Overview
CSTP® Advanced - Test Automation Stream comprises Modules 4, 5 and 7 of the CSTP Advanced Programme®.It is delivered by way of both theoretical and practical sessions with topics including:
- Module 4 - Scripting & Data Generation
- Module 5 – Test Automation
- Module 7 – Code and Unit Testing
In detail, the CSTP Advanced Test Automation Stream will examine the use of scripting languages and their application in testing to provide quick and powerful means for generating bulk data for test inputs and for extracting and comparing test outputs against expected results. We focus on the basic concepts of using Visual Basic, Perl, SQL, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access, applied to the practice of software testing.
There are many opportunities to improve testing through developers undertaking tests prior to handover to independent testers who work at the integration, system and acceptance levels. This ultimately speeds up the testing process, and has other advantages where code can be more thoroughly tested at the lower level. This module examines the implementation and impact of test automation at the code and unit stage, including the use of code level test design techniques such as "white box testing" and the implementation of harnesses and stubs.
Outcomes
At the end of this module you will have a clear understanding of the following three key areas:
Common Test Automation Techniques:
- Capture/playback
- Scripted testing
- Data driven
- Action words
Scripting Applications in Testing:
- Microsoft Excel to Manage Test Data
- Batch Scripting Fundamentals
- Visual Basic Scripting Fundamentals
- Perl Scripting Fundamentals
- Introduction to SQL (using Microsoft Access)
Code and Unit Testing:
- Code level testing issues
- Test design techniques at the code level (i.e. white-box test techniques)
- Implementing test harnesses and stubs
- Test automation
Practical Exercises:
- Capture Playback Test Tools - Participants will have hands on experience with recording tests of different features of applications using commercial test tools
- Structured Test Automation - This prac will look at ways of structuring test scripts to be more maintainable and reusable. Participants will build up test libraries that can be integrated to build tests suites.
- Data Driven and Action Word Approaches - These approaches are aimed at parameterising test suites to achieve very high levels of reuse and to minimise maintenance. It also has the benefit of incorporating non-technical testers into test automation without the need to understand the complex test scripting languages.
- Scripting - Test Data Generation - This prac will look at other scripting approaches that can be used to undertake automated testing without using or augmenting commercial testing frameworks.
- Scripting for execution and analysis - This practical session setups data for a load test. The load test is executed and test results and performance data is collected. The participants must analyse the collected data through producing summaries and plotting graphs in Excel.
- Implementing Harnesses and Stubs - This practical session will provide a hands-on exercise in building harnesses and stubs for components written in Java. Participants will use the JUnit framework to build tests.
- Code Coverage Participants will analyse the code tested by the previous prac's test harnesses and stubs and determine where code has not been covered by test cases. The harnesses and stubs should be extended to include additional cases to achieve full coverage.
