UFT First Test: Configuration Management Guide

Mastering UFT: Creating Your First Test with Effective Test Configuration Management

Unified Functional Testing (UFT) is a powerful testing solution that enables teams to create and maintain automated tests for various applications. Creating your first test with UFT marks the beginning of your journey into automated testing excellence, but understanding UFT's test configuration management capabilities is what separates successful testing initiatives from those that struggle with maintenance and scalability.

Understanding UFT and Its Testing Environment

Unified Functional Testing, formerly known as HP QuickTest Professional (QTP), is an automated functional testing solution that supports testing across various environments, web, desktop, and mobile applications. UFT's testing environment provides a comprehensive set of tools and features that enable testers to create, manage, and execute automated tests efficiently. The interface is designed with multiple components that work together to facilitate the testing process.

UFT's core features include object-oriented testing, keyword-driven testing, and business process testing. These features allow teams to create tests that are both powerful and easy to maintain. The object repository in UFT stores information about the objects in your application, making it easier to interact with these objects during test execution. Additionally, UFT's integration with ALM Quality Center enables seamless test lifecycle management, from planning to execution.

Key benefits of using UFT include:

• Increased test coverage and accuracy
• Reduced testing time and costs
• Enhanced maintainability of test scripts
• Support for both GUI and API testing
• Comprehensive reporting and analysis capabilities

The UFT IDE includes several key areas:

• The Menu Bar provides access to all UFT commands and settings
• The Toolbars offer quick access to frequently used functions
• The Test Settings dialog allows configuration of test parameters
• The Keyword View displays test steps in a hierarchical, readable format
• The Expert View shows the test script in a programming-like format
• The Data Table manages test data for parameterization

Understanding these components and how they interact is fundamental to creating effective tests. When you first launch UFT, you'll be greeted with a blank testing environment ready for you to begin creating your first test. The environment is designed to be intuitive for both technical and non-technical users, making automated testing accessible to a broader range of team members.

Setting Up Your First Test in UFT

Creating your first test in UFT is a straightforward process that begins with launching the UFT application and selecting the appropriate test type. When you start UFT, you're presented with options to create a new test or open an existing one. For beginners, starting with a GUI test is recommended as it provides a visual approach to testing graphical user interfaces.

Once you've created a new test, you'll need to set the testing environment by configuring the add-ins that correspond to the technologies used in your application. Add-ins extend UFT's functionality to support specific applications or environments. Selecting the appropriate add-ins ensures that UFT can recognize and interact with the objects in your application effectively.

To begin, launch UFT and select "New" from the File menu or click the "New" button on the toolbar. This will open a dialog where you can specify the type of test you want to create - GUI test, Business Process Test, or API test.

When setting up your first GUI test, you'll need to:

1. Select the application technology you're testing (e.g., Web, Windows, Java)

2. Choose a location to save your test

3. Optionally create a test template to establish standards for your test suite

After creating your test, UFT automatically generates a basic test structure with a default action. This structure serves as the foundation for your test automation efforts. The test configuration management begins at this stage, as UFT creates a static test configuration using the name of your test.

It's important to note that proper naming conventions and folder organization at this stage will significantly impact your ability to manage tests as your test suite grows. Consider establishing a consistent naming scheme that reflects the application under test, test type, and version number to facilitate easier maintenance and identification.

Here's a basic code example for creating a simple UFT test:

' Create a new UFT test
Set qtApp = CreateObject("QuickTest.Application")
qtApp.Launch
qtApp.Visible = True

' Set the testing options
qtApp.Test.Settings.Run.OnError = "NextStep"

' Create a new test
Set qtTest = qtApp.Test
qtTest.New

' Set the test name
qtTest.Name = "MyFirstTest"

' Add an action to the test
Set qtAction = qtTest.Actions.Add("Action1", 1)

' Record the test
qtApp.Test.Record

' Perform test actions
' (These would be recorded automatically when you interact with the application)

' Stop recording
qtApp.Test.Stop

' Save the test
qtTest.Save

This script demonstrates the basic structure for creating and recording a UFT test programmatically. After recording, you can enhance your test with additional features to make it more robust and maintainable.

Recording Your First Test in UFT

Recording is one of the most powerful features of UFT, allowing you to create test scripts by simply interacting with your application. To record your first test, click the "Record" button in the UFT toolbar or select Record from the Automation menu. UFT will then minimize and open a recording toolbar, indicating that recording has begun.

During recording, UFT captures your interactions with the application under test and converts them into test steps. These steps are displayed in both the Keyword View (in a readable format) and the Expert View (as script code). Recording modes can be adjusted based on your testing needs:

• Normal Recording: Captures all operations performed on the application
• Low-Level Recording: Captures every mouse movement and keystroke
• Analog Recording: Records keyboard and mouse movements at a specified speed
• Context Recording: Only captures operations relevant to the selected context

After completing your recording session, click "Stop Recording" to return to the UFT IDE. Your recorded test will be displayed in the Keyword View, where you can review, modify, and enhance the test steps as needed. This initial recording forms the basis of your test, which can then be refined with checkpoints, parameters, and other advanced features.

Here's an example of what recorded code might look like in UFT's Expert View:

' Example of recorded code in UFT's Expert View
Browser("MyFlight Application").Page("Login").WebEdit("username").Set "testuser"
Browser("MyFlight Application").Page("Login").WebEdit("password").Set "testpass"
Browser("MyFlight Application").Page("Login").WebButton("Login").Click

Configuring Test Settings for Optimal Performance

Proper test configuration management is essential for ensuring your tests run efficiently and reliably. UFT provides extensive test settings that allow you to customize how tests are executed and managed. To access test settings, go to Test > Settings or press F8.

Key test settings to configure include:

• Run Settings: Specify how tests should run (fast, slow, or step-by-step)
• Object Repository Settings: Configure how objects are identified and stored
• Synchronization Settings: Set timeouts for test execution
• Recovery Scenario Settings: Define actions to take when errors occur
• Data Table Settings: Configure how test data is managed

The test configuration management system in UFT allows you to create multiple configurations for different testing scenarios. For example, you might have one configuration for development testing with detailed logging and another for regression testing with optimized performance. These configurations can be saved and reused across tests, ensuring consistency in your testing approach.

When configuring test settings, consider the environment in which tests will run. Development, testing, and production environments may require different settings for optimal test performance. By properly configuring these settings, you can minimize test execution time while maintaining reliability and accuracy.

Here's an example of how you might configure test settings in UFT:

' Example of configuring test settings in UFT
SystemUtil.Run "iexplore.exe", "http://myapp.com"
Browser("MyFlight Application").Sync
Browser("MyFlight Application").Page("Login").WebEdit("username").Set "testuser"

The Basics of UFT Test Configuration Management

Test configuration management is a critical aspect of UFT that ensures your tests run consistently across different environments and configurations. A test configuration in UFT defines the settings and parameters that determine how a test will be executed, including the environment, data sources, and execution options. Properly managing these configurations is essential for maintaining the reliability and validity of your automated tests.

UFT automatically creates a static test configuration for each business process test by default, using the name of the test as the configuration name. However, you can create multiple configurations to test your application under different scenarios, such as different browsers, operating systems, or input data sets. Each configuration can have its own set of parameters, making it easy to test various combinations without modifying the test itself.

Understanding the difference between static and dynamic configurations is crucial. Static configurations use fixed values for parameters, while dynamic configurations can pull values from external sources like databases or Excel files. This flexibility allows you to create more comprehensive and data-driven tests that can adapt to changing requirements.

Effective test configuration management involves:

• Organizing configurations logically by environment or purpose
• Using descriptive names for easy identification
• Documenting the purpose and usage of each configuration
• Regularly reviewing and updating configurations as needed

By mastering these basics, you'll be well on your way to creating robust and maintainable test configurations in UFT.

Creating and Managing Test Configurations

Creating test configurations in UFT is a straightforward process that begins with accessing the Test Configuration Options dialog box. To create a new configuration, navigate to the Test > Test Configuration Options menu, where you can define various parameters such as the environment, add-ins, and data sources. Each configuration can be customized to meet specific testing requirements, allowing you to simulate different testing scenarios.

When creating a configuration, you'll need to specify the run mode, which determines how the test will execute. The run mode can be set to Fast, Debug, or Component, each serving different purposes. Fast mode executes the test without stopping for errors, Debug mode pauses at each step for inspection, and Component mode runs the test as part of a larger business process test. Selecting the appropriate run mode ensures your tests execute efficiently and provide the desired level of detail.

Managing your configurations effectively involves organizing them in a logical structure and using naming conventions that clearly indicate their purpose. You can create configurations for different environments such as Development, Testing, and Production, each with its own set of parameters. This approach allows you to run the same test across multiple environments without modifying the test script itself.

One powerful feature is the ability to associate multiple test configurations with a single test. This is particularly useful when testing across different environments or configurations. For example, you might create configurations for:

• Testing on different browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)
• Testing with different data sets
• Testing in different environments (development, staging, production)

To manage test configurations, you can:

1. Create and save configurations with descriptive names

2. Apply configurations to specific tests or test sets

3. Share configurations across team members using UFT's collaboration features

4. Archive older configurations while maintaining access to historical data

UFT's test configuration management also includes version control capabilities, allowing you to track changes to configurations over time. This is particularly valuable when working in team environments where multiple testers may need to access and modify configurations.

As your test suite grows, implementing a structured approach to test configuration management becomes increasingly important. Consider establishing naming conventions, documentation standards, and review processes to ensure consistency and quality across your testing efforts.

Best Practices for UFT Test Configuration Management

Implementing best practices for test configuration management can significantly improve the efficiency and reliability of your automated testing efforts. Here are some key practices to consider:

1. Establish a consistent naming convention: Use descriptive names that clearly indicate the purpose and scope of each configuration.

2. Document configurations thoroughly: Maintain documentation that explains when and how to use each configuration.

3. Regularly review and update configurations: As applications evolve, configurations may need adjustment to maintain effectiveness.

4. Implement a configuration management process: Define workflows for creating, approving, and deploying configurations.

5. Leverage parameterization: Use the Data Table to manage test data rather than hardcoding values in configurations.

When working with UFT's test configuration management, it's also important to consider security implications. Ensure that sensitive information, such as login credentials or database connections, is properly secured within configurations. UFT provides encryption options for protecting sensitive data.

Another best practice is to separate test configuration from test logic whenever possible. This makes tests more portable and easier to maintain across different environments. Here's an example of how you might implement parameterization in your UFT tests:

' Example of parameterized test in UFT
DataTable.Value("username", dtGlobalSheet) = "testuser"
DataTable.Value("password", dtGlobalSheet) = "testpass"
Browser("MyFlight Application").Page("Login").WebEdit("username").Set DataTable.Value("username", dtGlobalSheet)
Browser("MyFlight Application").Page("Login").WebEdit("password").Set DataTable.Value("password", dtGlobalSheet)

By following these practices, you can maximize the benefits of UFT's test configuration management capabilities and build a robust, scalable automated testing framework.

Conclusion

Creating your first test with UFT is just the beginning of your automated testing journey. Understanding and implementing effective test configuration management practices is essential for building a maintainable and scalable test suite. By properly configuring your tests, you can ensure they run efficiently, provide accurate results, and adapt to changing application requirements.

As you continue to develop your UFT skills, remember that test configuration management is an ongoing process that requires regular attention and refinement. By following the best practices outlined in this guide, you'll be well on your way to mastering UFT and creating high-quality automated tests that deliver value to your organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is UFT test configuration management?
  UFT test configuration management involves defining settings and parameters that determine how tests will execute, including environment settings, data sources, and execution options.
• How do I create my first test in UFT?
  To create your first test in UFT, launch the application, select 'New' from the File menu, choose the test type, configure add-ins for your application technology, and save your test.
• What are the key components of the UFT testing environment?
  The UFT testing environment includes the Menu Bar, Toolbars, Test Settings dialog, Keyword View, Expert View, and Data Table, each serving specific functions in test creation and execution.
• How can I improve test maintainability with UFT configurations?
  Improve test maintainability by establishing consistent naming conventions, documenting configurations thoroughly, separating test configuration from test logic, and implementing parameterization for test data.
• What are the different recording modes available in UFT?
  UFT offers several recording modes including Normal Recording (captures all operations), Low-Level Recording (captures every mouse movement and keystroke), Analog Recording (records at specified speed), and Context Recording (captures only relevant operations).