Auto conversion of tests between different functional testing tools

A method of converting from a current test script having application-specific statements and general statements that is capable of being run in conjunction with a current object map and current supporting data on a current test tool (CTT), to a new test script having application-specific statements and general statements that is capable of being run in conjunction with a new object map and new supporting data on a new test tool (NTT), the method comprising the steps of:

• a) inserting comment statements into the current test script to indicate a location of application-specific statements to create a commented script;
• b) playing back the commented script using the CTT causing objects to be created and modified, and actions on the objects to be performed, and messages to be sent to the NTT identifying which application-specific statements are encountered in the commented script,
• c) creating with the NTT, statements of a flat script which will mimic the actions performed by the CTT and current test script;
• d) monitoring, with the NTT when a comment has been encountered by the CTT, and placing the comment before the last created statement indicating a module name and line number of a script statement being run by the CTT which produced the comment;
• e) recording object information when the message is received from the CTT;
• f) creating a new object map from the object information recorded;
• g) translating the commented script from a language of said CTT into a language compatible with the NTT, to create a converted script having application-specific statements identified by comments and general statements;
• h) identifying a first set of application-specific statements from the converted script which correspond to a second set of application-specific statements in the flat script;
• and
• i) replacing the first set of application-specific statements in the converted script with the corresponding second set of application-specific statements from the flat script to result in a merged script which may be run with the new object map and supporting the NTT with some modification.

A system for translating a commented script for a current software functional test tool (CTT) into a test script for a new software functional testing tool (NTT) comprising:

• a) a graphic user interface (GUI) for interacting with a user to define input to the system and for displaying information back to the user;
• and
• b) a conversion tool in communication with the GUI, said CTT and said NTT adapted to:
• i. cause said CTT to run the commented script to create and modify objects and provide stimuli to the GUI (GUI actions) which in turn provides input to an application under test (AUT), and to perform verification point (VP) checks, and
• ii. cause said NTT to monitor and record the GUI actions, the VP checks, object definitions, object states, and create new GUI statements and new VP statements which, when played back by said NTT perform the GUI actions and VP checks;
• c) a translator functioning to receive the commented script and to provide the converted script in a different language;
• and
• d) an intelligent merge device coupled to the translator and adapted to:
• i. receive the converted script and the new GUI statements and the new VP statements,
• ii. identify corresponding statements of each received new GUI statement and new VP statement in the converted script, and
• iii. replace the corresponding statements in the converted script with the received new GUI statements and VP statements.

A method of providing a service for converting a current test script intended for use in a current test tool (CTT), to a script intended for use in a new test tool (NTT), the service comprising:

• a) providing the CTT capable of playing back actions of said current test script in a playback mode;
• b) providing the NTT capable of recording actions and for creating a test script from the recorded actions;
• c) providing a communication channel between the CTT and the NTT;
• d) starting the CTT in the playback mode, causing the CTT to produce actions, create objects and modify objects;
• e) starting the NTT in a record mode, causing the NTT to record actions provided to the NTT, object definitions of objects created, and object states of objects modified;
• and
• f) providing the actions produced by the CTT to the NTT, providing indications of objects created by the CTT to the NTT and providing indications of objects modified by the CTT to the NTT through the communication channel, thereby causing the NTT to record provided actions and indications of objects created and modified and result in a recorded script having functionality similar to that of the current test script.

A computer program product, comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for converting a current test script intended for use in a current test tool (CTT), to a script intended for use in a new test tool (NTT), said computer readable program code including an algorithm adapted to:

• a) providing a CTT capable of playing back actions of said current test script in a playback mode;
• b) providing an NTT capable of recording the actions played back by the CTT and for creating a test script from the recorded actions;
• c) providing a communication channel between the CTT and the NTT;
• d) starting the CTT in the playback mode, causing it to produce actions, create objects and modify objects;
• e) starting the NTT in a record mode, causing it to record actions provided to it, object definitions of objects created and object states of objects modified;
• and
• f) providing the actions produced by the CTT to the NTT, providing indications of objects created by the CTT to the NTT, and providing indications of objects modified by the CTT to the NTT through the communication channel, thereby causing the NTT to record provided actions and indications of objects created and modified and result in a recorded script having functionality similar to that of the current test script.