SilkTest
Encyclopedia
SilkTest is an automation tool for testing the functionality of enterprise applications in most versions of Windows, Solaris 9 and 10, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS 2.1 and 3.0. It was produced by Segue Software which was acquired by Borland
in 2006. Borland was acquired by Micro Focus International
in 2009. SilkTest became the strategic product to eventually replace TestPartner
, which was acquired by Micro Focus International
from Compuware
.
SilkTest offers various clients:
- SilkTest Classic uses the domain specific 4Test language for automation scripting. It is an object oriented language similar to C++. It uses the concepts of classes, objects, and inheritance.
- Silk4J allows to do automation in Eclipse using Java as scripting language
- Silk4Net allows the same in Visual Studio using VB or C#
- SilkTest Workbench allows automation testing on a visual level (similar to former TestPartner)
SilkTest identifies all windows and controls of the application under test as objects and defines all of the properties and attributes of each window. Thus it supports object oriented implementation (Partially).
SilkTest can be run to identify mouse movement along with keystrokes (Useful for custom object). It can use both record and playback or descriptive programming methods to capture the dialogs.
Extensions supported by SilkTest: .NET, Java (Swing, SWT), DOM, IE, Firefox, SAP Windows GUI.
SilkTest uses Silk Bitmap Tool (bitview.exe) to capture and compare the windows and areas.
Where Mytest.t is the main script file and firsttest and secondtest are testcase names in Mytest.t file. When this plan file is run it will automatically pick up first and second testcase in order and run those.
Test script (.t): used to write actual test scripts. Example: Mytest.t (Automating notepad application)
When this script runs it will execute firsttest and secondtest in order and then exit the notepad application.
Frame file (.inc): The abstraction layer used to define the windows and controls in application under test that will be further referenced in .t files. Example : Mytest.inc
Here 'Window' is main class with 'Menu', 'Menuitem' as a subclass. File, Replace are objects.
Result file (.res): contains test run results with the names of passed or failed tests along with a description of the failures. Can also contain log messages.
Other than the results file, all files are text-based and can be edited in a text editor or the SilkTest IDE. As of SilkTest 2006 the files can be saved in either ANSI or UTF-8 formats. All of the source files are compiled into pseudocode object files either when loaded or at run time if the source files are changed.
Borland
Borland Software Corporation is a software company first headquartered in Scotts Valley, California, Cupertino, California and finally Austin, Texas. It is now a Micro Focus subsidiary. It was founded in 1983 by Niels Jensen, Ole Henriksen, Mogens Glad and Philippe Kahn.-The 1980s:...
in 2006. Borland was acquired by Micro Focus International
Micro Focus International
Micro Focus International plc is a multinational software and information technology business based in Newbury, Berkshire, United Kingdom. The firm provides software and consultancy services for clients updating legacy systems to more modern platforms...
in 2009. SilkTest became the strategic product to eventually replace TestPartner
TestPartner
TestPartner is a GUI software testing tool from Micro Focus that is intended to enable software development project teams to functionally automate and test application Graphical User Interfaces, with the goal of being able to accomplish more application testing in a given amount of time than could...
, which was acquired by Micro Focus International
Micro Focus International
Micro Focus International plc is a multinational software and information technology business based in Newbury, Berkshire, United Kingdom. The firm provides software and consultancy services for clients updating legacy systems to more modern platforms...
from Compuware
Compuware
Compuware Corporation is a software company with products aimed at the information technology departments of large businesses. The company's services also include testing, development, professional services automation, project and portfolio management, cloud-based collaboration and performance...
.
SilkTest offers various clients:
- SilkTest Classic uses the domain specific 4Test language for automation scripting. It is an object oriented language similar to C++. It uses the concepts of classes, objects, and inheritance.
- Silk4J allows to do automation in Eclipse using Java as scripting language
- Silk4Net allows the same in Visual Studio using VB or C#
- SilkTest Workbench allows automation testing on a visual level (similar to former TestPartner)
Main features of SilkTest
- SilkTest Host: contains all the source script files.
- SilkTest Agent: translates the script commands into GUI commands (User actions). These commands can be executed on the same machine as the host or on a remote machine.
SilkTest identifies all windows and controls of the application under test as objects and defines all of the properties and attributes of each window. Thus it supports object oriented implementation (Partially).
SilkTest can be run to identify mouse movement along with keystrokes (Useful for custom object). It can use both record and playback or descriptive programming methods to capture the dialogs.
Extensions supported by SilkTest: .NET, Java (Swing, SWT), DOM, IE, Firefox, SAP Windows GUI.
SilkTest uses Silk Bitmap Tool (bitview.exe) to capture and compare the windows and areas.
File Types used in SilkTest
Test Plan (.pln): used to create a suite of tests when combined with test scripts. Example : test.pln- -Myfirsttest
- script : Mytest.t
- testcase:firsttest
- -Mysecondtest
- script : Mytest.t
- testcase:secondtest
Where Mytest.t is the main script file and firsttest and secondtest are testcase names in Mytest.t file. When this plan file is run it will automatically pick up first and second testcase in order and run those.
Test script (.t): used to write actual test scripts. Example: Mytest.t (Automating notepad application)
- use "Mytest.inc"
- -testcase firsttest
- notepad.invoke//invoke works for some applications
- notepad.file.new.pick
- notepad.file.exit.pick
- -testcase secondtest
- notepad.invoke
- notepad.help.helptopics.pick
- notepad.exit
When this script runs it will execute firsttest and secondtest in order and then exit the notepad application.
Frame file (.inc): The abstraction layer used to define the windows and controls in application under test that will be further referenced in .t files. Example : Mytest.inc
- -Window mainwin notepad
- -Menu File
- Menuitem New
- -Menu Edit
- Menuitem Replace
- -Menu File
Here 'Window' is main class with 'Menu', 'Menuitem' as a subclass. File, Replace are objects.
Result file (.res): contains test run results with the names of passed or failed tests along with a description of the failures. Can also contain log messages.
Other than the results file, all files are text-based and can be edited in a text editor or the SilkTest IDE. As of SilkTest 2006 the files can be saved in either ANSI or UTF-8 formats. All of the source files are compiled into pseudocode object files either when loaded or at run time if the source files are changed.