Flex applications testing process
The testing process is based on the tasks that Flex developers and testers perform. The process for automating functional tests of Flex applications differs, depending on the way developers create the application under test.
Automated testing of Flex applications requires you to load supporting files. These supporting files can be loaded in two different stages:
- At compile time for applications that are enabled for functional testing
- At run time for applications that are not enabled for functional testing
Prerequisites
To test Flex applications, verify that the following software is installed:
Development environment
- Adobe Flex SDK 2.0.1, 3.0, 3.2 , 3.3, 3.4, 3.5 or 4.0 and Adobe Flex automation framework
- Adobe Flex Builder
Test environment
- IBM Rational Functional Tester
- One of the following browsers:
- Mozilla Firefox 2.0, 3.0, 3.5 and 3.6
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0, 7.0, and 8.0
- Adobe Flash Player ActiveX control version 9.0.28.0 or later
Assumptions
These topics include the following assumptions regarding the testing of Flex applications:
- Testers are not skilled in developing Flex applications.
- Testers cannot access Flex source code, the Flex compiler, or Flex documentation.
- Flex developers do not know how to use IBM Rational Functional Tester.
The following diagram shows the typical flow of testing Flex applications:
Test Flex applications
The tasks that you perform in testing Flex applications depend on the application and whether you are a developer or a tester.
You can test applications that are enabled for IBM Rational Functional Tester or test applications that are not enabled for IBM Rational Functional Tester.
Test Rational Functional Tester enabled Flex applications
Developers can enable the Flex applications for testing by compiling the Flex application with IBM Rational Functional Tester agent (rft.swc for Flex 2.0, rftFlex3.0.swc and rftProp_Flex3.0.swc for Flex 3.0, Flex 3.2, Flex 3.3, Flex 3.4, Flex 3.5 or Flex 4.0) and Flex automation framework libraries. After compilation, the developer must create an HTML wrapper that embeds the enabled Flex application and provide the application on a Web server or on a local test computer for testing.
Advantages and limitations of testing Rational Functional Tester enabled Flex applications
Three advantages encourage enabling Flex applications for functional testing:
- Efficiency: Multiple enabled Flex applications can be embedded in a single HTML page and can be tested simultaneously.
- Ease: Testing is simplified when different Flex applications communicate with each other. All the related enabled Flex applications can be embedded in a single page and can be tested based on a single scenario.
- Location: Enabled Flex applications can be tested locally.
One limitation in testing enabled Flex applications is that only the developer can enable the Flex application for testing.
Test nonenabled Flex applications
Developers can enable the runtime loader component for Flex applications and deploy the application on a Web server for testing.
Advantages and limitations of testing non-enabled Flex applications
The advantages of testing Flex applications that are not enabled for functional testing:
- Ease: Testers benefit because many technical complexities are hidden.
- Efficiency: Load and test multiple SWF files.
Review the following limitations regarding nonenabled Flex applications:
- Deployment option: The Flex application can be deployed in a test or production environment.
- Location: The runtime loader cannot be run locally; deploy the runtime loader to a Web server.
- Set up the development environment for Flex applications
The developer must set up the development environment before enabling the Flex application for testing with IBM Rational Functional Tester.- Set up the test environment for testing Flex applications
A correct environment setup for testing Flex applications helps ensure reliable functional testing results. The test environment is typically set up by the testers on the test computer.- Test Rational Functional Tester enabled Flex applications
Developers can enable the Flex applications for testing by building the Flex application with IBM Rational Functional Tester agent and Flex automation framework libraries. After compilation, the developer must create an HTML wrapper that embeds the enabled Flex application and provide the application on a Web server or on a local test computer for testing.- Test Flex applications that are not enabled using Rational Functional Tester
Developers can enable the RuntimeLoading component for Flex applications and provide the application on a Web server for testing.Related tasks
Set up the development environment for Flex applications
Set up the test environment for testing Flex applications
Configure Flex application using the user interface
Configure Flex application using tools
Providing enabled Flex applications for testing
Test an enabled Flex application that is deployed on a Web server
Test enabled Flex applications on a local test computer
Configure the non-enabled Flex application