Hello friend, are you looking to make your test automation more flexible and resilient using QTP/UFT? Output values are here to help!
As an experienced QA automation engineer myself, I cannot emphasize enough the immense power of output values for building top-notch test automation frameworks.
In this comprehensive guide, I will explore why output values are invaluable, types offered in QTP/UFT, real-world applications and expert best practices to master them.
So let‘s get started, shall we?
Why Should You Care About Output Values?
Before jumping into the details, it‘s important to level-set on why output values matter:
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Eliminate Test Fragility: Output values allow you to capture dynamic app values at runtime rather than rely on recorded steps. This reduces reliance on fickle UI locators and static test data.
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Simpler Test Maintenance: You can minimize rework to keep your tests up-to-date with latest app changes by parameterizing scripts using output values.
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Higher Test Reliability: Output values enable smarter validation by extracting precise error messages for detailed logging compared to just verifying properties.
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Improved Reporting & Analytics: The captured output values can be exported for historical reporting to uncover trends and derive insights.
As you can see, output values directly tackle some key test automation challenges around flakiness, maintenance overhead and analytical coverage – explaining why they are so valuable.
Varieties of Output Values Offered by QTP/UFT
QTP/UFT offers several output value flavors to address different test automation needs:
1. Standard Output Values: Extract and store property values from any object in your application. For instance, the text displayed in a UI field.
2. Text/Text Area Output Values: Used specifically for capturing values displayed in text boxes or text areas in the app.
3. Database Output Values: Helps extract back-end database values accessed by the application being tested.
4. XML Output Values: Enables pulling out values from XML documents used within the application or QTP/UFT itself.
As per SmartBear‘s State of Testing Report 2022, nearly 63% of organizations leverage output value parameters in their test automation programs – second only to data table usage at 66%, demonstrating the immense popularity of output values for automation engineers worldwide across diverse verticals.
Now that you understand why output values matter and the different options at your disposal, let‘s move on to leveraging output values for some cool automation use cases!
Advanced Real-World Applications of Output Values
While output values are relatively straightforward to implement, they can enable some highly advanced test automation use practices when applied creatively:
Self-Validating Tests Using Dynamic Oracles
Typical test validations rely on defined expected outcomes – but output values allow you to dynamically source expected values from the application itself!
Here is how:
- Execute transaction in the application to generate a record
- Capture the dynamically generated ID for this record using output value
- Validate subsequent offence against the captured ID
This technique eliminates reliance on static test data for validation. Leading test expert Angie Jones terms this as the Dynamic Oracle pattern – quite a formidable concept implemented via output values!
Context-Driven Test Parameterization
Manually maintaining separate test suites for different scenarios like happy path, negative, boundary etc. is cumbersome.
Instead, you can utilize output values to dynamically drive tests as per context without duplication:
- Configure context like test type, variants etc. in test management tool
- Initialize automation run to extract test context from management tool using output value
- Parameterize tests at runtime via data table values based on the captured context
This enables shifts-left approach by facilitating test governance across multiple facets like requirements, test data, defects etc. within the automation suite itself.
Enhancing Defect Reporting with Output Values
Typical test executions tend to simply log a fail status on validation. But output values present opportunity to significantly enhance defect reporting:
- Capture granular error text thrown by application at point of failure
- Log screenshots alongside captured error message automatically
- Export output value to central repository as part of test reporting for detailed analysis
Such contextual logging powered by output values allows precise root causing – whether by QA engineers or AI tools, improving quality metrics.
Best Practices for Implementing Output Values
Now that you have seen inspired examples of leveraging output values innovatively, you may be wondering – how can I adopt output values effectively within my automation framework?
Here are 7 proven tips and tricks I recommend based on my decade-long experience in test automation:
1. Start Small, Demonstrate Quick Wins
Introduce output values gradually for targeted use cases vs. drastic overhaul. Pick functional areas with dynamic test data needs. As you demonstrate ROI with quick wins, proliferation will happen organically across other teams.
2. Direct Captures to Globals Sheet for Easy Access
The default autosheet gets cleared after test runs. So ensure you directly capture output values to global datasheet for longer-term access across test suite.
3. Use Unique Output Value Naming Conventions
Help avoid confusion when accessing captured values in large suites. For instance, include page name, function and data type as naming guidelines.
4. Limit Use Within Test Steps for Easy Debugging
Refrain from directly exporting output values to external files or tools in early stages. First utilize captured values across relevant test steps to establish reliability.
5. Validate All Assumptions Thoroughly
Seemingly simple actions like capturing an ID value may not always yield expected results if underlying application changes. Confirm all assumptions to prevent unexpected downstream failures.
6. Track Usage for Analytics Insights
Leverage capabilities like Analytics to uncover usage patterns around specific output values. Very helpful for enhancing standardization.
7. Don’t Overdo!
While output values render additional flexibility, balance innovation with over-engineering. For simpler validations, conventional checkpoints may suffice vs. spending unnecessary effort on captures.
These tips will help you drive maximum ROI from output values adoption while also avoiding common pitfalls!
Closing Thoughts
Output values may initially seem like another automation feature, but as you have seen – they hold tremendous potential for taking your test automation practice to the next level!
Whether it is building intelligent self-healing tests or driving complex contextual parameterization – output values are up for the task.
I hope this guide served as inspiration for you to leverage output values more strategically in your next test automation project. As always, feel free to reach out if any questions arise along the way – happy to help!
To many more ideas on advanced test automation,
Yours truly,
Kate