Silk Test Workbench Visual Tests en

SilkTest® Workbench
Getting Started with Visual Tests

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All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

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Contents
Welcome to the SilkTest Workbench Visual Test Tutorial......................................5
Introducing the GUI....................................................................................................................5
SilkTest Workbench Main Screen....................................................................................5
Start Screen....................................................................................................................6
Visual Navigator..............................................................................................................8
Recording a Visual Test: Introduction.........................................................................................9
Starting the Sample Web Application............................................................................10
Recording a Visual Test for the Sample Web Application..............................................10
Saving and Naming the Visual Test...............................................................................11
Reviewing the Recorded Test Steps..............................................................................12
Playing Back the Recorded Visual Test.........................................................................13
Analyzing Results: Introduction................................................................................................14
Result Window Overview...............................................................................................14
Using the Result Window Tabs......................................................................................17
Using the Result Window Toolbar..................................................................................18
Using the Properties Pane.............................................................................................18
Using the Screen Preview.............................................................................................19
Enhancing the Visual Test: Introduction....................................................................................20
Updating From the Screen Preview...............................................................................20
Inserting a Verification...................................................................................................20
Creating a Local Variable to Store Application Data......................................................22
Storing Application Data to the Local Variable...............................................................22
Playing Back and Analyzing the Enhanced Visual Test.................................................23
Executing a Visual Test Within a Visual Test: Introduction........................................................24
Modular Testing.............................................................................................................24
Recording the Second Visual Test.................................................................................25
Inserting One Visual Test Within Another......................................................................26
Responding to Playback Errors: Introduction...........................................................................26
Playing Back the Modular Test.......................................................................................26
Debugging Errors..........................................................................................................27
Tracking Variables During Playback...............................................................................28
Reviewing the Result.....................................................................................................29
Modifying the Visual Test that Contains Errors..............................................................29
Contents | 3
Using ActiveData......................................................................................................................30
Reviewing the ActiveData File.......................................................................................31
Creating the ActiveData Test Asset...............................................................................31
Creating Repetition Logic for ActiveData Files..............................................................32
Defining the Steps to Repeat.........................................................................................33
Mapping ActiveData to Literal Data...............................................................................33
Playing Back and Analyzing the ActiveData Visual Test................................................35
Playing Back Scripts From Visual Tests....................................................................................35
Creating a Script to Generate Random Numbers..........................................................36
Defining the Script Input Parameters.............................................................................37
Defining the Script Output Parameters..........................................................................38
Setting Up the Visual Test to Use Script Data ..............................................................38
Using Script Data in the Visual Test ..............................................................................39
Playing Back and Reviewing Test Results.....................................................................39
4 | Contents
Welcome to the SilkTest Workbench Visual
Test Tutorial
Welcome to the SilkTest Workbench Visual Test tutorial, a self-paced guide that demonstrates how to use
SilkTest Workbench's visual, storyboard-based interface to create powerful and flexible functional tests. In this
tutorial, you will learn the basic steps required to create a visual test, play back the visual test, and then analyze
the results of the playback. Additionally, you will learn how to use a number of features that allow you to quickly
update and enhance a recorded visual test.
This tutorial uses the SilkTest sample Web application, http://demo.borland.com/InsuranceWebExtJS/, to
create a real world scenario in which you practice using SilkTest Workbench to create repeatable tests.
The lessons in this tutorial are designed to be completed in sequence as each lesson is based on the output
of previous lessons.
Introducing the GUI

This section introduces the GUI including the Main Screen, Start Screen, and Visual Navigator. This section
is optional. If you are already familiar with the basic elements of the development environment, proceed to the
next section.
SilkTest Workbench Main Screen

SilkTest Workbench's main screen is the starting point for all test activities. With the exception of the menu
bar, the user maintains control over all of the items that are displayed on the desktop.
All other SilkTest Workbench windows, including the Start Screen, Visual Navigator, and Asset Browser, display
as child windows in the SilkTest Workbench Main Screen.
The SilkTest Workbench Main Screen contains the following:
• Menu bar
• Toolbars
• Main asset viewing area
• Status bar
The following graphic shows these elements in the SilkTest Workbench Main Screen. The main asset viewing
area shows a visual test in the Visual Navigator, the Asset Browser in the background, and the Start Screen,
which is minimized.
Welcome to the SilkTest Workbench Visual Test Tutorial |5

Start Screen
The Start Screen lets you quickly begin creating test solutions for all your applications. The Start Screen is
the launching point for creating and managing visual tests, as well as links to all commonly performed testing
activities. The Start Screen contains four panes.
6 | Welcome to the SilkTest Workbench Visual Test Tutorial

• Use the Visual tests pane to access and record new visual tests. You can also open, play back, or view
the results of the most recently accessed visual tests.
• Use the Tasks pane to access frequently used features.
• Use the Flags pane to collaborate test suite and test project information with other testers and users of the
test projects in the database.
• The Help pane provides quick links to learning assistance to help get you productive quickly and lets you
access product information right when you need it.
Click Customize to change the option to display the Start Screen when SilkTest Workbench starts.
Click Close at any time to hide the Start Screen.
Click Collapse Bottom Panel to hide and Expand Bottom Panel to show the Tasks and Help panes in the
Start Screen.
Tip: You can always access it from the main screen by clicking the Start Screen in the watermark. You
can also press Ctrl+Alt+S, or choose View ➤ Start Screen at any time to display it.
Note: The user interface works with standard Windows small and large font sizes. Using a custom font
size may result in the inaccurate display of text in the user interface.

Visual Navigator
The Visual Navigator graphically represents the elements of a visual test and allows you to interact with each
element through a point-and-click interface. When viewed in the Visual Navigator, a visual test is represented
by information displayed in four panes that collectively provide a comprehensive view of each step in a visual
test.
The four panes include:
Test Steps
Lists each step of a visual test in clear non-technical language.
Screen Preview
Displays a snapshot of the application under test as it appears when a step
executes during playback of a visual test.
Properties
Displays the properties of a step in a visual test.

Storyboard
Displays the flow of a visual test through the use of thumbnail images, which
represent the logical groups of steps in a visual test.
Note:
SilkTest Workbench takes snapshots under the following circumstances:
• Before every automation test step during recording.
Note: For SAP applications, snapshots occur when the screen changes rather than before every
automation test step.
• When executing a Using step in a visual test, a snapshot of the result.

• When a playback error occurs.
The Screen Preview, Storyboard, and Properties panes are synchronized with the Test Steps pane and
display information specific to a selected step in the Test Steps pane. In this way, you can easily view all
aspects of a step by selecting a step in the Test Steps pane, and then viewing information about the step in
the other panes.
In addition to viewing a visual test, the Visual Navigator also allows you to enhance or update an existing
visual test by using the Screen Preview and Properties panes. For example, in the Properties pane, after
recording a visual test, you can change the literal value of a recorded property by replacing it with a variable.
Additionally, to quickly update a visual test when changes occur in the application under test, you can update
previously captured screens using the Update Screen feature of the Screen Preview.
The Visual Navigator also displays the playback result of a visual test using the same panes as those used
for a visual test. For a result, the panes have additional functionality and appear in the Result window, which
contains toolbar options and several tabs that display different views of result content. Examples of additional
functionality specific to a result include the ability to see the pass or fail status of each step in the Test Steps
pane. Additionally, in the Screen Preview, you can see a comparison of the differences between the screens
captured during recording and screens captured during playback, and then update the existing visual test
without accessing the test application.
Recording a Visual Test: Introduction

As you perform actions to create an insurance quote request in the sample Web application, SilkTest Workbench
records the actions as steps. Steps form the basis of a visual test. When you have completed recording actions
needed for a test, you can see the recorded test in the Visual Navigator. Steps display in the Test Steps pane
of the Visual Navigator.
Note: The sample application used in this tutorial is designed and optimized to run on Internet Explorer.
To ensure a user experience consistent with the lessons in the tutorial, Micro Focus does not recommend
running the tutorial sample application on the Mozilla Firefox browser.
Note: Before you record or playback Web applications, disable all browser add-ons that are installed in
your system.To disable add-ons in Internet Explorer, choose Tools ➤ Internet Options, click the Programs
tab, click Manage add-ons, select an add-on and then click Disable.

Starting the Sample Web Application
For this tutorial, use the SilkTest sample Web application. This Web application is provided for demonstration
purposes.
Use the SilkTest sample Web application with Internet Explorer. To ensure a user experience consistent with
the lessons in the tutorial, we do not recommend running the sample Web application with the Mozilla Firefox
browser.
1. To record DOM functions to make your test faster and more reliable, perform the following steps:
a) Choose Tools ➤ Options.
b) Click the plus sign (+) next to Record in the Options menu tree.
The Record options display in the right side panel.
c) Click xBrowser.
d) From the Record native user input list box, select No.
e) Click OK.
Note: Typically, when you test Web applications, you use native user input rather than DOM functions.
Native user input supports plug-ins, such as Flash and Java applets, and applications that use AJAX,
while high-level API recordings do not.
2. To ensure that all browser add-ons are disabled, perform the following steps:
Before you record or playback Web applications, you must disable all browser add-ons.
a) In Internet Explorer, choose Tools ➤ Internet Options.
The Internet Options dialog box opens.
b) Click the Programs tab and then click Manage add-ons.
The Manage Add-ons dialog box opens.
c) In the list of add-ons, review the Status column and ensure that the status for each add-on is Disabled.
If the Status column shows Enabled, select the add-on and then click Disable.
d) Click Close and then click OK.
3. To access the sample application remotely, click http://demo.borland.com/InsuranceWebExtJS.
The sample application Web page opens.
4. If you installed the Web application locally, perform the following steps:
a) Choose Start ➤ Programs ➤ Borland ➤ Borland Demo Application ➤ Startup Demo Environment.
The database starts.
b) Choose Start ➤ Programs ➤ Borland ➤ Borland Demo Application ➤ Demo Application.
The sample application Web page opens.
To install the Web application locally, chooseStart ➤ Programs ➤ Silk ➤ SilkTest <version> ➤ Sample
Applications ➤ xBrowser ➤ Test Application and then extract and run the EXE file.
Recording a Visual Test for the Sample Web Application

During recording, SilkTest Workbench records all interactions in the test application (except interaction with
SilkTest Workbench itself) until recording is stopped. After you have finished recording, you can modify the
visual test you have generated to add and remove steps.
1. Choose File ➤ New.

The New Asset dialog box opens.
2. Select Visual test from the asset types list.
3. Check the Begin Recording check box to start recording immediately.
4. Click OK to save the visual test as an asset and begin recording.
The Select Application dialog box opens.
5. Select InsuranceWeb: Home - Windows Internet Explorer from the list and then click OK.
SilkTest Workbench minimizes and a Recording dialog box opens.
6. In the Insurance Company Web site, perform the following steps:
During recording the SilkTest Workbench icon on the task bar flashes. You can see the current object that
you are working with and the last action that was recorded in the Recording dialog box.
a) From the Select a Service or login list box, select Auto Quote.
The Automobile Instant Quote page opens.
b) Type a zip code and email address in the appropriate text boxes, click an automobile type, and then
click Next.
To follow this tutorial step-by-step, type 92121 as the zip code, jsmith@gmail.com as the email
address and specify Car as the automobile type.
c) Specify an age, click a gender and driving record type, and then click Next.
For example, type 42 as the age, specify the gender as Male and Good as the driving record type.
d) Specify a year, make, and model, click the financial info type, and then click Next.
For example, type 2010 as the year, specify Lexus and RX400 as the make and model, and Lease as
the financial info type.
A summary of the information you specified appears.
e) Click Purchase.
The Purchase A Quote page opens.
f) Click Home near the top of the page to return to the home page where recording started.
7. Stop recording by pressing Alt+F10, clicking Stop Recording in the Recording dialog box, or clicking
the SilkTest Workbench taskbar icon.
The Recording Complete dialog box opens. If the Do not show this message again check box is checked
in the Recording Complete dialog box, this dialog box does not appear after recording is stopped. In this
case, the visual test displays in the Test Steps pane.
Saving and Naming the Visual Test

Once you have recorded your test, the Recording Complete dialog box opens and then you can:
• Play back the recorded visual test.
• Review the recorded actions in the Visual Navigator.
• Save the visual test, and then review the recorded test in the Visual Navigator.
Since you have just recorded the visual test for the first time, save and name the test before playing it back or
reviewing the recorded actions.
1. From the Recording Complete dialog box, click Save.

Tip: When you create an asset without naming it, SilkTest Workbench assigns the temporary name
"Untitled_" followed by a sequential number.
Because the test has not been named yet, the Save As dialog box opens.
2. In the Name text box, change the name to AutoQuote.
Welcome to the SilkTest Workbench Visual Test Tutorial | 11

3. In the Description text box, type Visual test tutorial.
4. Click OK.
The visual test displays in the Visual Navigator.
Reviewing the Recorded Test Steps

Once you have recorded your visual test and saved it, the visual test displays in the Visual Navigator. The four
panes of the Visual Navigator provide a comprehensive view of the visual test.
Steps in the Test Steps pane represent the screens accessed during recording and the actions performed
while completing the quote in the Web application.
Your recorded steps should be similar to the steps in the following graphic.
Note: This tutorial uses locators rather than object map items. As a result, your test steps may look slightly
different from the tutorial.

The columns in the Test Steps pane include:
Column Description
(Number)* Represents the sequential order in which steps are recorded and played back.
Steps display in this sequential order by default.
Any steps that have breakpoints added for debugging display a breakpoint in the
column next to this column.
If you change the view from the default view (Steps and Screens) to the Screens
only or the Steps only view, the numbering scheme sequentially skips the steps or
screens to indicate the gap in the recording sequence.
(Logic)* Displays icons representing the type of logic for the step, if the step contains logic.
(Step Type)* Displays icons representing the type of action being executed in the step.
Steps Describes the action being taken for the step.
(Flag)* Displays the Assigned Flag icon.

The Assigned Flag icon indicates that the associated step is flagged to appear in
the Test Steps pane and optionally on the Start Screen of the assigned user.
Additionally, you can move your pointer over the icon to display a ToolTip containing
the flag description, modified date, and assigned date.
(Step Description)* Displays a user-defined step description. This column does not display in the default
view, but can be shown by clicking Actions from the Test Steps pane title bar and
then View ➤ Step Description.
To create a step description, select a step. In the Properties pane, update the Step
description property. A Step Description icon appears in this column indicating
that the step has a description. Either move your pointer over the icon to display a
ToolTip containing the description or select the step and read the description in the
Properties pane.

Tip: Different panes in the Visual Navigator are synchronized with the Test Steps pane. In the preceding
graphic, the recorded step that selects Auto Quote from the list box is selected in the Test Steps pane.
As a result:
• The Screen Preview shows the state of the application before Auto Quote is selected.
• The Properties pane shows the properties for the selected step.
• The thumbnail representing the group of steps related to selecting the Auto Quote list item is highlighted
in the Storyboard.
Scroll through the steps in the visual test and select various steps to view the updated information in the other
panes.
Playing Back the Recorded Visual Test

Once you have recorded and saved your visual test, you can play it back to verify that the visual test works.
1. Perform one of the following steps:

• Choose Actions ➤ Playback.
• Click Playback on the toolbar.

The Playback dialog box opens. This dialog box lets you determine how the result is saved.
2. In the Result description text box, type Initial test results for the recorded test.
3. Click OK.
Each result is identified with a unique test run number.
SilkTest Workbench minimizes and the visual test plays back. During playback, the actions you performed
while recording the visual test are played back on the screen against the sample application. When playback
completes successfully, the Playback Complete dialog box opens.
Analyzing Results: Introduction

After playing back a visual test, SilkTest Workbench generates a test result. A test result contains information
about the playback of the visual test. Information such as the name of the visual test, the run number, the date
and time each step executed, the pass or fail status of each step, and other important information.
Result Window Overview

After playing back a visual test or script, you can view the results of the playback in the Result window. The
Result window contains the Visual Navigator, which allows you to quickly see all aspects of test playback. In
addition to the Visual Navigator, the Result window contains the following additional features and functionality:

Result Window Toolbar
The Result window toolbar contains the following buttons and list boxes for customizing the display and type
of content found in a result:
• Filter Results By Type Selection – Provides quick access to all pre-defined and user-defined result filters.
Select a filter from the list.
• Manage Filters – Opens the Manage Filters dialog box from which you can create, edit, and apply result
filters.
• Criteria – Displays the Criteria dialog box from which you can set a percentage of passed verifications as
the criteria to define the success of all future runs. For example, a pass criteria of 90% means that at least
9 out of 10 verifications in a visual test or script must pass for the result of the playback to pass. Setting
this option updates the Playback Result option Result pass criteria (percentage). This percentage is
applied to all future results.
• Show All Runs – Opens the Run Detail dialog box which displays the details of each result run. From this
dialog box, you can open or delete any previous run.
• Refresh – Refreshes the current result.
• View – For visual tests, sets the type of steps to appear in the Test Steps pane. Click the drop-down arrow
next to this button and select to view either steps only , screen steps only, or both. Additionally, you can
choose to view the Step Description column. The selected view is applied to each tab (Passed, Failed,
Flags, and Details) in the Result window.

• Basic View – Displays the standard Test Step pane information with the additional columns of Result and
Result Detail. Disabled while viewing the Summary tab.
• Advanced View – Displays detailed information for each step. Disabled while viewing the Summary tab.
Result Window Tabs

The Result window contains five tabs that organize result content into specific types:
• Summary tab: Displays a high-level overview report with the following information:
• Overall result for run – Indicates 'Passed' if the visual test or script played back successfully and met
the result pass criteria percentage), 'Failed' if it did not meet the result pass criteria percentage, and
'Playback Error' if a step did not perform successfully.
• Reason for abort – Displays the reason playback of a visual test or script was aborted.
• Latest run number – Displays the run number of the most current result.
• Recent runs – Displays the most recent runs. Click a previous run to view it. To open a previous run
not appearing in this field, click Show All Runs on the toolbar to open the Run Detail dialog box from
which you can open or delete any previous run.
• Visual test/.NET Script executed – Displays the name of the visual test or script of the result.
• Visual test/.NET Script description – Displays the description of the visual test or script of the result.
• Result description – Displays the description of the result.
• Visual tests or .NET Scripts – Lists all the visual tests or scripts that ran successfully as part of the
playback, including inserted visual tests or scripts that ran using the Workbench.RunScript( ) method.
For example, a driver script could run several scripts in one playback.
• Verifications passed – The total number of verifications in all visual tests or scripts that executed
successfully and passed. Click the number in this field to open Passed tab from which you can view all
passed verifications.
• Verifications failed – The total number of verifications in all visual tests or scripts that executed
successfully but failed. Click the number in this field to open Failed tab from which you can view all
failed verifications.
• Flags – For visual tests, the total number of flagged verification steps in the result. Click the number in
this field to open the Flags tab. Flags are not available for scripts.
• Start time – The time the first visual test or script begins playback.
• End time – The time the last visual test or script completes playback.
• Total time – The total time the visual test or script played back.
• Steps run – The total number of steps or code lines run.
• Playback setting – Displays the Playback setting which is the group of playback options used to create
the result. Click Edit to display the Playback options from which you can set the Playback setting.
• Passed tab: Displays all passed verifications.

• Failed tab: Displays all failed verifications. Steps that result in a playback error do not appear on this tab.
• Flags tab: Displays any flagged steps created by verification logic only. Flagged steps in a visual test do
not appear in this tab after playback. Flags are not available for scripts.
• Details tab: Displays information about each step of a visual test or each code line in a script. Information
such as the name of the test step or code line, the pass/fail status, a description, and flag status.
Visual Navigator Panes

For visual tests, the Passed tab, Failed tab, Flags tab, and Details tab all contain the four panes of the Visual
Navigator:
• Test Steps
• Screen Preview

• Properties
• Storyboard
The Properties pane contains a Show/Hide Step Properties of Visual Test Before Playback toolbar button,
which allows you to show or hide the visual test properties of a selected step.
For scripts, the Result window displays only the Test Step and Properties panes. The Test Steps pane
contains additional columns which provide more information about the playback status and the result of each
test step.
To customize the display of result data, you can modify the Default result view from the General options.
Additionally, you can modify playback results options and create filters to view desired data.
Using the Result Window Tabs

To quickly view test result information, the Result window contains five tabs which function as filters that
organize and display specific types of result information.
1. Click Go to Result on the Playback Complete dialog box.

The Result window opens to the Summary tab by default. The Summary tab provides an overview of the
test run including information such as whether the playback was successful or not, the latest run number,
the number of verifications that passed or failed, the start time and end time of the test, and other basic
information about the result of the test run.
2. Click the Details tab.
The Details tab displays the result of every step using the four panes of the Visual Navigator:
Test Steps
Lists information about the playback result of each step in the visual
test.
Screen Preview
Displays the Web application screens captured during playback.
Properties
Displays the properties of a step.
Storyboard
Provides a graphical outline and overview of a result.
Note: The Passed, Failed, and Flags tabs also display result information using the Visual Navigator.
The only difference is that these tabs display specific types of steps, whereas, the Details tab displays
every step.
3. Select any step.

SilkTest Workbench updates the other panes with information specific to the selected step. In the Screen
Preview, the screen captured during playback is compared against the screen captured when the visual
test was first recorded. In the Properties pane, the properties of the selected step are listed. And in the
Storyboard, the group of steps in which the step occurs is highlighted.
Tip: To view the entire name of the step, you might have to expand the Steps column or move your
pointer over the step to display a ToolTip containing the entire name.

Using the Result Window Toolbar
The Result window toolbar provides several options for customizing the display and type of content found in
a result.
1. Click Advanced View on the Results toolbar.

SilkTest Workbench displays additional columns in the Test Steps pane and additional properties in the
Properties pane.
2. In the Test Steps pane, scroll to the right to view the additional columns.
These columns provide specific information about each step such as, the time in milliseconds it took for
the step to run, the user name of the person who ran the test, and other specific details.
3. In the Properties pane, the Result property category lists the corresponding properties of each column in
the Test Steps pane. Scroll down to view the entire list.
4. Click the View drop-down arrow and select Steps Only.
SilkTest Workbench filters out all the screens, so you can quickly see only the steps.
5. Click the View drop-down arrow and select Steps and Screens.
SilkTest Workbench displays all the screens and steps of the result.
The Result window toolbar contains additional options for customizing the display and type of content found
in a result.
Using the Properties Pane

The Properties pane displays properties of a step that describe the basic characteristics of the step including
the name of the step, the execution status, the details about the playback performance, and other information.
1. Click the step Enter '42'.

This step performs the action of typing the value '42' into the Age text box.
The Properties pane updates and displays the properties of the selected step.
2. Click the Categorized icon if it is not already selected.
The properties are grouped into three main categories:
Result
Contains properties that correspond to the columns in the Test Steps pane. Properties
such as the name of the step, the date and time the step was executed, and the time
it took to run the step.
Extended
Contains additional playback details such as the locator name SilkTest Workbench
properties
uses to identify the control or the value of the text entered by an Enter action step.
Extended properties are helpful to view the contents of variables or expressions when
they are used in action steps. For example, an Enter step that uses the variable
textVar as its value displays the contents of textVar in the Extended properties
category.
3. Expand the Extended properties node.

The Text property and Locator property appear with their respective values listed. The Text property value
is 42, which is the value entered in the Age text box for this step.
4. Click the Show/Hide Step Properties of Visual Test Before Playback icon.

The Visual test details node appears and lists all of the original properties of the step as they exist in the
visual test.
Using the Screen Preview

The Screen Preview displays a captured image of the test application for each step in the Test Steps pane
that interacts with a control. The captured image can show the full desktop, the application window, or only
the active window. Captured images represent the state of the application before its associated step is executed.
1. In the Test Steps pane, select the step that contains the year of the car.
Enter '2010'
In the Screen Preview, the screen captured during playback appears next to the screen captured during
the recording of the visual test. The control for this step, the browser window, is highlighted by a black box.
2. In the Screen Preview, click Actions ➤ Show Differences ➤ Off.

The Visual test screen closes and the Playback screen opens.
3. Click Actions ➤ Zoom ➤ 75%, then use the scroll bars to position the page so that it displays the year
clearly.
4. Switch to the visual test. In the Test Steps pane, click Actions ➤ Visual test Window.

Enhancing the Visual Test: Introduction
Enhancing a visual test includes making updates to the existing visual test to ensure that it works with newer
versions of the test application. For example, to handle and verify varying conditions in the test application you
can insert test logic. Additionally, to increase the readability of a visual test or to remind yourself or others
about important aspects of the test, you can insert a flag, message box, or step description.
These are just some of the ways in which you can use SilkTest Workbench to enhance existing visual test to
create more powerful, robust, and flexible tests.
Updating From the Screen Preview

When SilkTest Workbench records a visual test, it captures screens from the test application in addition to the
associated controls for each screen. In the Screen Preview, SilkTest Workbench displays each captured
screen and highlights the control that is identified by a given step in the visual test. From the Screen Preview,
you can update a step by identifying a different control in the captured screen without accessing the test
application.
In this lesson, you will select a different button from the captured screen in the Screen Preview using SilkTest
Workbench's Insert Control From Screen Preview feature.
1. In the Test Steps pane of the AutoQuote visual test, select the step before the <<End>> step.
The step text is similar to the following:
Select link 'Home'
The Screen Preview displays the Purchase A Quote page and highlights the Home button.
2. In the Properties pane, click the Locator text box.
The locator selection buttons display in the value area of the locator.
3. In the Screen Preview, click Actions ➤ Zoom ➤ 75%, then use the scroll bars to position the screen so
that the Contact Us button is clearly visible.
4. In the Properties pane, click Identify from the screen preview.
The pointer moves to the Screen Preview.
5. Move the pointer over the Contact Us button and then click the Contact Us button.
When you click the button, the Locator property in the Properties pane changes to display the new locator
name for the button, and the step text in the Test Steps pane changes to the following:
Select link 'Contact Us'
6. Click Save.
The next time you play back the visual test, SilkTest Workbench clicks the Contact Us button instead of the
Home button.
Inserting a Verification
A verification is test logic that evaluates a user-defined condition, and then sends a pass/fail message and,
optionally, a flag to the playback result of a visual test.
In this lesson, you will insert a verification to ensure that the quote uses the correct vehicle model.

1. Ensure that you are viewing both steps and screens by clicking Actions ➤ View ➤ Steps and Screens
in the Test Steps pane.
2. Select the Using BrowserApplication 'BrowserApplication' step before the step that includes
Select button 'id=quote-result:purchase-quote'.
3. In the Screen Preview, click Actions ➤ Zoom ➤ 75%, then use the scroll bars to position the screen so
that the Model is clearly visible.
• Click Create Verification Type Logic on the toolbar.
• Choose Insert ➤ Test Logic ➤ Verification.
The Welcome page of the Test Logic Designer wizard opens.
5. Click Next.
The Select a Logic Type page opens.
6. Click The property of a control, and then click Next.
The Define a property-based condition page opens.
7. Click Identify from the screen preview.
8. From the Model text box, click RX400.
The Define a property-based condition page displays the name of the selected control, in this case, the
model type, and the properties of the control. The control name displays as:
//BrowserApplication//BrowserWindow//SPAN[@id='quote-result:model']
and the Select the condition is set to Is Equal to while the Expected value is quote-result:model.
9. Change the Expected value to use the updated TextContents property by typing RX400 in the Expected
value text box.
10. Click Next.
The Build the Verification page opens. From this page, you can define the pass or fail message to send
to the playback result. At the top of the page, the condition that SilkTest Workbench verifies should be as
follows:
If "//BrowserApplication//BrowserWindow//SPAN[@id='quote-result:model']".
"TextContents" Is Equal to "RX400"
This condition defines the logic for the verification. The condition compares the model type to the type
selected.
11. Replace the default pass text description to The model type is correct, and the default failed text
description to The model type is NOT correct.
12. Click Next.
The Summary page opens.
A verification step is inserted after the selected step. The step text for the verification step is similar to the
following:
Verify "//BrowserApplication//BrowserWindow//SPAN[
@id='quote-result:model']"."TextContents" Is Equal to "RX400"
13. After reviewing the verification, click Finish.
You have successfully enhanced the recorded visual test by inserting test logic that verifies the value of a
property in the sample application.

Creating a Local Variable to Store Application Data
Variables enhance visual tests by providing the ability to store data values for use in other parts of the test or
in other visual tests or scripts. Data can also be output to other types of files.
In this lesson, you will store variable text in the control that displays the email address so it can be used in a
later lesson of the tutorial. To do this, you must first create a local variable to store the text.
1. In the Test Steps pane, click Actions ➤ Insert ➤ Variable ➤ Add Local.
The Add Local Variable dialog box opens.
2. In the Variable name text box, type strEmailAddress.
3. From the Type list, select Text.
Leave the Initial value text box empty for this lesson, since a value will be stored to the variable in a
subsequent lesson.
The text type stores the variable value as a text, or string data type.
4. Click OK.
The new variable is saved for the visual test. Once the variable is created, you can see it and edit its
definition from the <<Start>> step.
5. To view the strEmailAddress variable, select the <<Start>> step in the Test Steps pane.
Tip: The <<Start>> step is always the first step in any visual test.
Properties for the step display in the Properties pane. With the <<Start>> step selected, strEmailAddress
displays in the Variables category defined as a Text variable.
The value area for the variable types indicate the number of variables of the type that are currently defined.
In this lesson, one Text variable has been created, so the value area for the item shows that one item is
associated with this test.
Now that you have created the local variable to store the quote email address, store the email address text
from the application to the variable.
Storing Application Data to the Local Variable

The sample application displays a unique email address on the Get Instant Auto Quote page page. The text
on this page containing the email address is the property value of a control on the page.
In this lesson, you will store this text to the local variable strEmailAddress created in the previous exercise.
1. In the Test Steps pane, select the step after the step that shows the email address value.
The step text should look similar to the following:
Select radio button 'id=autoquote:vehicle:0'
When the step is selected, the captured screen for the Get Instant Auto Quote page page displays in the
Screen Preview.
2. In the Test Steps pane, click Actions ➤ Insert ➤ Property from Control.
This inserts a step into the visual test just after the selected step. The step text should be similar to the
following:
Get the '' property of the control

This step will be used to store the email address text from the Get Instant Auto Quote page page to the
local variable by editing the step properties. You will edit the step properties to specify the control to be
used, the property of the control, and the variable to store the property value.The variable is strEmailAddress,
which you created in the previous exercise.
3. In the Screen Preview, click Actions ➤ Zoom ➤ 50%, and then use the scroll bars to position the screen
so that the email address text is clearly visible.
4. In the Properties pane, click the Locator text box.
The locator selection buttons display in the value area of the locator.
5. Click Identify from the screen preview.
6. Move the pointer over the E-Mail text on the page.
Ensure the highlighted box appears around the text on the page, then click the highlighted area to identify
the control.
SilkTest Workbench updates the Locator information in the Properties pane with the following value:
//BrowserApplication//BrowserWindow//INPUT[@id='autoquote:e-mail']
7. In the Properties pane, click the Property text box, and then select Text from the list for its value.
8. Click (Select a local variable...) and then select strEmailAddress from the list.
Now that you have successfully identified the control, the property of the control containing the desired
value, and the variable in which to store the property value, the step text should read as follows:
Put the 'Text' property of the control into variable 'strEmailAddress'
The Local variable name value in both the Properties pane and the step text changes to strEmailAddress.
To confirm that the test captures the property value and stores it properly, play back the test and review the
result.
Playing Back and Analyzing the Enhanced Visual Test

Now that you have made several enhancements to the recorded test, play back the visual test and analyze
the result.

The Playback dialog box opens.
2. In the Result description text box, type Enhanced test results for the recorded visual
test.
3. Click OK.
SilkTest Workbench plays back the enhanced test.
The Result window opens to the Summary tab by default.
The Summary tab shows that the visual test passed, which means it played back successfully without any
errors, or failed verifications.
5. Click the Passed (1) tab.

The number in parentheses indicates the total number of verifications that passed. The Test Steps pane
displays the verification step and the Result Detail column displays the pass text description of the
verification.
6. Click the Details tab to display the result of every step.
7. In the Test Steps pane of the Result window, scroll down to the step that shows the result of storing the
email address to a variable. The step text is similar to the following:
Put the 'Text' property of the control into variable 'strEmailAddress'
8. The contents of the strEmailAddress variable displays in the Result Detail column. To view the entire
contents of the Text property value, move your cursor over the Result Detail column for the step. A ToolTip
appears displaying the entire contents of the property.
Congratulations! You have successfully created a visual test that reliably tests the sample application. In the
next lesson, you will learn about several advanced testing concepts and features such as how to quickly and
easily execute a visual test within another visual test.
Executing a Visual Test Within a Visual Test: Introduction

In this tutorial, you created a single visual test that performs every action required to receive an auto insurance
quote from the web application. A single visual test is useful when implementing a basic test case against a
simple application. However, most software testing requires a more rigorous approach that involves testing
every aspect of an application. An additional requirement is the ability to rapidly update existing visual tests
whenever the test application changes.
To provide an efficient means for solving these testing challenges, SilkTest Workbench supports modular
testing, in which you can "chunk" common sets of actions of a particular testing solution into a single test, and
then reuse the visual test in other visual tests that require the same set of actions.
Modular Testing
Before creating visual tests, scripts, and other SilkTest Workbench assets to build application testing solutions,
it is a good practice to plan a testing strategy.
It is not necessary to include all the parts of a specific test solution in a single visual test or script and is not
usually beneficial to do so.
Typically, the most efficient testing approach is a modular approach. Think of your application testing in terms
of distinct series of transaction units.
For example, testing an online ordering system might include the following distinct transaction units:
• Log on to the online system
• Create a customer profile
• Place orders
• Log off the online system
If one test is created to handle all of these distinct units and there are ten different scenarios that use this test,
you would need to record ten different tests to handle the scenarios. If any change occurs to the application,
for example if an extra field is added to the logon window, ten different tests would require a change to
accommodate data input to the new field.

Rather than creating one visual test or script that tests all of these transaction units, and then recreating it ten
times for each scenario, it may be more beneficial to create separate tests as test "modules" that handle each
one of these transaction units. If a separate test is created for each of the separate transaction units and reused
for each of the test scenarios, then only the test that handles the logon transaction unit would require change.
Now that you understand the basics of modular testing, you are ready to create a second test and add it to
the test you created in the previous lessons.
Recording the Second Visual Test

In this section of the lesson, you record a second visual test for the tutorial and learn an alternate way to create
a visual test asset.

2. Select Visual test from the asset types list, and then type a name for the visual test asset in the Asset
name text box.
For this tutorial, type AddAccount for the name.
6. From the Home page of the sample application, click Sign Up in the Login section.
The Create A New Account page opens.
7. Provide the following information in the appropriate fields.
Press the Tab key to move from one field to the next.
Field Name Value
First Name Pat

Last Name Smith
Birthday February 12, 1990
Note: Click the down arrow next to the month and year in the calendar control to change
the month and year and then select 12 on the calendar.
E-Mail Address smith@test.com

Mailing Address 1212 Test Way
City San Diego
State CA
Postal Code 92121
Password test

8. Click Sign Up.
9. Click Continue.
The contact information is displayed.
10. Click Home near the top of the page to return to the home page where recording started.
11. Click Log Out.

12. Press Alt+F10 to complete recording.
The Recording Complete dialog box opens.
13. Click Save.
The visual test opens in the Visual Navigator.
Inserting One Visual Test Within Another

In this section of the lesson, you will learn how to insert the second visual test, which adds a user account, in
the original visual test before the steps that perform the request for an auto quote.
Executing visual tests within visual tests is a powerful method for efficiently testing the same basic steps in
multiple visual tests.
Tip: When inserting a visual test within another visual test, it is important to ensure that any test applications
are in the correct initial playback state.
1. From the Recent list in the Start Screen, click AutoQuote to open it.
AutoQuote is the first visual test that you created in this tutorial.
2. In the Test Steps pane, select the <<Start>> step.
3. Click Actions ➤ Insert ➤ Visual test.
The Browse for Visual test dialog box opens.
4. From the Select an asset list, select the visual test named AddAccount and then click OK.
SilkTest Workbench inserts a step before the selected step. The inserted step calls the selected visual test.
The step text is as follows:
Playback visual test 'AddAccount'
Tip: During playback, when the preceding step executes, the original visual test plays back to completion
before the inserted visual test plays back.
In the next lesson, you will learn how to playback this modular visual test, and respond to a playback error.
Responding to Playback Errors: Introduction

Errors encountered during playback can be caused by a variety of factors, such as changes in the test application
and improper visual test step flow. Quickly diagnosing and fixing these errors using the debugging features
minimizes visual test maintenance and allows for a more efficient team testing effort.
First, begin this lesson by playing back the modular test you created in the previous lesson.
Playing Back the Modular Test

In the previous lesson, you created a modular test by inserting one visual test, AddAccount, into another visual
test, AutoQuote.
In this section of the lesson, you will play back the modular test and encounter an error during playback.
1. With the AutoQuote visual test open, click Playback on the toolbar.

2. In the Result description text box, type Responding to errors in a modular test.
3. Click OK.
During playback, the test stops on the Create A New Account page and an error message opens.
This error occurs because the database requires a unique email address for each customer record. Since
you have already entered the email address during the recording of the AddAccount visual test, the email
address already exists in the database and the test fails.
Now that you have encountered a playback error, you are ready to debug the test.
Debugging Errors
After SilkTest Workbench encounters a playback error, the SilkTest Workbench Playback Error dialog box
opens and provides the option to enter Debug mode. In Debug mode, playback is suspended, which allows
you to diagnose and fix any playback errors using the SilkTest Workbench debugging features.
In this section of the lesson, you will learn how to debug the error that occurred during playback of the modular
test in the previous section.
1. From the Playback Error dialog box, click Debug.

In Debug mode, playback is suspended. This allows you to fix the error by either editing the properties of
the step incurring the error, deleting the step, disabling the step, or copying and pasting a step from another
visual test before resuming playback.
SilkTest Workbench enters Debug mode and displays the AddAccount visual test with the step incurring
the error highlighted in yellow.
2. Choose Edit ➤ Enable/Disable to disable the step Select button 'id=signup:continue'.
By disabling this step, you prevent the error from occurring the next time you play back the test.
The step text turns grey and italicized indicating that it is disabled.
3. Click Playback on the toolbar.
The Playback Error dialog box opens.
4. Click Debug.
5. Choose Edit ➤ Enable/Disable to disable the step Select button 'id=logout-form:logout'.
This error occurs because the test is looking for the Log Out button on the Home page, but since the Sign
Up Continue step is disabled, the button does not display on the page. We will fix this error later in this
tutorial.
6. Choose Debug from the menu.
The following Step commands that appear at the top of the menu allow you to control the step execution:
Step Into (F8) Executes playback one step at a time. Step Into is useful to trace through each step,
and steps into other visual tests inserted into the visual test being played back. Each
inserted visual test is also executed one step at a time.
Step Into is useful for detailed analysis of a test, and lets you see the effect of each
step or statement on variable usage and test application interaction.
Step Over (Shift Executes an entire visual test inserted into another visual test as if it were a single
+ F8) step. Use Step Over when playback is in debug mode for a step that plays back a
visual test. This plays back the inserted visual test in its entirety. Once the inserted
visual test plays back in its entirety, playback suspends in debug mode at the next
step in the original visual test.

Using Step Over at a step other than one that plays back another visual test has
the same effect as using Step Into. Only the next step executes before playback
suspends and re-enters debug mode.
Step Out (Ctrl + Executes all remaining steps in a visual test being played back from another visual
Shift + F8) test, then suspends playback at the next step in the original visual test.
Use Step Out when playback is suspended at a step in a visual test that has been
inserted in another visual test, and you want to playback the remaining visual test
and return to the original visual test. When playback executes the remainder of the
inserted visual test, it suspends and re-enters debug mode at the next sequential
line in the original visual test.
Run To Cursor Allows you to select a step where you want playback suspended. This allows you to
(Ctrl + F8) "step over" selected sections of a visual test.
Use Run To Cursor to playback the visual test and stop playback at a point just
before a run-time error occurs. This lets you stop playback at a specific line without
having to insert breakpoints. Once playback stops, you can continue using one of
the other debug options.
Run From Cursor Plays back the visual test from the currently selected test step.
7. Choose Step Out.

This command executes the remaining steps in the AddAccount visual test, and then suspends playback
in the next step of the AutoQuote visual test.
After selecting Step Out, SilkTest Workbench displays the home page, which is the last step in AddAccount,
and suspends playback. SilkTest Workbench then opens AutoQuote in Debug mode and highlights the
next step.
Next, you learn how to monitor the values of variables used in the visual test.
Tracking Variables During Playback

In Debug mode, you can track the playback values of both local and reserved variables using the Monitor
Variables window.
In this section of the lesson, you will learn how to use the Monitor Variables window to view the value of the
local variable you created in a previous lesson.
1. Choose Debug ➤ Monitor Variables.

The Monitor Variables window opens.
2. Expand the Local and visual test variables node.
The local variable you created in a previous lesson, strEmailAddress, appears. During playback, the value
for this variable will appear in the Value column once the step using the variable executes. The result looks
like the following graphic:

Note: If you want to see the variable values in the Monitor Variables window but your test does not
have any errors, insert a breakpoint in the visual test. To insert a breakpoint, select the step following
the variable step, choose Debug ➤ Set/Clear Breakpoint and then playback the test.
3. To see how the Run to Cursor debugging works, select the step Click 'Lexus' at 24,9 and then
choose Debug ➤ Run to Cursor.
SilkTest Workbench plays back the remaining steps until the step Click 'Lexus' at 24,9, and then
displays the AutoQuote visual test.
Now you are ready to complete the playback of the modular test and review the test results.
Reviewing the Result

Review the results of the visual test after you have finished debugging the visual test.
1. Click Playback on the toolbar to complete playback of the AutoQuote visual test.
The Playback Complete dialog box opens.
2. Click Go to Result.
The AutoQuote result appears with the Summary tab displayed by default.
The Summary tab displays the overall details of the test run. Note that the Visual tests or .NET Scripts
(number of times each ran) field lists AutoQuote(1) and the inserted visual test, AddAccount(1).
3. Click the Details tab.
4. In the Test Steps pane, scroll down to the steps in blue text.
By reviewing the Result and Result Detail columns, you can quickly find information about any errors that
occurred during playback.
Note: To view all steps in the Test Steps pane, make sure you have Steps and Screen selected. Click
Actions ➤ View ➤ Steps and Screens. The Failed tab does not display steps containing playback
errors. It only displays failed verifications.
Now that you have learned how to diagnose and debug playback errors, you are ready to modify the visual
test to record additional steps to fix the error.
Modifying the Visual Test that Contains Errors

The errors within our visual test occur because the database requires a unique email address for each customer
record. Since you have already entered the email address during the recording of the AddAccount visual test,
the email address already exists in the database and the test fails. You can solve the database duplication
error by recording additional steps within the test or you can add another modular test. For instance, we can
record another visual test that resets the database and then insert the new test into the AddAccount visual
test. Creating a modular test enables you to use the Reset Database steps within other visual tests as well.

2. Select Visual test from the asset types list, and then type a name for the visual test asset in the Asset
name text box.
For this tutorial, type ResetDatabase for the name.

6. From the Home page of the sample application, click Settings in the bottom right portion of the page.
7. In the Reset Database section, click Reset.
This step is necessary to ensure that subsequent tests will not encounter errors when the duplicate data
is entered.
8. Click Home near the top of the page to return to the home page where recording started.
9. Open the AddAccount visual test.
10. In the Test Steps pane, select the <<Start>> step.
11. Click Actions ➤ Insert ➤ Visual test.
The Browse for Visual test dialog box opens.
12. From the Select an asset list, select the visual test named ResetDatabase and then click OK.
SilkTest Workbench inserts a step before the selected step. The inserted step calls the selected visual test.
The step text is as follows:
Playback visual test 'ResetDatabase'
13. Open the AutoQuote visual test and click Playback on the toolbar.
All three visual tests complete without any errors.
Using ActiveData
To effectively mimic application use, application testing often involves performing the same action or set of
actions repeatedly using different sets of data. For example, the previous lesson included recording a test that
created a customer record. To create ten customer records, you can record ten different tests, each with its
own set of customer data. However, with SilkTest Workbench you can enhance this original test to run repeatedly
for ten iterations and use a different set of data for each iteration.
With ActiveData testing, you can use data in external files as input to the test application, and then repeat
selected steps using different data for each iteration.
In this lesson, you will learn how to:
• Create an ActiveData asset and associate it with a visual test
• Create repetition logic that repeats selected steps a specified number of times, using different data for each
repetition
• Define how to use the ActiveData file in the visual test
• Define the steps to be repeated
• Map ActiveData in a data file to literal data in a visual test
In the previous lesson, you recorded a visual test that entered customer information for Pat Smith into the
customer database. Each time that visual test plays back, SilkTest Workbench uses the literal data values that
were captured during the initial recording.
In this lesson, you replace the literal data values used to input customer information for Pat Smith with
ActiveData, so that when SilkTest Workbench plays back the visual test, different customers contained in the
external file are used.
Before creating ActiveData for the visual test, review the ActiveData file.

Reviewing the ActiveData File
When creating an ActiveData asset, you can either select an existing data file or create a new file to contain
the data used by the asset. In this tutorial, you will use an existing file named customers.csv, a comma-separated
file containing customer information. This file is located in the Examples folder of your SilkTest Workbench
installation directory.
Each column of the customers.csv file corresponds to a field used to enter a customer into the database, with
the exception of the Age column, which will be used in a later lesson in this tutorial.
When using ActiveData for this test, SilkTest Workbench plays back the test and repeats the steps that enter
customer information, each time using data for a different customer, until each customer in the file is entered
into the database.
Tip: In the ActiveData file, password values are encoded text.
The ActiveData file contains the following columns:

• First Name
• Last Name
• Birthday
• Email Address
• Mailing Address
• City
• State
• Postal Code
• Password
• Age (used in a subsequent lesson)
Next, create the ActiveData test asset and associate it with the visual test.
Creating the ActiveData Test Asset

Before using a data file in ActiveData testing, you must create an ActiveData asset that uses the file, and then
associate the ActiveData asset with the visual test.
1. In the Recent list on the Start Screen, double-click the visual test named AddAccount to open it.
The AddAccount visual test opens in the Visual Navigator.
2. In the Test Steps pane, click Actions ➤ Insert ➤ ActiveData ➤ New.
The ActiveData asset setup window opens.
3. In the Name text box, name the ActiveData asset by typing customers.
4. Click Browse to search for the customers.csv file to associate with the AddAccount ActiveData asset.
The Choose ActiveData Asset dialog box opens.
5. Navigate to the sample file location and select the sample ActiveData file, customers.csv.
By default, the location is: C:\Program Files\Silk\SilkTest\examples\customers.csv.
6. Click Open.
The path and file name appear in the File text box of the General tab.
7. In the ActiveData asset setup window, click the Options tab.
8. Check the Use first row as header check box.

Tip: Click the Details tab to view the contents of the ActiveData file.
This setting treats the first row of data in the ActiveData file as a header row, not as data.
9. Click Save and close to create the ActiveData asset and associate it with the AddAccount visual test.
In a visual test, information about any associated ActiveData assets is stored in the Properties pane of the
<<Start>> step. To review each ActiveData asset associated with the visual test , select the <<Start>>
step and review the ActiveData property in the Properties pane.
Now that the ActiveData asset has been created and associated with the visual test, you are ready to create
the repetition logic that will use the active data in the test.
Creating Repetition Logic for ActiveData Files

In visual tests, ActiveData typically involves repeating a series of steps, and substituting literal data for ActiveData
for each repetition.
In this lesson, we will substitute the literal data that adds a customer to the database with data from the
ActiveData file customers.csv, which contains 10 customer records. For each repetition, data from a customer
record in the ActiveData file will be used to enter data in the fields on the Create a New Account page of the
InsuranceCo Web site.
1. Make sure the AddAccount visual test displays in the Visual Navigator.
2. Click Create Repetition Type Logic on the SilkTest Workbench toolbar.
The Test Logic Designer wizard appears with the Welcome page displayed.
3. Click Next.
The Select a Logic Type page opens.
4. Click Repeating a sequence of steps using data from an ActiveData file, and then click Next.
The Define the ActiveData asset to use page opens.
5. Since only one ActiveData asset (customers) has been associated with the visual test, it should appear in
the ActiveData asset list. If not, select it from the list.
6. In the Start row text box, leave the default value at 1.
7. Check the End at last row containing data check box.
8. Click Get all rows in sequence.
You have now defined how the data file will be used in the repetition logic, and how many repetitions will
occur.
• The first row of the Active data file will be used first when the repetition logic executes.
• The repeat will continue using each row until the last row is used.
• Since all rows of data will be used in the repetition logic in sequential order and there are 10 rows of
data in the ActiveData file, the steps to add a customer to the database will be repeated 10 times. For
each repetition, a different row of customer data from the ActiveData file will be used as input.
9. Click Next.
The Build the Repeat page opens.
Now that you have defined how the ActiveData will be used, you are ready to determine the steps in the visual
test that will be repeated.

Defining the Steps to Repeat
When determining the steps in repetition logic to repeat, consider all the actions that require repetition, not
just the steps where literal data is substituted.
For this lesson, there are several steps where literal data will be substituted, but the entire process of accessing
the Create a New Account page of the InsuranceCo Web site must be repeated in order for each customer
in the ActiveData file to be entered. Therefore, all steps in the actual test process must also be repeated,
including steps that access the page and return the test to the Home page.
1. In the Build the Repeat page, click the Do step link.

The Select Steps dialog box opens.
2. Select the step that begins interaction with the InsuranceCo Web site. This is the step immediately after
the <<Start>> step.
Because the visual test contains all the steps required in the process of adding a customer, all the steps
must be repeated.
3. Click OK.
The Select Steps dialog box closes and the text for the selected step appears in the Do step link.
4. In the Build the Repeat page, click the To step link.
The Select Steps dialog box opens.
5. Select the step that ends interaction with the InsuranceCo Web site. This is the step immediately before
the <<End>> step.
6. Click OK.
The Select Steps dialog box closes and the text for the selected step appears in the To step link.
7. Click Next.
The Summary page of the Test Logic Designer opens. This page displays the test logic you have defined
for the visual test.
8. Click Finish to insert the test logic into the test steps of your visual test.
In the visual test, SilkTest Workbench inserts a step after the <<Start>> step that starts the repetition
logic. The step text should be as follows:
Repeat using activedata 'customers'
SilkTest Workbench also inserts a step before the <<End>> step that ends the repetition logic. The step
text should be as follows:
End Repeat
All steps between the newly inserted repetition logic steps now appear as indented steps nested between
the repetition logic steps. The final part of using ActiveData in the visual test is to map data in the ActiveData
file to the literal data in the visual test.
Mapping ActiveData to Literal Data

Before a visual test can use data in an ActiveData file, data in the applicable test steps must be mapped to
use data in columns of an ActiveData file.
1. Select the first step in the visual test that enters data into a field.
This should be the step that enters 'Pat' into the First Name text box on the Create a New Account page
of the InsuranceCo Web site, as originally recorded in the visual test.

Properties for the step appear in the Properties pane.
2. In the Properties pane, in the Parameters category, select the keys parameter, which indicates the text
that was set to Pat.
3. Click Select in the value area and click ActiveData.
Tip: If customers is not in the list ActiveData asset list, it has not been associated with the visual
test.
The Select a Property, Variable, ActiveData or Edit a Literal dialog box opens. Use this dialog box to
map the data from the selected property in the test step to data from a column in the ActiveData file.
The ActiveData asset text box shows the ActiveData asset customers, which was associated with the
visual test. The column names from the customers ActiveData file display in the Columns list.
4. In the Columns list, select the First Name column.
This is the column in the file that contains first names, which you are mapping to substitute for the literal
data 'Pat'.
5. Click OK to close the dialog box and map the data. SilkTest Workbench replaces the actual data in the test
step with an expression that maps to the selected data in the ActiveData file. The existing step text:
Enter 'Pat'
now shows the name of the ActiveData asset, the type of data being substituted, and the column name:
Enter '[[customers].Text("First Name")]'
6. Repeat steps 1 through 5 for all other test steps containing data to be substituted with data in an ActiveData
file associated with the visual test. Start with the next step, which is the step containing the step text Enter
'Smith' text.
The following table shows:
• The text of each step in this visual test whose literal date is to be substituted with data from the ActiveData
file
• The name of the step property whose data is to be substituted
• The ActiveData column to select that contains the data that will be used in place of the literal data
Note: Steps updated using ActiveData that enter text into a password protected text box do not show
ActiveData information in the step text.
Step Text Property ActiveData Column
Enter 'Smith' Text Last Name

Enter 'smith@test.com' Text Email Address
Enter '1212 Test Way' Text Mailing Address
Enter 'San Diego' Text City
Select list box item 'California' List Box Item State
Enter '92121' Text Postal Code
Enter 'test' Text Password

Now that this visual test has been set up to use data from an ActiveData file, play it back and review the results.

Playing Back and Analyzing the ActiveData Visual Test
Now that the visual test that adds a customer has been enhanced to use customer records from an ActiveData
file, it can be played back. When the visual test plays back, the customer records from the ActiveData file will
actually be entered into the customer database.

2. In the Result description text box, type AddCustomers using ActiveData.
3. Click OK.
SilkTest Workbench plays back the enhanced test.
The Details tab displays the result of every step executed during playback. Use the scrollbar to scroll though
the executed steps.
There are more steps in the Test Steps pane of the Result window than there are actual steps in the visual
test. This is because each repetition includes its own set of executed steps.
Note: You can also use expressions to update the ActiveData in a visual test. The Expression Designer
enables you to use data from an ActiveData file column as input, and create an expression that changes
the value of the data. The updated data can then be saved back to the same column in the same ActiveData
file. For details, see Updating ActiveData in a Visual Test Using an Expression in the online help.
Playing Back Scripts From Visual Tests

Scripts and visual tests are similar in that both assets automate manual user actions such as selecting menu
items and entering data in a test application. The difference between these two assets is how the user actions
are represented in the asset. A script uses a scripting language, Microsoft's Visual Basic running in the Microsoft
.NET framework, whereas, a visual test uses steps generated by the point-and-click interface of the Visual
Navigator.
With either asset you can create powerful and flexible automated tests that run independently of each other.
The choice of asset is dependent on your needs and preferences. You can also use each asset in conjunction
with the other. For example, you can create a script that performs a specialized task, and then insert a step
in a visual test that plays back the script. In this way, you can leverage the power of the scripting language
used in scripts to supplement your visual tests.
When scripts are played back from a visual test, they are the equivalent of a function that you can call whenever
you need to perform a repetitive and specialized testing task. This approach is helpful in a team testing
environment, where an experienced tester can create a library of scripts that perform common testing functions
from which a novice developer can select from when creating a visual test.

Creating a Script to Generate Random Numbers
The first step is to create a script that generates a random number that you can use for the age of the user.

2. Select .NET Script from the asset types list, type function_randomAge in the Asset name text box and
click OK.
Tip: By naming your script "function" you can create an organized library of commonly used testing
tasks from which you can quickly select and insert into a visual test.
The script opens in the Code window.

3. Place your cursor on the line following Sub Main(), and type:
Dim rand As New Random()
Dim TSrandomAge As Integer = rand.Next(10000, 99999)
MsgBox(TSrandomAge)

5. Click OK.
A message box opens and displays a randomly generated number between 10,000 and 99,999.
6. Click OK.
7. Click Go to .NET Script.
8. Replace the numeric range parameters (10000, 99999) with the parameters MinVal and MaxVal. You can
use these two parameters to set the range of the random number from the visual test that plays back this
script instead of having to open the script and change the values. Type the following:
Dim TSrandomAge As Integer = rand.Next(MinVal, MaxVal)
9. To verify the script works properly, assign the parameters the following values after Sub Main():
Dim MinVal=16
Dim MaxVal=105
Your script should look like the following code:
Public Sub Main()
Dim MinVal=16
Dim MaxVal=105
MsgBox(TSrandomAge)
End Sub

11. Click OK.
A message box appears and displays a randomly generated number between 16 and 105.
12. Click OK.

13. Click Go to .NET Script.
14. To set the MinVal and MaxVal parameters using input parameters, perform the following steps:
a) Modify the Main() sub to include the input parameters that you want to create.
Public Sub Main(args As IDictionary(Of String, Object))
Dim MinVal=args ("AgeMin")
Dim MaxVal=args ("AgeMax")
where "AgeMin" and "AgeMax" are the names of the input parameters that we will create in the next
procedure.
b) Modify the Main() sub to include the output parameters that you want to create.
args ("VT_Age")=TSrandomAge
where "VT_Age" is the names of the output parameters that we will create in the next procedure.
c) Since the script will pass the age to the visual test, comment out the message box code by placing an
apostrophe in front of the statement.
'MsgBox(TSrandomAge)
The entire script should look like the following:

Public Module Main
Dim _desktop As Desktop = Agent.Desktop

Dim MinVal=args ("AgeMin")
Dim MaxVal=args ("AgeMax")
args ("VT_AgeTrying")=TSrandomAge
'MsgBox(TSrandomAge)
End Sub
End Module
Next, define the script input and output parameters used to pass the random age to the visual test.
Defining the Script Input Parameters

Scripts can receive data from a visual test in an input parameter, and, conversely, pass data to visual tests in
an output parameter. In this task, you will define two input parameters that set the range for the random number
created in the function_randomAge script.
1. In the Properties pane, right-click and choose Add Input Parameter.

The Add Script Input Parameter dialog box opens.
2. In the Name text box, type MinVal.
3. From the Type list, select Number (Double).
4. In the Default Value text box, type 16.
Optionally, you can set the default value in the visual test.
5. Click OK.
The input parameter displays in the list of input parameters in the Properties pane.
6. In the Properties pane, right-click and choose Add Input Parameter.

The Add Script Input Parameter dialog box opens.
7. In the Name text box, type MaxVal.
9. In the Default Value text box, type 105.
Optionally, you can set the default value in the visual test.
10. Click OK.
The input parameter displays in the list of input parameters in the Properties pane.
Defining the Script Output Parameters

Scripts can receive data from a visual test in an input parameter, and, conversely, pass data to visual tests in
an output parameter. In this task, you will define a parameter that passes the random number created in the
function_randomAge script to the visual test.
1. In the Properties pane, right-click and choose Add Output Parameter.

The Add Script Output Parameter dialog box opens.
2. In the Name text box, type TSrandomAge.
4. Leave the Default Value text box empty.
5. Click OK.
The output parameter displays in the list of output parameters in the Properties pane.
Define a local variable in the visual test to receive the output parameter.
Setting Up the Visual Test to Use Script Data

To set up a visual test to use script data, you must insert a step that plays back the script, create a local variable
to store the script data, and associate the local variable with the script output variable. Additionally, to pass
data from a visual test to a script, you must set the values of the script input variables.
1. Open the AutoQuote visual test.

2. Choose File ➤ Save As.
The Save As dialog box opens.
3. Since you will be modifying the AutoQuote visual test, rename it to AutoQuote_Modified to differentiate
it from the original test, and then click OK.
4. Select the step after the following step text:
Playback visual test 'AddAccount'
5. In the Test Steps pane, click Actions ➤ Insert ➤ .NET Script.

The Browse for .NET Script dialog box opens.
6. Select function_randomAge, and then click OK.
SilkTest Workbench inserts a step that plays back the script.
7. To add a local variable to store the script data, perform the following steps:
a) In the Test Steps pane, click Actions ➤ Insert ➤ Variable ➤ Add Local.
The Add Local Variable dialog box opens.
b) In the Variable name text box, type VTrandomAge.
c) From the Type list, select Number (Double) and leave the Initial value set to 0.
d) Click OK.

You can see the variable and edit its definition from the <<Start>> step.
8. Select the step for the script.
The step looks like:
Playback .NET Script 'function_randomAge'
9. In the Properties pane of the inserted script step, click in the value area of the Pass contents of
'TSrandomAge' into property and select the local variable VTrandomAge.
Since we added input parameters in the script, those values display in the Properties pane. However, you
can modify the input parameters used in the visual test by editing the values. These values are not changed
in the script.
Your visual test is now set up to use script data. Each time the AutoQuote_Modified visual test plays back, the
function_randomAge script is played back and passes a unique random number to the local variable,
VTrandomAge, in the visual test.
Now, modify the step that enters the age information to use the visual test local parameter containing the
random number generated in the function_randomAge script.
Using Script Data in the Visual Test

In this section of the lesson, you will modify the step that enters the age information to use the visual test local
parameter containing the random number generated in the function_randomAge script.
1. Select the step that enters data in the Age text box. The step text is as follows:
Enter '42'
2. In the Properties pane, select the Text property.

3. Click the Select button, and then select Variable.
The Select a Property, Variable, ActiveData or Edit a Literal dialog box opens.
4. Select VTrandomAge, and then click OK.
The step text displays as:
Enter '[VTrandomAge]'
This step will now enter the value of the VTrandomAge local variable in the Age text box.
Playing Back and Reviewing Test Results

2. In the Result description text box, type Adding Customers using data passed from a script.
3. Click OK.
SilkTest Workbench plays back the enhanced test and creates 10 new customers using the random number
passed from the script and the additional customer information you defined in the visual test.


Index
A O
ActiveData output parameters
creating assets 31 defining 38
data files 31
repetition logic 32, 33
reviewing data files 31
P
tutorial 30, 35 playback errors
debugging 27
E finding 26
fixing 29
enhancing visual tests overview 26
adding variables 22 reviewing 29
adding verifications 20 tracking variables 28
overview 20 playing back visual tests 13
playing back 23
updating from screen preview 20
errors
R
debugging 27 recording visual tests
finding 26 overview 9
fixing 29 reviewing 12
overview 26 sample application 10
reviewing 29 saving 11
repetition logic
G ActiveData 32, 33
result window
GUI overview 14
main screen 5 properties pane 18
overview 5 screen preview 19
start screen 6 tabs 17
visual navigator 8 toolbar 18
results
overview 14
I reviewing errors 29
input parameters
defining 37 S
sample application
L recording 10
local variables Screen Preview
adding 22 updating visual tests from 20
storing data 22 scripts
generating random numbers 36
input parameters 37
M output parameters 38
using with visual tests 38, 39
main screen 5 start screen 6
modular tests
inserting 26
overview 24 T
recording 25
test results
overview 14
Index | 41
test results (continued) verifications
properties pane 18 adding 20
screen preview 19 visual navigator 8
tabs 17 visual tests
toolbar 18 adding variables 22
window 14 adding verifications 20
tutorials enhancing 20
ActiveData 30, 35 inserting 26
generating random numbers 36 modular overview 24
playing back 39 naming 11
playing back 13, 23
recording 9, 10, 25
U reviewing 12
UI saving 11
overview 5 storing variables 22
updating 20
using with scripts 38, 39
V
variables W
adding 22
debugging 28 web application
storing data 22 starting 10
42 | Index

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SilkTest® Workbench

Getting Started with Visual Tests

Introducing the GUI

SilkTest Workbench Main Screen

Welcome to the SilkTest Workbench Visual Test Tutorial |5

6 | Welcome to the SilkTest Workbench Visual Test Tutorial

Welcome to the SilkTest Workbench Visual Test Tutorial |7

The four panes include:

8 | Welcome to the SilkTest Workbench Visual Test Tutorial

• When executing a Using step in a visual test, a snapshot of the result.

Recording a Visual Test: Introduction

Welcome to the SilkTest Workbench Visual Test Tutorial |9

Recording a Visual Test for the Sample Web Application

1. Choose File ➤ New.

10 | Welcome to the SilkTest Workbench Visual Test Tutorial

Saving and Naming the Visual Test

1. From the Recording Complete dialog box, click Save.

Welcome to the SilkTest Workbench Visual Test Tutorial | 11

Reviewing the Recorded Test Steps

12 | Welcome to the SilkTest Workbench Visual Test Tutorial

Steps Describes the action being taken for the step.

(Flag)* Displays the Assigned Flag icon.

Playing Back the Recorded Visual Test

1. Perform one of the following steps:

Welcome to the SilkTest Workbench Visual Test Tutorial | 13

Analyzing Results: Introduction

Result Window Overview

14 | Welcome to the SilkTest Workbench Visual Test Tutorial

Welcome to the SilkTest Workbench Visual Test Tutorial | 15

Result Window Tabs

• Passed tab: Displays all passed verifications.

Visual Navigator Panes

16 | Welcome to the SilkTest Workbench Visual Test Tutorial

Using the Result Window Tabs

1. Click Go to Result on the Playback Complete dialog box.

3. Select any step.

Welcome to the SilkTest Workbench Visual Test Tutorial | 17

1. Click Advanced View on the Results toolbar.

Using the Properties Pane

1. Click the step Enter '42'.

3. Expand the Extended properties node.

18 | Welcome to the SilkTest Workbench Visual Test Tutorial

Using the Screen Preview

2. In the Screen Preview, click Actions ➤ Show Differences ➤ Off.

Welcome to the SilkTest Workbench Visual Test Tutorial | 19

Updating From the Screen Preview

20 | Welcome to the SilkTest Workbench Visual Test Tutorial

13. After reviewing the verification, click Finish.

Welcome to the SilkTest Workbench Visual Test Tutorial | 21

Storing Application Data to the Local Variable

22 | Welcome to the SilkTest Workbench Visual Test Tutorial

Playing Back and Analyzing the Enhanced Visual Test

1. Perform one of the following steps:

Welcome to the SilkTest Workbench Visual Test Tutorial | 23

Executing a Visual Test Within a Visual Test: Introduction

24 | Welcome to the SilkTest Workbench Visual Test Tutorial

Recording the Second Visual Test

1. Choose File ➤ New.

First Name Pat