SILK test cross training- By Archana M

AUTOMATION TESTING:

Definition: Automated testing is running test cases where manual intervention is not required to run each one.

Benefits of Automated Testing:

Reliable: Tests perform precisely the same operations each time they are run, thereby eliminating human error

Repeatable: You can test how the software reacts under repeated execution of the same operations.

Programmable: You can program sophisticated tests that bring out hidden information from the application.

Reusable: You can reuse tests on different versions of an application, even if the user interface changes.

Better Quality Software: Because you can run more tests in less time with fewer resources

Fast: Automated Tools run tests significantly faster than human users.

Cost Reduction: As the number of resources for regression test are reduced.

SILK TEST AUTOMATION TOOL

Introduction:

Silk Test is a tool specifically designed for doing REGRESSION AND FUNCTIONALITY testing. It is developed by Segue Software Inc. Silk Test is the industry’s leading functional testing product for e-business applications, whether Window based, Web, Java, or traditional client/server-based. Silk Test also offers test planning, management, direct database access and validation, the flexible and robust 4Test scripting language, a built in recovery system for unattended testing, and the ability to test across multiple platforms, browsers and technologies.

You have two ways to create automated tests using silk-test:

1) Use the Record test case command to record actions

The record test case command helps us to record various actions which we perform on AUT(Application under test) actions are captured in the 4TEST language (which is the inbuilt language in SILK test tool).

These recorded actions are then saved as *.t file.

The *.t file saved in the SILK test environment, can be played back by clicking on the RUN command or by pressing F9 functional key.

In this way we can record actions on AUT and then play them back for verifying the results of the actions recorded.

2) Write the testcase manually using the 4Test scripting language.

One can write testcases manually by using scripting language i.e. 4test language by using various methods and functions available.



How SilkTest works?

Applications are composed of graphical user interface (GUI) objects such as
windows, menus and buttons that a user manipulates using a keyboard and a
mouse to initiate application operations. SilkTest interprets these objects and recognizes them based on the class, properties and methods that uniquely identify them. During testing, SilkTest interacts with the objects to submit operations to the application automatically, simulating the actions of a user, and then verifies the results of each operation. The simulated user, SilkTest, is said to be driving the application.


SilkTest consists of two distinct components that execute in separate
processes:

1)The SilkTest Host software

2)The SilkTest Agent software


The SilkTest Host

The host software is the SilkTest component you use to develop, edit,
compile, run and debug your test scripts and testplans. The machine that runs this component is often referred to as the host machine.


The SilkTest Agent

The SilkTest Agent is the component of SilkTest that interacts with the GUI
of your application. The Agent translates the commands in your 4Test scripts
into GUI specific commands, driving and monitoring the application you are
testing. The Agent can run locally on the same machine on which the Host is
running or, in a networked environment, any number of Agents can run on
remote machines. In a networked environment, the machine that runs the
Agent is often referred to as the remote machine.