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Using Suites in Functional Tests

Chapter 4 - Implementing Tests

Add test scripts.

Test scripts are sets of instructions. Test scripts can be used to navigate the user
interface of an application to ensure all features work or to test the activities that
the application performs behind the interface.

Add suites to suites.

You can use suites as building blocks within suites.

Add test cases.

A test case is a testable and verifiable behavior in a target test system.

You can use suites in both performance and functional testing. Although the concepts
of a suite are the same in both types of testing, you will probably insert different suite
items and select different options, depending on whether you are running a
functional or a performance test. The next two sections give an overview about using
suites in functional and performance testing.

Using Suites in Functional Tests

When you use a suite for functional testing, start by setting up one computer group.
This computer group can run test cases or test scripts on designated computers. Only
one test script can run on one computer at a time. You can set up test scripts so that
they run on:

Specific computers that you assign beforehand.

Specific computers that you assign at runtime.

Any computer that is free to run a test script.

You may want to run a functional test on a specific computer. For example, your test
may be designed for a particular computer. Or your test may require specific
software, which is installed on a particular computer.

Conversely, you may want to distribute the test scripts in a functional test among
several computers. For example, your tests may not be designed for a specific
computer. You may want to run your tests on a group of computers, so that they can
complete as fast as possible.

Implementing a test as a suite enables you to accomplish each goal. For more
information about using suites in functional tests, see Creating Functional Testing Suites
on page 203.