Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!apple!apple.com!jess From: jess@apple.com (Jay Jessen) Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.programmer Subject: Re: Testing Tools... Message-ID: <6283@internal.Apple.COM> Date: 21 Jan 90 23:13:42 GMT References: <2bbd2b567@caladan.UUCP> Sender: usenet@Apple.COM Distribution: usa Organization: Apple Computer, Inc. Lines: 100 In article <2bbd2b567@caladan.UUCP> atreides@caladan.UUCP (System Administrator) writes: > In article <2bbd2b567@caladan.UUCP> atreides@caladan.UUCP (System Administrator) writes: > There is always a lot of discussion about a variety of development > environments (and rightly so), but my interests lie more with testing > tools, and I have never seen a discussion on this topic. > > So far I have found the Mac woefully lacking in this area.. but like > any Mac zealot the quest continues :-) > > My question is, does anyone know of the existance of commercially > available tools for the Mac. Or if you have developed tools, would > you be willing to share them with the rest of the testing community on > the net? > > I'm especially interested in tools for: > > - Automation > - Code Coverage > - Code Complexity Measurement > > etc... > > I look forward to any information that comes to light. Here at Apple, we have an environment to automate the testing of Mac applications through the user interface. User/Application interaction is what's being automated. The testing is driven by a scripting language which specifies Rwould-beS interaction between a user and the application under test. The test specification is given abstractly rather than literally as with many macro facilities. By abstract, I mean that the language primitives include commands to say things like Rselect the button titled OKS, Rdrag the frontmost windowS, Rselect the first menuItem under the windows menuS, etc... The system, is therefore adaptive to things such as varying monitor configurations, Apps that center dialogs, minor changes from one version of an App to the next, etc... In addition, higher level programming constructs are supported so that testing methodologies can be applied. One can specify code to facilitate things like Rif a dialog is present, log the message, dismiss the dialog, and continueS. Mechanisms are also supported to allow for modular development of scripts. In addition, this tool was designed from the very beginning to be a testing environment. We try to offload as much of the work away from the Mac under test and try to minimize intrusion of the Mac Application under test. Therefore, testing is done over Appletalk. ItUs possible to drive many MacUs from one Mac host. In fact, itUs possible to drive many MacUs from one host having each being driven by a different script. Each of the machines under test will have a small piece of code running which acts as an agent to pass raw information back to the host. This code works at a level low enough as to fool the application into thinking it is being manipulated by an actual user. It installs itself as an init. Presently, the tool exists as an MPW tool and scripts are written textually. There is also a sister application which can do literal mouse and keystroke recording/playback. The two tools can work cooperatively in that recordings can be played back at points within script execution. The environment is used extensively within Apple. Tom Chavez, the product manager for the tool is trying to make it available through APDA. You may contact Tom for information pertaining to the tool's availability. He is reachable as follows: Tom Chavez, Product Manager Apple Product Marketing Applelink: TOM.CHAVEZ tomc@apple.com I am also hoping to present this tool at the Worldwide Developer's conference this Spring. I am trying to arrange such a presentation, but cannot confirm it at this time. Thanks for your interest and I hope we can meet your testing needs with this tool. Jay Jessen Project Lead ------------------------ While I have your attention, let me also state that we have an immediate job opening on the project for an experienced and knowledgeable Mac programmer. The person should have at least a B.S. in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering. Strong interpersonal skills are a must as the person must be able to work within a project team and interact regularly with engineers of all sorts across Apple. Skills that would be an added bonus include Appletalk programming, C++ programming, knowledge of and/or application of testing methodologies. This position is in Cupertino, CA (Silicon Valley). I will accept e-mailed letters informing me of interest in the position, but please send all resumes and cover letters through U.S. mail to the address listed at the end of this posting. Apple Computer, Inc. has a corporate commitment to the principle of diversity. In that spirit, we welcome applications from all individuals including women, minorities, veterans, and disabled individuals. (C) 1990 Apple Computer, Inc. Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, AppleTalk, and MPW are all registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Jay Jessen, Software Engineer Apple Computer, Inc. MS 60BB 20525 Mariani Ave Cupertino, CA 95014 AppleLink: Jessen1