Automated test system for testing an application running in a windows-based environment and related methods

A method of testing an application that is operable to execute in multiple languages and platform configurations, the method comprising:

• storing a configuration table in a spread sheet format for ease of editing by a user having a plurality of user-defined configurations, each configuration comprising a collection of value sets corresponding to respective configuration item groups, each said value set being one of a plurality of possible value sets that are selectable in association with said respective item group, each said value set comprising a collection of one or more related configuration items and corresponding values for said related items, and said spread sheet being configured for allowing said user to simultaneously view in a tabular format said plurality of possible value sets that are selectable in association with each said configuration item group;
• writing a test script that executes differently based on which user-defined configuration is loaded from said table;
• loading a user-defined configuration from said configuration table prior to execution of said test script;
• and
• executing said test script in accordance with said configuration loaded from said configuration table wherein,
• in response to changing from a first value set to a second value set during execution of said test script:
• automatically deleting all configuration item values associated with said first value set;
• automatically reloading said configuration items with corresponding values associated with said second value set;
• and
• continue executing said test script using said configuration item values associated with said second value set.

A method performed by a test development computer storing and executing a test tool operable to communicate with a target device storing and executing a test agent to interrogate a particular Graphical User Interface (GUI) control that is associated with an application under test running on said target device, the method comprising:

• storing a first table that comprises a list of entries accessible by said test tool, each said entry containing information corresponding to a particular GUI control associated with said application under test, said information associated with said particular GUI control comprising:
• a user-defined name for uniquely referring to said control;
• a plurality of properties which define said control, including a class name that indicates a class type to which said control belongs;
• and
• a data field for optionally storing a control-specific identify flag to be used by said test tool for indicating to said test agent that a specific set of properties are to be used in identifying said control on said target device;
• and
• storing a second table that comprises a list of entries accessible by said test tool, each said entry containing information related to a particular class of GUI controls associated with said application under test, said information associated with each said particular class of GUI controls comprising:
• a class name for uniquely referring to said particular class of controls;
• and
• a default identify flag to be used by said test tool for indicating to said test agent that a default set of properties are to be used for identifying controls of said particular class of controls on said target device that do not have a control-specific identify flag associated with them, as defined in said first table.