Topic: interview questions on silktest

What is SilkTest ?

SilkTest is a software testing automation tool developed by Segue Software, Inc.

What is the Segue Testing Methodology ?

Segue testing methodology is a six-phase testing process:
1. Plan - Determine the testing strategy and define specific test requirements.
2. Capture - Classify the GUI objects in your application and build a framework for running your tests.
3. Create - Create automated, reusable tests. Use recording and/ or programming to build test scripts written in Segue's 4Test language.
4. Run - Select specific tests and execute them against the AUT.
5. Report - Analyze test results and generate defect reports.
6. Track - Track defects in the AUT and perform regression testing.

What are component of Silk test ?

SilkTest Host & SilkTest Agent

What is SilkTest Host ?

SilkTest Host is a SilkTest component that manages and executes test scripts. SilkTest Host usually runs on a separate machine different than the machine where AUT (Application Under Test) is running.

What is SilkTest Agent ?

SilkTest Agent is a SilkTest component that receives testing commands from the SilkTest Host and interacts with AUT (Application Under Test) directly. SilkTest Agent usually runs on the same machine where AUT is running.

What is 4Test ?

4Test is a test scripting language used by SilkTest to compose test scripts to perform automated tests. 4Test is an object-oriented fourth-generation language. It consists of 3 sets of functionalities:

1. A robust library of object-oriented classes and methods that specify how a testcase can interact with an application’s GUI objects.
2. A set of statements, operators and data types that you use to introduce structure and logic to a recorded testcase.
3. A library of built-in functions for performing common support tasks.

How to import Xl sheet or XLSheet data in Silk Tool 2006 R2
Use this code to import excel data. You can find the same example in silk test help also.

[+] testcase DBColumnsExample () appstate none
  [ ] // Retrieve all columns beginning with the letter 'i' (or 'I') for all tables
  [ ] // beginning with the letter 'p' (or 'P').
  [ ] // Assume that hdbc is a valid database handle returned from DB_Connect().
  [ ] STRING cat, sch, tbl, col, ignore, table, column, dtype
  [ ]
  [ ] tbl = "p%"
  [ ] cat = NULL
  [ ] sch = NULL
  [ ] col = "i%"
  [ ]
 [-] HDATABASE hdbc
  [ ] HSQL hstmnt
  [ ]
 [ ]
 [-] hdbc = DB_Connect("DSN=<DSNNAME>")
  [ ]
  [ ] hstmnt = DB_Columns (hdbc, cat, sch, tbl, col)
  [ ]
  [ ] // retrieve and print only column name and type; ignore the rest.
  [-] while(DB_FetchNext (hstmnt, ignore, ignore, table, column, ignore, dtype)== TRUE)
   [ ]  Print ("({dtype}) {table}.{column}")
  [ ] DB_FinishSql (hstmnt)
  [ ]
  [ ] DB_Disconnect (hdbc)

RE: Why will the control Not come out of Silk Test after invoking an Application exe with Sys_execute() function
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Find the Functionality of SYS_Execute below.

1) Do not use SYS_Execute to execute .reg files; use the Start command instead. SYS_Execute was designed to execute commands that do not require user input and that terminate almost immediately after  it has been executed. SilkTest waits for any command that brings up a process requiring user input.
 
For example: SYS_Execute  ("freecell.exe") starts Freecell in an invisible window and SilkTest  does not continue until the Freecell process is terminated. On the other hand, SYS_Execute("start freecell.exe") starts Freecell in a visible window, and still SilkTest does not continue until the Freecell process is terminated

RE: Silktest Objects with same Caption
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1) The single Window/Frame can have Same Caption, but there is no chance of same Index .
                                    or
2) If Object has same caption/Index, Record that Object by setting BorderLessTable as 1 which identifies the Object in depth.
                                    or
3) Recognize the object by location.

RE: How does recovery sytem works in Silk Test? Please...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Recovery System Creates a base state for your application,silktest restores the Application under test to the base state when u run the testcase,when an error occurs or while running multiple testcases in a script.

Reraise function raises the same exception which is the most recently raised.

The Extensions of the file in which we store declarations is .inc

RE: How we can make a Data Base connectvity for a appl...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
There are 6 commands:

DB_Connect()

DB_Disconnect()

DB_ExecuteSQL()

DB_FinishSQL()

DB_FetchNext()

DB_FetchPrevious()
 
RE: How we can make a Data Base connectvity for a appl...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
// This test uses the functions in DBTester
// to directly access an ODBC database
INTEGER id, iheadID
STRING sDeptName
HDATABASE hdbc
HSQL hstmnt
// connect to SQL 2000 Server Test DB
hdbc = DB_Connect ("DSN=mysql;SRVR=192.168.163.1;PWD=;UID=root")
// retrieve info from Department table
hstmnt = DB_ExecuteSql (hdbc, "SELECT * FROM kurumlar")
// process the information that came back
while( DB_FetchNext(hstmnt, id, adi) )
   print("Id: {id} kurum: {adi}")

DB_Disconnect (hdbc)
 
RE: How we can make a Data Base connectvity for a appl...
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[-] SearchText1(int i, int w optional)
 [ ] HANDLE hSQL
 [ ] HANDLE hDB
 [ ] // String iRowReference1=[String]i
 [ ] hDB = DB_Connect(sDataSourceIOFilePath)
 [ ] // hSQL = DB_ExecuteSQL (hDB,"SELECT FindWhat, Replace FROM InputReplaceData WHERE Set LIKE '"+ iRowReference1 + "'") Â
 [ ] hSQL = DB_ExecuteSQL (hDB,"SELECT FindWhat, Replace FROM ReplaceData ") // WHERE Set LIKE '" + iRowReference1 + "'") Â
 [ ]
 [-] while(DB_FetchNext(hSQL,ReplaceData))
  [ ] WordPad.SetActive()
  [ ] WordPad.Edit.Replace.Pick()
  [ ] Sleep(1)
  [ ] Print(" test is pass")
  [ ] Replace.FindWhat.SetText(ReplaceData.FindWhat)
  [ ] sleep(1)
  [ ] Replace.FindNext.Click()
  [ ] Sleep(1)
  [ ] Print("The Searched Data is =", ReplaceData.FindWhat)
  [ ] Sleep(1)
  [ ] Replace.ReplaceWith.SetText(ReplaceData.Replace)
  [ ] Sleep(1)
  [ ] Replace.Replace.Click()
  [ ] Sleep(1)
  [ ] WordPad3.SetActive()
  [ ] WordPad3.OK.Click()
  [ ] Sleep(1)
  [ ] Replace.Cancel.Click()
 [ ] DB_FinishSql(hSQL)
 [ ] DB_Disconnect(hDB

RE: What is difference in silk test and winrunner on t...
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winrunner uses TSL where as SilkTest Uses 4T Script.

SilkTest Execution Time is Faster Than WunRunner and QTP.

SilkTest is a File wise Running Process where as WinRunner Script wise Running.(As a file SilkTest Script runs where as WinRunner Runs on Script Basis).
 
1. SilkTest derives its initial startup configuration settings from its partner.ini file.
WinRunner derives its initial startup configuration from a wrun.ini file of settings.

2. SilkTest provides a built-in recovery system which restores the application to a stable state, referred to as the basestate, when the test or application under test fails ungracefully. WinRunner does not provide a built-in recovery system.

3. SilkTest provides a strongly typed, object-oriented programming language called 4Test. WinRunner provides a C-like procedural programming language called TSL.

4. SilkTest has a built-in facility SilkOrganizer for creating a testplan and then linking the testplan to testcases. WinRunner integrates with a separate program called TestDirector for creating a test project and then linking WinRunner testcases into that project.

RE: What is difference in silk test and winrunner on t...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
1. SilkTest derives its initial startup configuration settings from its partner.ini file. WinRunner derives its initial startup configuration from a wrun.ini file of settings.

2. SilkTest provides a built-in recovery system which restores the application to a stable state,referred to as the basestate, when the test or application under test fails ungracefully. WinRunner does not provide a built-in recovery system.

3. SilkTest provides a strongly typed, object-oriented programming language called 4Test. WinRunner provides a non-typed, C-like procedural programming language called TSL.

4. SilkTest has a built-in facility, SilkOrganizer, for creating a testplan and then linking the testplan to testcases. WinRunner integrates with a separate program called TestDirector [at a substantial additional cost], for visually creating a test project and then linking WinRunner testcases into that project

4.script language for login window ,
additional advantages of silk test than winrunner and other tools,
frame work for silk test
Test language is userfriendly and if you are having good knowlege in object oriented concept then you will be enjoying using silk test.

Additional Adv:
It has a built in recovery system which you can customize according your need. Then writing scripts,debugging is simpler than other tools i think. It is very good tool to use.

How many components are there in Silk Test?
There are two Components in the Silk Test.
Silk Test Host Software
Silk Test Agent

1. What is SilkTest?

SilkTest is a software testing automation tool developed by Segue Software, Inc.

 

2. What is the Segue Testing Methodology?

Segue testing methodology is a six-phase testing process:

Plan - Determine the testing strategy and define specific test requirements.
Capture - Classify the GUI objects in your application and build a framework for running your tests.
Create - Create automated, reusable tests. Use recording and/ or programming to build test scripts written in Segue's 4Test language.
Run - Select specific tests and execute them against the AUT.
Report - Analyze test results and generate defect reports.
Track - Track defects in the AUT and perform regression testing.

3. What is SilkTest Host?

SilkTest Host is a SilkTest component that manages and executes test scripts. SilkTest Host usually runs on a separate machine different than the machine where AUT (Application Under Test) is running.

 

4. What is SilkTest Agent?

SilkTest Agent is a SilkTest component that receives testing commands from the SilkTest Host and interacts with AUT (Application Under Test) directly. SilkTest Agent usually runs on the same machine where AUT is running.

 

5. What is 4Test?

4Test is a test scripting language used by SilkTest to compose test scripts to perform automated tests. 4Test is an object-oriented fourth-generation language. It consists of 3 sets of functionalities:

A robust library of object-oriented classes and methods that specify how a testcase can interact with an application’s GUI objects.
A set of statements, operators and data types that you use to introduce structure and logic to a recorded testcase.
A library of built-in functions for performing common support tasks.

6. What is the DOM browser extension?

Document Object Model (DOM) browser extension is a SilkTest add-on component for testing Web applications. DOM browser extension communicates directly with the Web browser to recognize, categorize and manipulate objects on a Web page. It does this by working with the actual HTML code, rather than relying on the visual pattern recognition techniques currently employed by the Virtual Object (VO) extension.

 

7. What is the VO browser extension?

Virtual Object (VO) browser extension is a SilkTest add-on component for testing Web applications. VO browser extersion uses sophisticated pattern recognition techniques to identify browser-rendered objects. The VO extension sees Web pages as they appear visually; it does not read or recognize HTML tags in the Web application code. Instead, the VO extension sees the objects in a Web page; for example, links, tables, images and compound controls the way that you do, regardless of the technology behind them.

 

8. Is there any problem in using scripts created on v6.0 to 6.5 or higher versions?

Moving from lower to higher version should not be a problem....
This is a general statement and cannot be true at all instances.
I faced problems with scripts working in 6.5 not running in 7.0 because some of the recognition patterns used each changed. And in some situations, finally landed two paths of the script to perform same action based on version.
PS: Did not encounter any problems from 6.0 to 6.5.

8. I have recently encounterd a problem using Silk Test V3. When I record selecting a Menu Item it correctly records eg. Product.File.Exit.Pick()
But when I play it back it just selects the File Menu and fails to select Exit. The File Menu is not dropped, it is just highlighted.
The application is written in Visual C++ and is running on NT 4.
A couple if the menu items to work but that is about 2 out of 15 items. I can work around the problem using the menu short cut keys but would prefer to be simulating using the mouse in some test cases. Any ideas?

I have run into this problem before and it turned out to be a focus problem in the AUT. First, we need to understand how QAP/Silk selects menu items. It doesn't really use the mouse. It uses the key to highlight the menu bar and then arrows to the desired menu item. Try something out: Drive your application to the state before the menu selection. Now manually type F-10 or Alt and see if the menu highlights and allows you to arrow to the menu item. I'm guessing that it is probably a ChildWin or DialogBox that is really holding the focus and not passing the keyboard events to the MainWin. If this is the case, you need to explain to the developers that they need to enable this so that you can continue with your automated testing. A trick around this problem is to do a YourProduct.Click () to force the focus to the MainWin and then do the menu selection (YourProduct.File.Exit.Pick())

 

9. What is SilkTest project?

A SilkTest project is a collection of files that contains required information about a test project.

 

10. How to create a new SilkTest project?

Run SilkTest.
Select Basic Workflow bar.
Click Open Project on the Workflow bar.
Select New Project.
Double click Create Project icon in the New Project dialog box
One the Create Project dialog box, enter your project name, and your project description.
Click OK.
SilkTest will create a new subdirectory under SilkTest project directory, and save all files related to the new project under that subdirectory.

 

11. Is There any function for word count of web page is available in the SilkTest??

You can use Clipboard functions. Get All the contents by Ctrl+a & ctrl+C. Then parse the List of sting ...

 

12. What is a SilkTest Testplan?

The SilkTest testplan is an outline that provides a framework for the software testing process and serves as the point of control for organizing and managing your test requirements. A testplan consists of two distinct parts: an outline, which is a formatted description of the test requirements, and statements, which are used to connect the testplan to SilkTest scripts and testcases that implement the test requirements.

 

13. What's the best way to create a new test script?

In Automation; creating test scripts involves basically two step:
1. Creating Test Data for all test cases.
2. Writing scripts for automating the test cases.

The first steps, is the outcome of analysis of what all data is required for all of your testcases to be executed. These all should be collected and scripts to be written so that TEST DATA is ready.
The second steps, is basically the test case execution steps automation.

 

14. How to get button caption?

Answer1:
Use GetCaption () method......

Answer2:
Either use "sCaption" Property or "GetCaption" Method
Syntax - ControlName.sCaption
or use GetCaption () Method
Syntax - ControlName.GetCaption ()

What is SilkTest project ?

A SilkTest project is a collection of files that contains required information about a test project.

How to create a new SilkTest project ?

1. Run SilkTest.
2. Select Basic Workflow bar.
3. Click Open Project on the Workflow bar.
4. Select New Project.
5. Double click Create Project icon in the New Project dialog box
6. One the Create Project dialog box, enter your project name, and your project description.
7. Click OK.
8. SilkTest will create a new subdirectory under SilkTest project directory, and save all files related to the new project under that subdirectory.

Is There any function for word count of web page is available in the SilkTest ?

You can use Clipboard functions. Get All the contents by Ctrl+A & Ctrl+C. Then parse the List of sting ...

How to get button caption ?

Use GetCaption () method...... (or)

Either use "sCaption" Property or "GetCaption" Method
Syntax - ControlName.sCaption
or use GetCaption () Method
Syntax - ControlName.GetCaption ()

What are testplan attributes ?

Testplan attributes are user defined characteristics to be associated with test group descriptions and/or test descriptions. You search, identify, and/or report test cases based on values of the different attributes.

What are the default testplan attributes ?

SilkTest offers you 3 predefined default attributes:

1. Category: The type of testcase or group of testcases. For example, you can use this attributes to categorize your test groups as "Boundary value tests", "Navagation tests", etc.
2. Component: The name of the application modules to be tested.
3. Developer: The name of the QA engineer assigned to develop the testcase or group of testcases.

What are the types of text lines in a testplan file ?

A testplan file contains text lines. There are 5 types of text lines in a testplan file:
1. Comment - Marked in green color: Providing commentary information.
2. Group descriptiton - Marked in black color: Providing descriptions for groups of tests. Tests in a testplan can be grouped into multiple levels of groups.
3. Test description - Marked in blue color: Providing descriptions for individual test.
4. Testplan statement - Marked in dark red color: Providing relations to link scripts, testcases, test data, closed sub testplans or an include file to the testplan.
5. Open subplan file marker - Marked in magenda color: Providing relations to link sub testplans to be included in a master testplan.

What are testplan attributes ?

Testplan attributes are user defined characteristics to be associated with test group descriptions and/or test descriptions. You search, identify, and/or report test cases based on values of the different attributes.

What are the default testplan attributes ?

SilkTest offers you 3 predefined default attributes:
1. Category: The type of testcase or group of testcases. For example, you can use this attributes to categorize your test groups as "Boundary value tests", "Navagation tests", etc.
2. Component: The name of the application modules to be tested.
3. Developer: The name of the QA engineer assigned to develop the testcase or group of testcases.

How to maintain recovery system ?
In your TestCaseExit () function you can incorporate like
If condition == 1
do this
If condition == 2
do that

How to define new testplan attributes ?

1. Make sure your test project is open.
2. Click Testplan/Define Attributes menu. The Define Attributes dialog box shows up. You should see 3 predefined default attributes: Category, Component, and Developer.
3. Click the New button. The New Attribute dialog box shows up.
4. Enter a name for your new attribute. For example: "Level" to indicate the complexity level of test cases.
5. Select an attribute type: Normal, Edit, or Set.
6. Click OK.