UFT (Unified Functional Testing) is a popular automation testing tool used by software testers and developers to automate the testing of various applications. UFT provides a scripting interface that allows testers to write scripts to perform automated actions on applications and verify their functionality. This article will provide an in-depth overview of UFT scripting and its key features.
What is UFT Scripting?
UFT scripting refers to the process of writing scripts using UFT’s scripting interface. These scripts are written in a language called VBScript (Visual Basic Scripting Edition), which is a lightweight scripting language developed by Microsoft.
VBSript, the language used for UFT scripting, is easy to learn and has a syntax similar to other programming languages like Visual Basic. It provides a wide range of features and functions that allow testers to automate complex testing scenarios.
Why Use UFT Scripting?
There are several reasons why software testers choose to use UFT scripting for test automation:
- Flexibility: UFT scripting offers immense flexibility as it allows testers to write custom code to handle complex scenarios that cannot be achieved through the standard UFT features or recording capabilities.
- Reusability: Scripts written in UFT can be reused across different projects, saving time and effort in script development.
- Data-driven Testing: UFT supports data-driven testing, where data from external sources such as Excel files or databases can be easily integrated into test scripts, allowing for more comprehensive test coverage.
- Error Handling: With VBScript’s error handling mechanisms, testers can handle and report errors efficiently during test execution.
Key Features of UFT Scripting:
UFT scripting provides several key features that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of test automation:
- Object Identification: UFT allows testers to identify and interact with various objects within an application, such as buttons, text fields, dropdowns, etc. This enables testers to perform actions on these objects and verify their properties or values.
- Data-driven Testing: As mentioned earlier, UFT supports data-driven testing, allowing testers to parameterize their scripts and execute them with different sets of test data.
- Conditional Statements: Testers can incorporate conditional statements such as if-else and switch-case in their UFT scripts to handle different scenarios based on specific conditions.
- Looping Structures: UFT scripting supports looping structures like for-next and do-while, enabling testers to repeat a set of actions multiple times.
- Error Handling: VBScript provides robust error handling mechanisms that allow testers to handle exceptions during script execution gracefully.
Getting Started with UFT Scripting:
If you are new to UFT scripting, here are a few steps to get started:
- Install UFT: Download and install the latest version of UFT from the official Micro Focus website.
- Create a New Test: Launch UFT and create a new test by selecting “File” > “New” > “Test” from the menu. Give your test a meaningful name.
- Add Objects: Identify the objects within your application that you want to automate.
Add them as test objects in UFT.
- Write Scripts: Start writing your UFT scripts using VBScript. Use UFT’s object repository to interact with the test objects and perform actions on them.
- Execute and Debug: Execute your scripts and use UFT’s debugging capabilities to identify and fix any issues that arise during execution.
Conclusion:
UFT scripting is a powerful automation testing technique that allows testers to write custom scripts to automate application testing. With its flexibility, reusability, and extensive set of features, UFT scripting provides a robust platform for efficient test automation. By leveraging the capabilities of VBScript, testers can create comprehensive test scripts that handle complex scenarios and ensure the quality of their applications.
So, if you are looking to enhance your testing efforts and improve efficiency, give UFT scripting a try!