Siebel tests precisely designate
datapool candidates, include an additional type of data source, and
store variables in a proprietary data structure. In addition, page
names are created during test generation to help you find pages of
interest.
The primary difference between a Siebel test and a standard HTTP
test is in how dynamic data is stored and substituted during a test
run:
- In a standard HTTP test, a data source (datapool variable, custom
code, or a reference) is linked to a test value that is replaced at
run time. Siebel tests support standard HTTP data sources and substitution.
Datapools, which are explained in Providing tests with variable data, work the same
way in Siebel tests as in standard HTTP tests, but the datapool candidates
in Siebel tests are more precisely designated than in standard HTTP
tests. In many cases, datapool substitutions are the only changes
that you need to make to a Siebel test.
- In a Siebel test, an additional type of data source, which is called a built-in data
source, contains variables that you can use to replace a test value.
These variables can
be substituted for dates (in defined formats), time stamps, and counters throughout tests. In some
cases, SWE Unique Value can be used as an alternative to a datapool; for
example, to supply variable account names. For detailed instructions, see Correlating a request value with a built-in Siebel variable.
Siebel variables are stored in a proprietary data structure called
a star array. A star array stores both strings and their
length in hexadecimal format (length_string) or integer format (length*string).
Siebel substituters have a method for substituting data and recomputing
the length. You can substitute from a value in a star array (highlight
a length_string or length*string format value, right-click, and then
click Substitute). You are then asked whether
you want a Siebel substitution or a standard HTTP substitution. You
typically select Siebel data correlation.
Siebel tests are organized inside the test editor much like standard
HTTP tests, but with some differences for pages:
- The first page of a Siebel test is named Message Bar,
which emulates the ticker-tape message that Siebel application pages
display.
- Page names are created during test generation to help you find
pages of interest. For example, a typical change to make to a test
before running it is to replace the user name and password that you
typed during recording with values in a datapool. As shown in the
example, the page from which you logged into the Siebel server is
named Login - Send UserName/Password, to help
you find this page quickly.