Automated Testing Support for Windows Vista

Windows Vista includes a lot of new features compared to previous Windows versions, as does Windows Server 2008, which is based on the Windows Vista kernel. TestComplete supports these operating systems and many of their technologies.

Automated Testing Support for .NET Framework 3

The .NET Framework 3 that appeared in Windows Vista introduces a number innovative technologies like Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) and others. However, the Common Language Runtime did not change since .NET Framework 2, so, automated testing of .NET Framework 3 applications does not differ from testing of other .NET applications. TestComplete has access to all internal elements of .NET applications, that is, all public, protected, private, internal and protected internal properties and methods become accessible to the automated test engine.

Automated Testing Support for Windows Presentation Foundation

The applications created with Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) implement the programming concept of separating user interface and internal algorithms. The user interface elements of WPF applications are defined using an XML-based Extensible Application Markup Language (XAML).

TestComplete supports automated testing of WPF applications and XAML controls. It provides specific methods and properties that help you easily simulate user actions on these controls. It also provides access to internal methods and properties of WPF applications’ objects.

Automated Testing and the UI Automation Technology

Windows Vista includes Microsoft UI Automation Framework. One of this framework’s purposes is to assist in application testing by providing program access to user interface elements. The framework includes special providers that expose properties of buttons, check boxes, menus and menu items, data grids, list boxes and other controls for use in automated testing.

TestComplete’s automated tests supports this technology. It uses the standard UI Automation providers to obtain information on UI elements of the application under test. The retrieved properties can be observed in the Object Browser and be used for automated testing.