Working with add-ins in UFT/ QTP

QTP add-ins helps to identify objects in a variety of development environments. For e.g. if we require to create tests for an application in Java environment, we need to be install add-in for Java to identify objects in Java application. To use an add-in, we need to install the add-in in UFT.

How is add-ins installed and used in QTP/UFT?

Add-ins can be installed together with UFT installation or modify the existing UFT installation. Using Add-in for a particular requires the add-in to be installed. When UFT opens, a dialog box opens which asks which add-ins is to be loaded as shown below. For better performance only the add-ins which is used in the test session should be loaded when QTP/UFT is launched.

Once an add-in is added from UFT Add-in Manager, we can define the run and record setting for the add-in. below image shows the record and run setting for Java add-in. In case we want to do testing on any open application, and not to open a fixed pre-defined application, use radio button for not recording and run on any open java application.

UFT includes built-in support for testing standard Windows application. In case the required add-in not loaded, QTP tries to identify the object as standard window object. With UFT 11.5, No separate license is required for the add-ins and can use any of the add-ins to work with.

Understanding different type of add-ins - The add-ins are broadly classified as :

Web-based Add-ins – 

• Add-ins designed to support special objects that are generally available in Web applications.
• Most of the capabilities of objects in this category are identical or similar.

 Web-based add-in used in UFT 11.5 are:

•  .Net Web Forms Add-in – The .NET Add-in functions like a Web-based add-in when testing .NET Web Forms controls.
• PeopleSoft Add-in –   Identify and test PeopleSoft user-interface object
• Siebel Add-in –  Identifies Siebel objects in the application. Using Siebel Add-in provides the user to use Siebel Test Express to automatically generate a new shared object repository, or to update an existing object repository.
• .NET Silverlight Add-in –  Identifies and test silverlight application.
• Web 2.0 Toolkit Support
• Web Add-in
• Web based SAP Support
•  Oracle Add-in

 Windows based Add-ins –

• Add-ins designed to support special objects that are generally available in Window applications.
• Most of the capabilities of objects in this category are identical or similar.

 Window based Add-ins in UFT 11.5 are:

• ActiveX Add-in
• Delphi Add-in
• .Net Windows form Add-in
• Power builder Add-in
• Qt Add-in
• Windows based SAP Support
• Stringray Add-in
• Terminal Emulator Add-in
• Visual Age Smalltalk Add-in
• Visual basic Add-in. 

Java Add-in –  provides Java test objects, methods, and properties that can be used when testing objects in Java applications.

Flex Add-in – Using Flex Add-in provides Flex test objects, methods, and properties, Flex objects in Flex applications are identified and automated.

In case the objects in the environment are not identified properly using the add-ins, we can use extensibility to identify the objects.