bridge the gap between manual and automated testing
effective software development.
Enables you to choose your
scripting language Java or Microsoft Visual Basic .NET for test script customization, editing and debugging Helps validate dynamic data with multiple verification points and support for regular expression pattern matching Helps eliminate rework; minimize the rerecording of scripts; and reduce script maintenance (by ensuring playback even when underlying applications change) through the IBM ScriptAssure technology Helps improve productivity by supporting version control to enable parallel development of test scripts and concurrent usage by geographically distributed teams
Testing an application with IBM Rational Functional Tester software
Though functional testing can be
Lower the cost of functional testing
Bridge to automation
performed using a purely manual
The benefits of automated testing are
Often inefficient and inconsistent, test-
approach, automation brings great
quickly lost when teams expend great
ing can result in much time wasted
benefits to the software develop-
manual effort keeping test scripts up
creating, organizing and managing
ment organization, such as:
to date throughout the project. Rational
the most mundane tasks. Keyword
Functional Tester software uses the
testing, a framework for organizing and
Enabling regression testing
IBM ScriptAssure advanced technol-
managing test steps, allows testers to
testing for feature regression from
ogy to learn user interface (UI) control
rapidly create and reuse test scripts
one build to the next without
characteristics, thereby enabling the
as needed. Using Rational Functional
tying up tester resources.
software to identify the same controls
Tester software, testers can develop
Freeing quality assurance (QA)
in newer builds despite underlying
automation scripts that are associ-
departments from maintaining
changes. These characteristics are
ated with keywords, and enable easy
and executing basic tests, encour-
stored in an object map that can be
reuse and improved efficiencies. When
aging the creation of additional,
shared across scripts and projects.
testers use these automated scripts
thorough tests.
With this map, changes to object rec-
in concert with IBM Rational Manual
ognition characteristics affect all test
Tester software, they can enable the
such as test lab machine prepara-
scripts, simplifying maintenance. And
incremental adoption of automated
tion and database configuration.
new, advanced object map search
tests by using keyword testing as a
Automating nontesting activities
Reducing human error that can occur
and filter capabilities in Rational
building block to automation. And then
during activities such as test step
Functional Tester can help make
organizations can build a collabora-
execution and test result recording.
maintenance even easier.
tive test environment between manual
and automated testing tools that can
Any organization that relies on its own
Used to compare actual data with
application development to serve its
eliminate the friction and gap between
expected data, verification points
own needs or its customers needs
manual and automated testing and
inserted within test code can support
recognizes that application quality is a
leverage the strength of the entire test-
the usage of regular expressions to
prerequisite for success, not a luxury.
ing team.
validate dynamic content such as
However, ensuring that these applica-
an ever-changing and ever-increasing
tions work in a manner that meets or
Unlimited customization potential
order number, or time and date
Teams quickly learn that test script
exceeds project expectations requires
stamps. This capability further helps
modification and enhancement are
a level of project discipline and effi-
reduce the need for test maintenance
inevitable. Everything from simple
ciency that can be hard to achieve.
activities to accommodate changes
looping constructs to advanced file
Typically the domain of QA depart-
in the application(s) under test.
manipulation or operating system
ments, functional testing allows users
interaction may be necessary to get
to verify the successful implementation
the most out of an automated test-
of requirements in categories such as
ing tool. Rational Functional Tester
functionality, usability and appearance.
software offers an unprecedented
choice to its users in recognition of this need the choice of mainstream, industrial-strength languages hosted within equivalently robust test editors and debuggers.
Rational Functional Tester software can
Rational Functional Tester software sup-
Integrates with the IBM Rational
produce test scripts using either 100
ports the use of parallel development,
Software Delivery Platform
percent Java code hosted within the
enabling the version control of test
IBM Rational Manual Tester software
Eclipse Java Developer Toolkit editor,
scripts. Colocated teams can use the
is an integral component of the IBM
or using 100 percent Microsoft Visual
IBM Rational ClearCase LT product
Rational Software Delivery Platform.
Basic .NET code hosted within the
that ships with the Rational Functional
One of the industrys most compre-
Microsoft Visual Studio .NET editor.
Tester software, and upgrade to the
hensive and powerful solutions for
Anyone familiar with these program-
full IBM Rational ClearCase solution,
software system creation and applica-
ming languages can quickly modify
to enable work with geographically
tion lifecycle management, the IBM
existing code, as well as create custom
dispersed teams.
Rational Software Delivery Platform
libraries that can be called by other
provides automation support for the
test scripts. Coding is greatly simpli-
Built on open standards
aspects of software development. Fur-
fied thanks to the Eclipse and Visual
The Java scripting capabilities of
ther, it can help unite team members
Studio .NET editors, both of which
Rational Functional Tester software
by enabling them to share information
provide advanced editing features
are built on top of the Eclipse archi-
effectively across various tools.
such as automated code completion
tectural framework and its test, trace
and advanced debugging options.
and monitoring extension, called the
Integration into the Rational Software
Customization possibilities are limit-
Test and Performance Tools Platform
Delivery Platform is designed to help
less, and communication of test scripts
(TPTP). Both are open source pro-
ensure access to various software
with development is vastly simplified.
jects that provide shared, open source
development lifecycle assets such
In fact, GUI developers and other
services across tooling environments
as application requirements, and it
members of the development team
that target application development,
enables a shared user experience
can access Rational Functional Tester
testing, deployment and monitoring.
across team disciplines. From the
software from within their Eclipse
Usage of this infrastructure can
perspective of functional testing, this
or Visual Studio .NET code-based
promote benefits ranging from the
helps ensure the ability of developers
integrated development environments
elimination of proprietary data store
and testers to build, share and analyze
(IDEs) to create their own tests.
formats to enabling support for both
functional tests from within the same
internal and third-party customization
user interface they use to construct,
Supporting diverse team needs
and contribution. An investment in
test, deploy and monitor their appli-
As teams take advantage of Rational
tools based on Eclipse and TPTP can
cations using other tools within the
Functional Tester advanced scripting
help organizations avoid vendor lock-
Rational Software Delivery Platform.
capabilities, the need to store multiple
in and encourage future innovation.
versions of a test script becomes
important. Add to this the complication of supporting geographically distributed test teams, and the need for multisite parallel development becomes clear.
About IBM Rational services
For more information
With an eye on whats right for your
To learn more about IBM Rational
business, IBM offers a variety of ser-
Functional Tester software, contact
vices to complement IBM Rational tools
your IBM representative or IBM
and best practices. Rational services
Business Partner, or visit:
are available for large and small projects to help you build team skills,
ibm.com/software/awdtools/tester/
reduce the time to productivity when
functional
implementing a new solution, and
maximize the return on your investment in IBM Rational tools. About IBM Rational quality management software IBM Rational quality management solutions offer testers leading-edge support for performance testing, functional and regression testing, manual testing, developer testing, and test management. With Rational solutions, QA teams can manage and address issues with application functionality, usability, reliability, scalability and performance. Supporting a broad range of environments and built on a comprehensive, self-managing platform, Rational quality management tools enable the tight collaboration of distributed test assets and information across the delivery lifecycle.
Copyright IBM Corporation 2008
IBM Corporation Software Group Route 100 Somers, NY 10589 U.S.A. Produced in the United States of America 01-08 All Rights Reserved. IBM, the IBM logo, ClearCase, Rational and ScriptAssure are trademarks or registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both. Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both. Java and all Java-based trademarks are trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States, other countries, or both. Other company, product and service names may be the trademarks or service marks of others. The information contained in this documentation is provided for informational purposes only. While efforts were made to verify the completeness and accuracy of the information contained in this documentation, it is provided as is without warranty of any kind, express or implied. In addition, this information is based on IBMs current product plans and strategy, which are subject to change by IBM without notice. IBM shall not be responsible for any damages arising out of the use of, or otherwise related to, this documentation or any other documentation. Nothing contained in this documentation is intended to, nor shall have the effect of, creating any warranties or representations from IBM (or its suppliers or licensors), or altering the terms and conditions of the applicable license agreement governing the use of IBM software.
The Rational iterative lifecycle approach
to quality is designed to provide testers with higher-quality code, and to help them improve their productivity and meet tight deadlines.
