate methods that QuickTest can record for it.
A test object is an object that QuickTest creates in the test to correspond to (represent) the actual object in the application. QuickTest uses the stored information about the object during the run session to identify and check the object.
A run-time object is the real (actual) object in the application or Web site which methods are performed during the run session.
Properties and methods of objects:
The property set for each test object is created and maintained by QuickTest. The property set for each run-time object is created and maintained by the object architect (creator) (Microsoft for Internet Explorer objects, Netscape for Netscape objects).
Similarly, methods of test objects are methods that QuickTest recognizes and records when they are executed (performed) on an object while we are recording, and that QuickTest executes when the test or component runs. Methods of Run-time object are the methods of the object in the application as defined by the object architect (creator). We can access and execute run-time object methods using the Object property.
If the available test object methods or properties for an object are not sufficient or they do not provide the functionality we need, we can access the internal methods and properties of any run-time object using the Object property. We can also use the attribute object property to identify Web objects in the application according to user-defined properties.
An object as we know is a graphic user element in an application e.g. a button or a list or an edit box and the special characteristics of an object within the QuickTest are called
object properties. QTP stores the recorded object properties in Object Repository.
Object Repositoriesare of two types Local and shared.
If objects are stored in a Local Object Repository then these are available to specific actions but not to all the actions. But if these objects are stored in one or more Shared Object Repositories then multiple actions or tests can use them.
By default QTP makes and uses Local Object Repository. If we create a new blank test and do a recording on it, QTP automatically creates a Local Object Repository for that test or action and stores the information about any object it finds in that corresponding Object Repository.
In QTP 9 we can associate multiple Shared Object Repositories with an action. If multiple Shared Object Repositories are associated with an action then also while recording QTP stores objects in corresponding Local Object Repository on the condition that those objects are not already stored in any corresponding associated Shared Object Repositories. This is the default that every time we create a new action QTP creates a new corresponding Local Object Repository. It is also true that Object Repositories are associated with actions and no matter how many times we learn or record on the same object in our application in different actions the object will be stored as separate test object in each of the Local Object Repository. Local Object Repository is automatically saved with the test when we save it. The extension of the Local Object Repository is .mtr, but it is not accessible as a separate file as in case of the Shared Object Repository.
We can also manipulate some aspects of Local Object Repository using Quick test Object Repository Automation Object Model. For example we can add, remove, rename test objects in Local Object Repository. (QuickTest Object Repository Automation documents the Object Repository automation object model that enables you to manipulate QuickTest object repositories and their contents from outside of QuickTest.)
When we open a test that was created using a version of QTP earlier that version 9 we are asked whether we want to convert it or view it in read only format. In any case if the test previously used per-action Object Repository, the objects in each per action repository are moved to the Local Object Repository of each action in the test.
If the test previously used a shared object repository, the same shared object repository is associated with each of the actions in the test, and the local object repository is empty.
While learning or recording we can specify Shared Object Repository for the selected action. We can specify and associate one or more Shared Object Repositories with each action. We can also create new Shared Object Repository and associate it with our action.
In case of Shared Object Repository, QTP uses existing information and does not add objects to the Object Repository if we record operations on an object that already exists either in Shared or Local Object Repository.
As said earlier QTP does not add objects directly to the associated Shared Object Repository as we record, instead it adds new objects in Local Object Repository (if that object does not already exist in associated Shared Object Repository).
We can surely export Local objects to Shared Object Repository.
There are different ways in which we can move objects from Local Object Repository to Shared Object Repository:
1) Exporting the objects to the Shared Object Repository from the Local Object Repository: In Object Repository window choose the action whose local objects you want to move. Choose File-> Export Local Objects.Select the location in which you want to save the file. Click on save.
2) We can update the Shared Object Repository with the Local Object Repository:
f we create a new test it will be created with Local Object Repository, we can associate any new or old Shared Object Repository with it, and so we can update that Shared Object Repository with Local Object Repository.
In Object Repository Manager open the Shared Object Repository (clear open in read only check box).
The test in this case should not be open. In Object Repository Manager go to Tools –> Update From Local Repository. Select the test who's Local Object Repository you want to use. Click update all. It will move all the objects to the Shared Object Repository.
3) We can also merge objects from two Object Repositories (called as primary and secondary in QTP 9) into a new single Object Repository (target Object Repository in QTP 9). The original source files are not changed. It also enables you to merge objects from Local Object Repository of one or more action(s) into a Shared Object Repository. It is recommended to use as a primary Object Repository the file in which you have invested alot of your effort, like which has more number of objects.
We can compare two Object Repositories using the Object Repository Comparison Tool. The tool enables you to identify similarities, variations or changes between two Object Repositories.
We can also copy objects to Local Object Repository from the Shared Object Repository. We can copy, paste and move objects in Local Object Repository and copy, paste and move objects within Shared Object Repository and between Shared Object Repositories.As said earlier we can also copy objects from shared Object Repository to Local Object Repository to modify them locally.
We cannot remove an association between the action and its Local Object Repository.
A checkpoint enables you to identify whether the Web site application under test is functioning correctly or not by comparing a current value for a particular property with the expected value for that property.
After we add a checkpoint, QuickTest adds a checkpoint to the current row in the Keyword View and adds a Check CheckPoint statement in the Expert View.
By default, the checkpoint name receives the name of the test object on which the checkpoint is being performed. We can change the name of the checkpoint if needed.
Standard checkpoints allow checking the object property values in the Web site or application under test. Standard checkpoints evaluate (compare) the expected values of object properties captured during recording to the object's current values during a run session. For example we can check that a radio button is activated after it is selected. Standard checkpoints are supported for all add-in environments.
Standard checkpoints can be used to perform checks on
Images,
Tables,
Web page properties, and
Other objects within your application or Web site.
Standard checkpoints can be created for all supported testing environments (as long as the appropriate add-in(s) are loaded).
Image checkpoints allow you to check the properties of an image in the application or Web page. For example, you can check that a selected image's source file is correct or not. An image checkpoint can also be created by inserting a standard checkpoint on an image object. Image checkpoints are supported for the Web add-in environment
With Bitmap Checkpoint we can check an area of a Web page or application as a bitmap. While creating a test, we have to specify the area to check by selecting an object. An entire object or any area within an object can be checked. Bitmap checkpoints are supported for all add-in environments
By adding table checkpoints to the test, we can check the content of tables displayed in the application. For example, we can check that a specified value is displayed in a certain cell. Certain environments also support checking the properties of the table object. For example, a check that a table has the expected number of rows and columns. A table checkpoint can also be created by inserting a standard checkpoint on a table object.
Accessibility Checkpoint recognizes areas of your Web site that may not conform to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. For example, check if the images on a Web page include ALT properties, required by the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
Accessibility checkpoints are supported for the Web add-in environment
QuickTest can check that a text string is displayed in the appropriate place in an application or on a Web page with Text Checkpoint. Text checkpoints are supported for the Web add-in environment, plus some Web-based add-in environments
Page Checkpoint checks the features of a Web page. For example, you can check how long a Web page takes to load or whether a Web page contains broken links. A page checkpoint can also be created by inserting a standard checkpoint on page object. Page checkpoints are supported for the Web add-in environment
The contents of a database accessed by your application can be checked by Database Checkpoint. Database checkpoints are supported for all add-in environments
By adding XML checkpoints to your test, you can check the contents of individual XML data files or documents that are part of your Web application. The XML Checkpoint option is supported for all add-in environments.
The default mode of recording is the Normal recording mode. There are other
recording modes also like
Analog Recording or Low Level Recording. Normal mode is the default and takes full advantage of the QuickTest test object model, as it recognizes the objects in the application regardless of their location on the screen. Analog Recording : Exact mouse and keyboard operations are recorded in relation to either the screen or the application window. In this QTP also records and tracks every movement of the mouse for example, recording a signature produced by dragging the mouse. Analog Recording steps are not editable from within QuickTest.
Low Level Recording : At any time, if an environment or on an object not recognized by QuickTest, use Low Level Recording. It records at object level and records all run-time objects as Window or WinObject test objects. QuickTest records all parent level objects as Window test objects and all other objects as WinObject test objects.
Each step recorded in Low Level Recording mode is shown in the Keyword and Expert View. All the three modes of recording can be used in a single test e.g. we can switch to either Analog Recording or Low Level Recording in the middle of a recording session for specific steps and then return to normal recording mode.
Analog Recording and Low Level Recording require more disk space than normal recording mode.
Use Analog Recording when :
The actual movement of the mouse is what you want to record.
Recording in Analog mode can be relative to the screen or relative to a specific window
In Analog Recording a separate file is saved and stored with the action.
In Analog Recording mode, QuickTest adds to your test a RunAnalog statement that calls the recorded analog file.
Use Low Level Recording when :
Environments or objects not supported by QuickTest.
Exact location of the operation on your application screen is necessary. in normal mode QuickTest performs the step on an object even if it has moved to a new location on the screen.
If the location of the object is important to your test, switch to Low Level Recording.
By replacing fixed values with parameters QuickTest enables you to enlarge the scope of a basic test. It is known as
parameterization, greatly increases the power and flexibility of a test. A parameter is a variable that is assigned a value from an external data source or generator. Values in steps and checkpoints and also the values of action parameters can be parameterize. Parameters let us check how the application performs the same operations with multiple sets of data.
There are four types of parameters:
Test/action parameters: Test parameters make possible for us to use values passed from the test. Action parameters enable us to pass values from other actions in your test. To use a value within a specific action, the value must be passed down through the action hierarchy of the test to the required action. We can then use that parameter value to parameterize a step in the test. For example, suppose that we want to parameterize a step in Action3 using a value that is passed into the test from the external application that runs (calls) the test. We can pass the value from the test level to Action1 (atop-level action) to Action3 (a nested action of Action1), and then parameterize the required step using this action input parameter value (that was passed through from the external application). Alternatively, we can pass an output action parameter value from an action step to a later sibling action at the same hierarchical level. For example, suppose that Action2, Action3, and Action4 are sibling actions at the same hierarchical level, and that these are all nested actions of Action1. We can parameterize a call to Action4 based on an output value retrieved from Action2 or Action3. We can then use these parameters in the action step.
Data Table parameters allow us to create a data-driven test (or action) that runs several times using the data that we supply. In each repetition, or iteration, QuickTest uses a different value from the Data Table.
Environment variable parameters allow us to use variable values from other sources during the run session. These may be values that we supply, or values that QuickTest generates for us based on conditions and options we choose.
Random number parameters enable us to insert random numbers as values in your test.
Values in steps and checkpoints can be parameterized while recording or editing the test.
The values of object properties can be parameterized for a selected step.
The values of the operation (method or function arguments) defined for the step can also be parameterized.
When the value of an object property for a local object is parameterized, we are amending the test object description in the local object repository. Therefore, all occurrences of the specified object within the action are parameterized.
Parameterizing the value of a checkpoint property enables us to check how an application or Web site the same operation based on different data.
In QTP (QuickTest Professional) we first of all record a test, then run a test and then analyze the results, but before running the test we can also enhance it with checkpoints and parameters.
First of all let's talk a little about keyword view in QTP and then we will talk about recording in QTP and then we will move on to other things. After recording all the operations, QuickTest displays them as steps in the Keyword View, and generates them in a script (in an Expert View).
In the keyword view there are 4 visible columns –
Item- The item on which we want to perform the step and it can be a test object, utility object, function call, or statement. This column shows a hierarchical icon-based tree. The highest level of the tree is actions, and all steps are contained within the relevant branch of the tree.
Operation- The operation (methods or functions) to be performed on the item selected in the Item column, for example, Click or Select.
Value- The argument values for the selected operation, for example, the mouse button to use when clicking the image.
Documentation- It is a Read-only auto-documentation of what the step does in an easy-to-understand sentence, for example, Click the "findFlights" image.
Assignment- The assignment of a value to or from a variable for example, Store cCols would store the return value of the current step in a variable called cCols so you can use the value later in the test. This column is not visible by default.
Comment- Any textual information you want to add regarding the step. This column is also not visible by default.
Actions break up the test into logical sections/units such as specific activities that we perform in our application.
When we create a new test, it contains a call to one action. By breaking up the tests into calls to multiple actions, we can design more modular and well organized and professional tests. An action has its own test script, containing all of the steps recorded in that action, and all objects in its local object repository. An action is stored with the test in which you created it.
If you create a test in which you log into the system (email), check inbox, and then log out of the system (email), your test might be structured as shown—one test calling three separate actions:
| Test 1 | Actions stored with Test 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Call to action 1 | ---> | Action 1(Logging In) |
| Call to action 2 | ---> | Action 2(Checking Inbox Mails) |
| Call to action 3 | ---> | Action 3(Logging Out) |
Actions make it possible to parameterize and iterate over specific elements of a test. They also make it easier to re-record steps in one action when part of your application changes. For every action called in the test, QuickTest creates a corresponding action sheet in the Data Table so that we can enter Data Table parameters that are specific to that action only.
Three types of actions are: Non-reusable action This non reusable action can be called only once and that too in the test with which it is stored.
Reusable action Reusable actions are like functions in any programming language. If there is a process that needs to be included in several tests, we can record, modify, and enhance the steps of the process and save them in a reusable action. Then we can call the action from other tests, rather than recording, modifying, and enhancing the same steps each time. It can be called several times by the test with which it is stored (the local test), as well as by other tests.
Deleting a reusable action that is called by other tests will cause those tests to fail.
External action is a reusable action stored with another test. External actions are read-only in the calling test, but we can choose to use a local, editable copy of the Data Table information for the external action. When a call to an external action is inserted, the action is inserted in read-only format
We can create an additional call to any reusable or external action in the test by pressing CTRL while we drag and drop the action to another location at a parallel(sibling) level within the test.
By default, new actions are non-reusable. Each action created in a test can be marked as reusable or non-reusable.
When we run a test with multiple actions, the test results are divided by actions within each test iteration so that we can see the outcome of each action, and can view the detailed results for each action individually.
If you expect other users to open your tests and all actions in your tests are stored in the same drive, you should use relative paths for your reusable actions so that other users will be able to open your tests even if they have mapped their network drives differently.
Scripting language for Quick Test Professional (QTP) is VBScript.
VBScript (short for Visual Basic Scripting Edition) is a lively Scripting language interpreted via Microsoft's Windows Script Host.
VBScript has many powerful functions and provides excellent support for variables, data types, and error handling.
Two script engines can interpret VBScript- VBScript.dll, which is invoked by asp.dll is used in web environment and Wscript.exe & Cscript.exe in Windows GUI environment using Windows script Host (WSH, We typically use VBScript within WSH to automate systems administration tasks. WSH is the system module that transforms a VBScript file into a Windows executable file). Wscript.exe is used to display output and receive input in Windows GUI format such as dialog and input boxes. Cscript.exe is used in a command-line environment. When VBScript source code is contained in stand-alone files, they have the File extension.vbs
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