Software system and methods for testing the functionality of a transactional server

A method for generating a test for testing the functionality of a transactional server, comprising:

• initiating a recording session through an interface of a testing tool;
• interacting with the transactional server during the recording session to record at least one business process;
• using information returned by the transactional server during the recording session to define at least one verification condition to be tested during execution of the test, wherein using information returned to define a verification condition comprises selecting an element of a captured server screen with a pointing device to cause a corresponding node of the node structure to become highlighted;
• viewing a hierarchical node structure which represents the test;
• and
• editing the node structure to modify the test.

A method for facilitating generation of a test for testing a transactional server, comprising:

• generating a test for testing the transactional server, the step of generating comprising recording user interactions with the transactional server and screens returned by the transactional server;
• displaying a node structure in which nodes represent corresponding steps of the test, at least some of the nodes corresponding to respective objects of captured screens;
• in response to user selection of a node which corresponds to an object of a captured screen, displaying the captured screen to the user with the object highlighted, to thereby visually indicate a correspondence between the object and a step of the test;
• and
• presenting the user an option to modify properties associated with the node to modify the step.

A computer-implemented method for facilitating the generation of an automated test for testing the functionality of a transactional server, comprising:

• recording an interactive user session with the transactional server during which a user performs steps of at least one transaction to be tested, wherein recording an interactive user session comprises capturing and displaying screens returned by the transactional server;
• recording at least one verification step specified by the user, the verification step specifying an expected server response to be tested during execution of the test;
• graphically representing the test on a display screen as a hierarchical node structure in which the transaction steps and the at least one verification step are represented as corresponding nodes, at least some of the nodes having properties that can be edited to modify the test;
• responding to user selection of an element of a captured screen by highlighting a node which corresponds to the element;
• providing a user interface through which the user can edit the node structure, including editing properties of nodes, to modify the test;
• and
• modifying the test in response to edits made to the node structure through the user interface;
• wherein the method enables users to generate and edit automated tests without the need to use a programming language.

A computer-implemented method for facilitating the generation of an automated test for testing the functionality of a transactional server, comprising:

• recording an interactive user session with the transactional server during which a user performs steps of at least one transaction to be tested;
• recording at least one verification step specified by the user, the verification step specifying an expected server response to be tested during execution of the test;
• graphically representing the test as a hierarchical node structure in which the transaction steps and the at least one verification step are represented as corresponding nodes, at least some of the nodes having properties that can be edited to modify the test;
• providing a user interface through which the user can edit the node structure, including editing properties of nodes, to modify the test;
• and
• modifying the test in response to edits made to the node structure through the user interface;
• wherein the method enables users to generate and edit automated tests without the need to use a programming language.