Building and running automated test suites
Run a group of tests in a specific order to test an application or a group of related features.
A test suite can contain both individual tests and other test suites. A test suite that contains another test suite is called a parent, and the test suite contained within the parent is called a child. While a test suite can have both individual tests and test suites as children, tests cannot have other tests as children. Tests can only contain test steps.
Benefits
Grouping tests into test suites offers these benefits.
- Allows testers to run every test in a test suite with one action.
- Allows testers to run all child test suites in a parent test suite.
- Allows testers to see test results for every test in a test suite.
- Allows test designers and testers to schedule when to run test suites.
- Allows test designers and testers to schedule starting client test runners to support test runs.
Hierarchies
Automated Test Framework supports building a multi-level hierarchies where a test suite can be both a parent and child. For example, this figure illustrates Test Suite 1 as the parent at the top of the hierarchy. Test Suite 1.3 is a child of Test Suite 1 and also a parent of Test Suite 1.3.1 and Test Suite 1.3.2.
Diagram of example test suite hierarchy
Schedules
To schedule a test suite, you need three components:
- a test suite record
- a schedule record specifying when you want the system to run the test suite
- a scheduled suite run record that associates the test suite to run with the schedule for running it
With this model, you can associate a schedule with many different test suites, and vice versa.
Note: You can schedule only test suites, not individual tests. Scheduled tests will run only if there is an open Scheduled Client Test Runner page matching the scheduled suite's browser conditions. Scheduled tests cannot run on a machine that is locked, powered down, or does not already have the browser open.
The watchlist on the test suite run record also allows you to specify users to receive an email when the system finishes executing the test suite run.
If the test suite contains one or more form steps (steps involving a user interface), you must ensure that a scheduled client test runner is actively running in a browser when the schedule triggers the suite run.
Note: See Browser recommendations and requirements for recommendations and requirements for running the client test runner.
For step-by-step instructions on how to schedule a test suite, see Schedule an automated test suite.
Filters
Automate the creation of test suites by using a filter to dynamically add tests to a test suite when they match the filter conditions. Reduce the time that your test designers spend manually creating and maintaining test suites.
- Create an automated test suite
Group automated tests into a suite you can execute as a batch. - Copy an automated test suite
Reduce time when creating tests by copying an entire test suite. Rename and modify the test suite after copying. The Copy Test Suite button on the Test Suite form copies all the nested tests and child test suites within the text suite. - Add tests to a suite with a filter
Automate the creation of test suites by using a filter to dynamically add tests to a test suite when they match the filter conditions. Reduce the time that your test designers spend manually creating and maintaining test suites. - Add test to an existing automated test suite
Add a test to a test suite that already exists. - Add child test suite to parent test suite
Add to a multi-level test suite by including a child test suite within a parent test suite. - Run an automated test suite
After creating an automated test suite, run it in a non-production instance. - Schedule an automated test suite
Schedule one or more test suites to run at a specific date and time. - Run a scheduled test suite using a script
Execute a scheduled UI test suite immediately using a script without having to wait for the scheduled time. You can use this method while trying to automate the process of running a test. - Re-run failed tests in an automated test suite
Re-run failed tests within a test suite without rerunning the entire suite.
Parent Topic:Automated Test Framework (ATF) test building and execution
Related topics
Building and running automated tests with the Automated Test Framework