UFT Object Repository Guide

Mastering UFT's Object Repository: Interface Overview and Best Practices

The Object Repository serves as the backbone of any UI test automation framework in UFT (Unified Functional Testing), enabling testers to uniquely identify and interact with objects in the application under test. Understanding how to effectively manage and utilize the Object Repository is crucial for creating robust, maintainable automated tests that can withstand application changes while minimizing maintenance overhead.

Unified Functional Testing (UFT), formerly known as QuickTest Professional (QTP), is a widely used automated testing tool for functional and regression testing. At the core of UFT's functionality lies the Object Repository, which acts as a centralized storage location for objects within the application under test. When you record a test script, UFT automatically captures the objects' property/value pairs and stores them in the Object Repository. This repository then enables UFT to uniquely identify and interact with these objects during test execution.

The Object Repository essentially maps the application's user interface elements to UFT's test objects, creating a bridge between your test script and the application being tested. Without a properly configured Object Repository, UFT would struggle to locate and interact with the correct objects, leading to test failures and unreliable automation.

Key points about the Object Repository include:

• It stores property/value pairs that uniquely identify objects
• It allows for the separation of test logic from object details
• It serves as the foundation for object identification during test execution
• It can be implemented in different formats (local or shared) based on project requirements

Understanding the Object Repository is fundamental to successful test automation with UFT, as it directly impacts test maintenance, script resilience, and overall automation ROI.

Understanding the Object Repository Window

The Object Repository window in UFT provides a comprehensive interface for viewing and managing the objects that your tests interact with. This window is divided into several key areas, each serving a specific purpose in object management. At the top, you'll find a toolbar with various options for managing your repository, including add, delete, and organize functions. The main area displays a hierarchical tree structure of all objects in the repository, organized by object type and parent-child relationships.

In the lower right section of the window, you'll find the Object Details area, which allows you to examine and modify the properties and values used to identify each object during test execution. This section is crucial for understanding how UFT recognizes objects and for troubleshooting identification issues. The properties shown here typically include both mandatory properties (those necessary for unique identification) and assistive properties (those used to disambiguate between similar objects).

• The Object Repository window provides a visual representation of all objects in your test
• It allows you to modify object properties directly within the interface
• The hierarchical tree structure helps organize objects logically for easier navigation

Understanding how to navigate and utilize the Object Repository window effectively is the first step toward creating efficient, maintainable automated tests in UFT.

Types of Object Repositories in UFT

UFT offers two primary types of Object Repositories: Local and Shared, each with distinct advantages and use cases. A Local Object Repository is stored with each test and contains only the objects used by that specific test. This approach provides complete control over object storage and eliminates dependencies on external files, making it ideal for small projects or tests with unique objects that aren't shared across multiple tests.

On the other hand, Shared Object Repositories are external files that can be accessed by multiple tests. These repositories are typically organized by application feature or module, allowing for greater reusability and consistency across test suites. Shared repositories are particularly beneficial in large-scale automation projects where multiple tests need to interact with the same set of objects, as they eliminate redundancy and ensure uniform object identification across tests.

The choice between Local and Shared repositories depends on various factors including project size, team structure, and maintenance requirements. Many organizations adopt a hybrid approach, using shared repositories for common objects while maintaining local repositories for test-specific elements. This strategy balances reusability with flexibility, creating a scalable automation framework that can evolve with changing project needs.

' Example of how to associate a Shared Object Repository with a test in UFT
Set objRepo = ObjectRepositoryUtil.AddRepository("C:\Repositories\Login_Objects.tsr")
objRepo.SetRepositoryPath "C:\Repositories\Login_Objects.tsr"
objRepo.SetObjectRepositoryType "Shared"

Creating and Managing Object Repositories

Creating effective Object Repositories requires a systematic approach that begins with proper planning and continues throughout the test development lifecycle. The process typically starts with defining record and run settings that determine how UFT captures and interprets objects during test creation. These settings influence which properties are recorded and how objects are identified, making them a critical consideration before beginning test development.

Once your settings are configured, you can use the Spy tool to examine objects in your application and understand their properties. The Spy tool allows you to interact with application objects while UFT captures their properties, giving you valuable insight into how objects are recognized. After identifying objects, you can selectively add them to your repository, choosing which properties to include based on their uniqueness and stability. It's important to be selective during this process, including only the properties necessary for unique identification to maintain repository efficiency.

• Define clear naming conventions for objects and repositories
• Regularly review and clean unused objects from repositories
• Document repository structure and maintenance procedures

Effective repository management also involves establishing version control procedures, especially for shared repositories, to prevent conflicts and ensure team coordination. By implementing these practices, you can create Object Repositories that are not only functional but also maintainable and scalable as your application evolves.

// Example of how to programmatically access and modify object properties in UFT
public void modifyObjectRepository() {
    // Get the current test object
    TestObject obj = Browser("MyBrowser").Page("LoginPage").WebEdit("username");
    
    // Get the object's properties
    Properties props = obj.GetTOProperties();
    
    // Modify a specific property
    for (int i = 0; i < props.Count(); i++) {
        if (props.Name(i).equals("micclass")) {
            props.Value(i) = "WebEdit";
        }
    }
    
    // Apply the modified properties
    obj.SetTOProperties(props);
}

Best Practices for Object Repository Maintenance

Maintaining Object Repositories effectively is crucial for ensuring the longevity and reliability of your automated tests. One key practice is implementing a regular review process to identify and address objects that may have become unstable or obsolete due to application changes. This process should include checking for duplicate objects, verifying property values, and updating identification mechanisms as needed.

Another important consideration is establishing a consistent approach to object identification. This involves selecting the most stable and unique properties for each object, avoiding properties that are likely to change with application updates. For web applications, this might mean prioritizing attributes like IDs or names over dynamic properties like position or size. When multiple objects have similar properties, it's important to include sufficient distinguishing properties to ensure accurate identification.

• Prioritize stable, unique properties for object identification
• Use regular expressions for dynamic values when appropriate
• Implement a version control system for shared repositories

Additionally, consider the organizational structure of your repositories, particularly when working with shared repositories. A well-organized repository structure, often organized by application module or feature, can significantly improve maintainability and reduce the time required to locate and update objects. By following these best practices, you can ensure your Object Repositories remain efficient and reliable as your application evolves.

Object Repository and Test Script Resilience

The Object Repository plays a critical role in determining the resilience of your automated tests against application changes. A well-designed repository can significantly reduce the impact of UI modifications, allowing tests to continue functioning even when application objects change. This resilience is achieved through careful selection of object properties that are both unique and stable, minimizing the likelihood that changes to the application will break test scripts.

One strategy for enhancing script resilience is the use of descriptive programming techniques that complement the Object Repository. Descriptive programming allows you to specify object properties directly in your test code, providing an additional layer of flexibility when dealing with dynamic or frequently changing objects. This approach is particularly useful for objects that have unstable properties or when you need to interact with objects that aren't stored in the repository.

• Combine Object Repository with descriptive programming for maximum flexibility
• Use regular expressions to handle dynamic values in object properties
• Implement parameterization for frequently changing properties

Another important consideration is the balance between repository size and test reliability. While it might be tempting to include every possible property in your repository to ensure unique identification, this approach can actually reduce resilience by making tests more vulnerable to changes. Instead, focus on including only the minimal set of properties necessary for unique identification, which makes tests more adaptable to application modifications while maintaining reliability.

Conclusion

The Object Repository stands as a cornerstone of effective test automation in UFT, providing the foundation for identifying and interacting with application objects during test execution. By understanding its structure, functionality, and best practices, testers can create automated tests that are not only effective but also maintainable and resilient to application changes. Whether you're working with Local or Shared repositories, the principles of careful object selection, consistent organization, and regular maintenance remain essential for long-term success in test automation.

As applications continue to evolve, the Object Repository will remain a critical component of the testing toolkit, enabling teams to keep pace with changes while maintaining the reliability of their automated tests. By investing time in proper repository design and maintenance, organizations can significantly improve their automation ROI, reducing maintenance overhead while ensuring comprehensive test coverage of their applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the purpose of the Object Repository in UFT?
  The Object Repository serves as a centralized storage location for objects within the application under test, enabling UFT to uniquely identify and interact with these objects during test execution.
• What are the different types of Object Repositories in UFT?
  UFT offers Local Object Repositories, which are stored with each test and contain only objects used by that specific test, and Shared Object Repositories, which are external files accessible by multiple tests for greater reusability and consistency.
• How can I improve test resilience using the Object Repository?
  Improve test resilience by selecting stable and unique properties for object identification, combining with descriptive programming techniques, and focusing on the minimal set of properties necessary for unique identification.
• What are the best practices for maintaining Object Repositories?
  Implement regular review processes to identify unstable objects, establish consistent approaches to object identification, organize repositories by application module or feature, and use version control for shared repositories.
• How do I create an effective Object Repository in UFT?
  Start by defining record and run settings, use the Spy tool to examine objects, selectively add necessary properties based on uniqueness and stability, and establish clear naming conventions and version control procedures.