The testing process is based on the tasks that Flex developers
and testers perform. The process for automating functional tests of
Flex applications differs, depending on the way developers create
the application under test.
Automated testing of Flex applications requires you to load supporting
files. These supporting files can be loaded in two different stages:
- At compile time for applications that are enabled for functional
testing
- At run time for applications that are not enabled for functional
testing
Prerequisites
Review the detailed list of information about IBM® Rational® Functional Tester
system requirements.
To test Flex applications, be sure the following software is installed:
Development environment
- Adobe Flex SDK and Adobe Flex automation framework
- Optional: Adobe Flex Builder
Test environment
- One of the following browsers:
- Google Chrome
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Mozilla Firefox
- Adobe Flash Player ActiveX control
Assumptions
The following assumptions apply for the testing of Flex applications:
- Testers are not skilled in developing Flex applications.
- Testers cannot access Flex source code, the Flex compiler, or Flex documentation.
- Flex developers do not know how to use Rational Functional Tester.
Testing Flex applications
The tasks that
you perform in testing Flex applications depend on the application
and whether you are a developer or a tester.
You can test applications
that are enabled for Rational Functional Tester or
test applications that are not enabled for Rational Functional Tester.
Testing Rational Functional Tester enabled Flex applications
Developers
can enable the Flex applications for testing by compiling the Flex
application with Rational Functional Tester agent
(rft.swc for Flex 2.0, rftFlex3.0.swc and rftProp_Flex3.0.swc for
Flex 3.0, Flex 3.2, Flex 3.3, Flex 3.4 or Flex 3.5, rftFlex4.0.swc
and rftProp_Flex4.0.swc for Flex 4.0 or Flex 4.1) and Flex automation
framework libraries. After compilation, the developer must create
an HTML wrapper that embeds the enabled Flex application and provide
the application on a web server or on a local test computer for testing.
Advantages and limitations of testing Rational Functional Tester enabled Flex
applications
Three advantages encourage enabling Flex
applications for functional testing:
- Efficiency: Multiple enabled Flex applications can be embedded in a single HTML page and can be
tested simultaneously.
- Ease: Testing is simplified when different Flex applications communicate with each other. All
the related enabled Flex applications can be embedded in a single page and can be tested based on a
single scenario.
- Location: Enabled Flex applications can be tested locally.
One limitation in testing enabled Flex applications is
that only the developer can enable the Flex application for testing.
Testing nonenabled Flex applications
Developers can enable the runtime
loader component for Flex applications and deploy the application
on a web server for testing.
Advantages and limitations of testing non-enabled Flex applications
The advantages of
testing Flex applications that are not enabled for functional testing:
- Ease: Testers benefit because many technical complexities are hidden.
- Efficiency: Load and test multiple SWF files.
Review the following limitations regarding nonenabled
Flex applications:
- Deployment option: The Flex application can be deployed in a test or production
environment.
- Location: The runtime loader cannot be run locally; you must deploy the runtime loader to a web
server.