What is Smart Identification?

When the recorded definition for an object does not enable QuickTest to identify an option, QuickTest uses the Smart Identification definition (if defined and enabled) to identify the object.

When QuickTest uses the recorded description to identify an object, it searches for an object that matches every one of the property values in the description. In most cases, this description is the simplest way to identify the object and unless the main properties of the object change, this method will work.

If QuickTest is unable to find any object that matches the recorded object description, or if it finds more than one object that fits the description, then QuickTest ignores the recorded description, and uses the Smart Identification mechanism to try to identify the object.

While the Smart Identification mechanism is more complex, it is more flexible, and thus, if configured logically, a Smart Identification definition can probably help QuickTest identify an object, if it is present, even when the recorded description fails.

The Smart Identification mechanism uses two types of properties:

Base filter properties:
The most fundamental properties of a particular test object class; those whose values cannot be changed without changing the essence of the original object. For example, if a Web link’s tag was changed from <A> to any other value, you could no longer call it the same object.

Optional filter properties:
Other properties that can help identify objects of a particular class as they are unlikely to change on a regular basis, but which can be ignored if they are no longer applicable.

If QuickTest activates the Smart Identification mechanism during a test run (because it was unable to identify an object based on its recorded description), it follows the following process to identify the object:

1. QuickTest forgets the recorded test object description and creates a new object candidate list containing the objects (within the object’s parent object) that match all of the properties defined in the base filter property list.

2. From that list of objects, QuickTest filters out any object that does not match the first property listed in the Optional Filter Properties list. The remaining objects become the new object candidate list.

3. QuickTest evaluates the new object candidate list:
If the new object candidate list still has more than one object, QuickTest uses the new (smaller) object candidate list to repeat step 2 for the next optional filter property in the list.

If the new object candidate list is empty, QuickTest ignores this optional filter property, returns to the previous object candidate list, and repeats step 2 for the next optional filter property in the list.

If the object candidate list contains exactly one object, then QuickTest concludes that it has identified the object and performs the statement containing the object.

4. QuickTest continues the process described in steps 2 and 3 until it either identifies one object or runs out of optional filter properties to use.
If, after completing the Smart Identification elimination process, QuickTest still cannot identify the object, then QuickTest uses the recorded description plus the ordinal identifier to identify the object.

If the combined recorded description and ordinal identifier are not sufficient to identify the object, then QuickTest stops the test run and displays a Run Error message.

QuickTest Automation Object Model

You can use the QuickTest Professional Automation Object Model to write programs that automate your QuickTest operations. The QuickTest Automation Object Model provides objects, methods, and properties that enable you to control QuickTest from another application.The new QuickTest Professional Automation Object Model enables you to automate test management.

You can now control virtually every QuickTest feature and capability using the objects, methods and properties included in the QuickTest Professional Automation Object Model. Automation scripts make it easy to perform any QuickTest operation multiple times in multiple tests without having to open the QuickTest application, for example,

• You can write a script that modifies the test object description properties in the Object Identification dialog box and performs an update run on all tests in a specified file folder.
• After installing a new add-in, an automation script can associate this add-in to all relevant tests.
• You can write an automation script to run a selected batch of tests. For each test, you can retrieve the associated add-ins list. Then, if the necessary add-ins are not already loaded, you can close QuickTest, load the necessary add-ins, reopen QuickTest, and run the test.
• You can define your settings for a test in QuickTest, then click “Generate Script” in the Generate tab of the Test Settings dialog box to generate an automation script based on the current test settings. You can then apply those same settings automatically to multiple tests using the whole automation script or excerpts from the generated file.

Example:
You can create and run an automation program from Microsoft Visual Basic that loads the required add-ins for a test, starts QuickTest in visible or minimized mode, opens the test, configures settings that correspond to those in the Options, Test Settings, and Record and Run Settings dialog boxes, runs the test, and saves the test.
Creating automation programs:
The Properties tab of the Test Settings dialog box, the General tab of the Options dialog box, and the Object Identification dialog box each contain a “Generate Script” button. Clicking this button generates a automation script file (.vbs) containing the current settings from the corresponding dialog box.

You can run the generated script as is to open QuickTest with the exact configuration of the QuickTest application that generated the script, or you can copy and paste selected lines from the generated files into your own automation script.

Generating an automation script for QuickTest Professional options:
1. Go to Tools -> Options.
2. Select the General tab.
3. Click <Generate Script>.
4. Save the script to the desired location.
5. Click <OK> to close the Options dialog.

Generating an automation script for test settings:
1. Go to Test -> Settings.
2. Select the Properties tab.
3. Click <Generate Script>.
4. Save the script to the desired location.
5. Click <OK> to close the Test Settings dialog.

Generating an automation script for object identification settings:
1. Go to Tools -> Object Identification.
2. Click <Generate Script>.
3. Save the script to the desired location.
4. Click <OK> to close the Object Identification dialog.
The QuickTest Automation Object Model Reference file is a help file that provides detailed descriptions, syntax information, and examples for the objects, methods, and properties in the QuickTest Automation Object Model.

SQL FAQS FOR TESTERS

1. How do you implement one-to-one, one-to-many and many-to-many relationships while designing tables?
One-to-One relationship can be implemented as a single table and rarely as two tables with primary and foreign key relationships.
One-to-Many relationships are implemented by splitting the data into two tables with primary key and foreign key relationships.
Many-to-Many relationships are implemented using a junction table with the keys from both the tables forming the composite primary key of the junction table.
It will be a good idea to read up a database designing fundamentals text book.

2. What’s the difference between a primary key and a unique key?
Both primary key and unique enforce uniqueness of the column on which they are defined. But by default primary key creates a clustered index on the column, where are unique creates a nonclustered index by default. Another major difference is that, primary key doesn’t allow NULLs, but nique key allows one NULL only.

3. What are user defined datatypes and when you should go for them?
User defined datatypes let you extend the base SQL Server datatypes by providing a descriptive name, and format to the database. Take for example, in your database, there is a column called Flight_Num which appears in many tables. In all these tables it should be varchar(8). In this case you could create a user defined datatype called Flight_num_type of varchar(8) and use it across all your tables.

4. What is bit datatype and what’s the information that can be stored inside a bit column?
Bit datatype is used to store boolean information like 1 or 0 (true or false). Untill SQL Server 6.5 bit datatype could hold either a 1 or 0 and there was no support for NULL. But from SQL Server 7.0 onwards, bit datatype can represent a third state, which is NULL.

5. Define candidate key, alternate key, composite key
A candidate key is one that can identify each row of a table uniquely. Generally a candidate key becomes the primary key of the table. If the table has more than one candidate key, one of them will become the primary key, and the rest are called alternate keys.

A key formed by combining at least two or more columns is called composite key.

6. What are defaults? Is there a column to which a default can’t be bound?
A default is a value that will be used by a column, if no value is supplied to that column while inserting data. IDENTITY columns and timestamp columns can’t have defaults bound to them. See CREATE DEFUALT in books online.

7. What is a transaction and what are ACID properties?
A transaction is a logical unit of work in which, all the steps must be performed or none. ACID stands for Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability. These are the properties of a transaction. For more information and explanation of these properties, see SQL Server books online or any RDBMS fundamentals text book.

8. Explain different isolation levels
An isolation level determines the degree of isolation of data between concurrent transactions. The default SQL Server isolation level is Read Committed. Here are the other isolation levels (in the ascending order of isolation): Read Uncommitted, Read Committed, Repeatable Read, Serializable. See SQL Server books online for an explanation of the isolation levels. Be sure to read about SET TRANSACTION ISOLATION LEVEL, which lets you customize the isolation level at the connection level.

9. CREATE INDEX myIndex ON myTable(myColumn)
What type of Index will get created after executing the above statement?
Non-clustered index. Important thing to note: By default a clustered index gets created on the primary key, unless specified otherwise.

10. What’s the maximum size of a row?
8060 bytes. Don’t be surprised with questions like ‘what is the maximum number of columns per table’. Check out SQL Server books online for the page titled: “Maximum Capacity Specifications”.

11. Explain Active/Active and Active/Passive cluster configurations
Hopefully you have experience setting up cluster servers. But if you don’t, at least be familiar with the way clustering works and the two clustering configurations Active/Active and Active/Passive. SQL Server books online has enough information on this topic and there is a good white paper available on Microsoft site.

12. Explain the architecture of SQL Server
This is a very important question and you better be able to answer it if consider yourself a DBA. SQL Server books online is the best place to read about SQL Server architecture. Read up the chapter dedicated to SQL Server Architecture.

13. What is lock escalation?
Lock escalation is the process of converting a lot of low level locks (like row locks, page locks) into higher level locks (like table locks). Every lock is a memory structure too many locks would mean, more memory being occupied by locks. To prevent this from happening, SQL Server escalates the many fine-grain locks to fewer coarse-grain locks. Lock escalation threshold was definable in SQL Server 6.5, but from SQL Server 7.0 onwards it’s dynamically managed by SQL Server.

14. What’s the difference between DELETE TABLE and TRUNCATE TABLE commands?
DELETE TABLE is a logged operation, so the deletion of each row gets logged in the transaction log, which makes it slow. TRUNCATE TABLE also deletes all the rows in a table, but it won’t log the deletion of each row, instead it logs the deallocation of the data pages of the table, which makes it faster. Of course, TRUNCATE TABLE can be rolled back.

15. Explain the storage models of OLAP
Check out MOLAP, ROLAP and HOLAP in SQL Server books online for more infomation.

16. What are the new features introduced in SQL Server 2000 (or the latest release of SQL Server at the time of your interview)? What changed between the previous version of SQL Server and the current version?
This question is generally asked to see how current is your knowledge. Generally there is a section in the beginning of the books online titled “What’s New”, which has all such information. Of course, reading just that is not enough, you should have tried those things to better answer the questions. Also check out the section titled “Backward Compatibility” in books online which talks about the changes that have taken place in the new version.

1. What are constraints? Explain different types of constraints
Constraints enable the RDBMS enforce the integrity of the database automatically, without needing you to create triggers, rule or defaults.

Types of constraints: NOT NULL, CHECK, UNIQUE, PRIMARY KEY, FOREIGN KEY

For an explanation of these constraints see books online for the pages titled: “Constraints” and “CREATE TABLE”, “ALTER TABLE”

2. What is an index? What are the types of indexes? How many clustered indexes can be created on a table? I create a separate index on each column of a table. what are the advantages and disadvantages of this approach?
Indexes in SQL Server are similar to the indexes in books. They help SQL Server retrieve the data quicker.

Indexes are of two types. Clustered indexes and non-clustered indexes. When you craete a clustered index on a table, all the rows in the table are stored in the order of the clustered index key. So, there can be only one clustered index per table. Non-clustered indexes have their own storage separate from the table data storage. Non-clustered indexes are stored as B-tree structures (so do clustered indexes), with the leaf level nodes having the index key and it’s row locater. The row located could be the RID or the Clustered index key, depending up on the absence or presence of clustered index on the table.

If you create an index on each column of a table, it improves the query performance, as the query optimizer can choose from all the existing indexes to come up with an efficient execution plan. At the same t ime, data modification operations (such as INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE) will become slow, as every time data changes in the table, all the indexes need to be updated. Another disadvantage is that, indexes need disk space, the more indexes you have, more disk space is used.

3. What is RAID and what are different types of RAID configurations?
RAID stands for Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks, used to provide fault tolerance to database servers. There are six RAID levels 0 through 5 offering different levels of performance, fault tolerance. MSDN has some information about RAID levels and for detailed information, check out the RAID advisory board’s homepage.

4. What are the steps you will take to improve performance of a poor performing query?
This is a very open ended question and there could be a lot of reasons behind the poor performance of a query. But some general issues that you could talk about would be: No indexes, table scans, missing or out of date statistics, blocking, excess recompilations of stored procedures, procedures and triggers without SET NOCOUNT ON, poorly written query with unnecessarily complicated joins, too much normalization, excess usage of cursors and temporary tables.

Some of the tools/ways that help you troubleshooting performance problems are: SET SHOWPLAN_ALL ON, SET SHOWPLAN_TEXT ON, SET STATISTICS IO ON, SQL Server Profiler, Windows NT /2000 Performance monitor, Graphical execution plan in Query Analyzer.

Download the white paper on performance tuning SQL Server from Microsoft web site. Don’t forget to check out sql-server-performance.com

5. What are the steps you will take, if you are tasked with securing an SQL Server?
Again this is another open ended question. Here are some things you could talk about: Preferring NT authentication, using server, database and application roles to control access to the data, securing the physical database files using NTFS permissions, using an unguessable SA password, restricting physical access to the SQL Server, renaming the Administrator account on the SQL Server computer, disabling the Guest account, enabling auditing, using multiprotocol encryption, setting up SSL, setting up firewalls, isolating SQL Server from the web server etc.

6. What is a deadlock and what is a live lock? How will you go about resolving deadlocks?
Deadlock is a situation when two processes, each having a lock on one piece of data, attempt to acquire a lock on the other’s piece. Each process would wait indefinitely for the other to release the lock, unless one of the user processes is terminated. SQL Server detects deadlocks and terminates one user’s process.

A livelock is one, where a request for an exclusive lock is repeatedly denied because a series of overlapping shared locks keeps interfering. SQL Server detects the situation after four denials and refuses further shared locks. A livelock also occurs when read transactions monopolize a table or page, forcing a write transaction to wait indefinitely.

7. What is blocking and how would you troubleshoot it?
Blocking happens when one connection from an application holds a lock and a second connection requires a conflicting lock type. This forces the second connection to wait, blocked on the first.

Read up the following topics in SQL Server books online: Understanding and avoiding blocking, Coding efficient transactions.

8. Explain CREATE DATABASE syntax
Many of us are used to craeting databases from the Enterprise Manager or by just issuing the command: CREATE DATABAE MyDB. But what if you have to create a database with two filegroups, one on drive C and the other on drive D with log on drive E with an initial size of 600 MB and with a growth factor of 15%? That’s why being a DBA you should be familiar with the CREATE DATABASE syntax. Check out SQL Server books online for more information.

9. How to restart SQL Server in single user mode? How to start SQL Server in minimal configuration mode?
SQL Server can be started from command line, using the SQLSERVR.EXE. This EXE has some very important parameters with which a DBA should be familiar with. -m is used for starting SQL Server in single user mode and -f is used to start the SQL Server in minimal configuration mode. Check out SQL Server books online for more parameters and their explanations.

10. As a part of your job, what are the DBCC commands that you commonly use for database maintenance?
DBCC CHECKDB, DBCC CHECKTABLE, DBCC CHECKCATALOG, DBCC CHECKALLOC, DBCC SHOWCONTIG, DBCC SHRINKDATABASE, DBCC SHRINKFILE etc. But there are a whole load of DBCC commands which are very useful for DBAs. Check out SQL Server books online for more information.

11. What are statistics, under what circumstances they go out of date, how do you update them?
Statistics determine the selectivity of the indexes. If an indexed column has unique values then the selectivity of that index is more, as opposed to an index with non-unique values. Query optimizer uses these indexes in determining whether to choose an index or not while executing a query.

Some situations under which you should update statistics:
1) If there is significant change in the key values in the index
2) If a large amount of data in an indexed column has been added, changed, or removed (that is, if the distribution of key values has changed), or the table has been truncated using the TRUNCATE TABLE statement and then repopulated
3) Database is upgraded from a previous version

Look up SQL Server books online for the following commands: UPDATE STATISTICS, STATS_DATE, DBCC SHOW_STATISTICS, CREATE STATISTICS, DROP STATISTICS, sp_autostats, sp_createstats, sp_updatestats

12. What are the different ways of moving data/databases between servers and databases in SQL Server?
There are lots of options available, you have to choose your option depending upon your requirements. Some of the options you have are: BACKUP/RESTORE, dettaching and attaching databases, replication, DTS, BCP, logshipping, INSERT…SELECT, SELECT…INTO, creating INSERT scripts to generate data.

13. Explain different types of BACKUPs available in SQL Server? Given a particular scenario, how would you go about choosing a backup plan?
Types of backups you can create in SQL Sever 7.0+ are Full database backup, differential database backup, transaction log backup, filegroup backup. Check out the BACKUP and RESTORE commands in SQL Server books online. Be prepared to write the commands in your interview. Books online also has information on detailed backup/restore architecture and when one should go for a particular kind of backup.

14. What is database replication? What are the different types of replication you can set up in SQL Server?
Replication is the process of copying/moving data between databases on the same or different servers. SQL Server supports the following types of replication scenarios:

o Snapshot replication

o Transactional replication (with immediate updating subscribers, with queued updating subscribers)

o Merge replication

See SQL Server books online for indepth coverage on replication. Be prepared to explain how different replication agents function, what are the main system tables used in replication etc.

15. How to determine the service pack currently installed on SQL Server?
The global variable @@Version stores the build number of the sqlservr.exe, which is used to determine the service pack installed. To know more about this process visit

What are cursors? Explain different types of cursors. What are the disadvantages of cursors? How can you avoid cursors?
Cursors allow row-by-row processing of the resultsets.

Types of cursors: Static, Dynamic, Forward-only, Keyset-driven. See books online for more information.

Disadvantages of cursors: Each time you fetch a row from the cursor, it results in a network roundtrip, where as a normal SELECT query makes only one rowundtrip, however large the resultset is. Cursors are also costly because they require more resources and temporary storage (results in more IO operations). Furthere, there are restrictions on the SELECT statements that can be used with some types of cursors.

Most of the times, set based operations can be used instead of cursors. Here is an example:

If you have to give a flat hike to your employees using the following criteria:

Salary between 30000 and 40000 — 5000 hike
Salary between 40000 and 55000 — 7000 hike
Salary between 55000 and 65000 — 9000 hike

In this situation many developers tend to use a cursor, determine each employee’s salary and update his salary according to the above formula. But the same can be achieved by multiple update statements or can be combined in a single UPDATE statement as shown below:

UPDATE tbl_emp SET salary =
CASE WHEN salary BETWEEN 30000 AND 40000 THEN salary + 5000
WHEN salary BETWEEN 40000 AND 55000 THEN salary + 7000
WHEN salary BETWEEN 55000 AND 65000 THEN salary + 10000
END

Another situation in which developers tend to use cursors: You need to call a stored procedure when a column in a particular row meets certain condition. You don’t have to use cursors for this. This can be achieved using WHILE loop, as long as there is a unique key to identify each row.

17. Write down the general syntax for a SELECT statements covering all the options
Here’s the basic syntax: (Also checkout SELECT in books online for advanced syntax).

SELECT select_list
[INTO new_table_]
FROM table_source
[WHERE search_condition]
[GROUP BY group_by_expression]
[HAVING search_condition]
[ORDER BY order_expression [ASC | DESC] ]

18. What is a join and explain different types of joins
Joins are used in queries to explain how different tables are related. Joins also let you select data from a table depending upon data from another table.

Types of joins: INNER JOINs, OUTER JOINs, CROSS JOINs.OUTER JOINs are further classified as LEFT OUTER JOINS, RIGHT OUTER JOINS and FULL OUTER JOINS.

19. Can you have a nested transaction?
Yes, very much. Check out BEGIN TRAN, COMMIT, ROLLBACK, SAVE TRAN and @@TRANCOUNT

20. What is an extended stored procedure? Can you instantiate a COM object by using T-SQL?
An extended stored procedure is a function within a DLL (written in a programming language like C, C++ using Open Data Services (ODS) API) that can be called from T-SQL,just the way we call normal stored procedures using the EXEC statement. See books online to learn how to create extended stored procedures and how to add them to SQL Server.

Yes, you can instantiate a COM (written in languages like VB, VC++) object from T-SQL by using sp_OACreate stored procedure. Also see books online for sp_OAMethod, sp_OAGetProperty, sp_OASetProperty, sp_OADestroy.

21. What is the system function to get the current user’s user id?
USER_ID().Also check out other system functions like USER_NAME(), SYSTEM_USER, SESSION_USER, CURRENT_USER, USER, SUSER_SID(), HOST_NAME().

22. What are triggers? How many triggers you can have on a table? How to invoke a trigger on demand?
Triggers are special kind of stored procedures that get executed automatically when an INSERT, UPDATE or DELETE operation takes place on a table.

In SQL Server 6.5 you could define only 3 triggers per table, one for INSERT, one for UPDATE and one for DELETE. From SQL Server 7.0 onwards, this restriction is gone, and you could create multiple triggers per each action. But in 7.0 there’s no way to control the order in which the triggers fire. In SQL Server 2000 you could specify which trigger fires first or fires last using sp_settriggerorder

Triggers can’t be invoked on demand. They get triggered only when an associated action (INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE) happens on the table on which they are defined.

Triggers are generally used to implement business rules, auditing. Triggers can also be used to extend the referential integrity checks, but wherever possible, use constraints for this purpose, instead of triggers, as constraints are much faster.

Till SQL Server 7.0, triggers fire only after the data modification operation happens. So in a way, they are called post triggers. But in SQL Server 2000 you could create pre triggers also. Search SQL Server 2000 books online for INSTEAD OF triggers.

23. There is a trigger defined for INSERT operations on a table, in an OLTP system. The trigger is written to instantiate a COM object and pass the newly insterted rows to it for some custom processing. What do you think of this implementation? Can this be implemented better?
Instantiating COM objects is a time consuming process and since you are doing it from within a trigger, it slows down the data insertion process. Same is the case with sending emails from triggers. This scenario can be better implemented by logging all the necessary data into a separate table, and have a job which periodically checks this table and does the needful.

24. What is a self join? Explain it with an example
Self join is just like any other join, except that two instances of the same table will be joined in the query. Here is an example: Employees table which contains rows for normal employees as well as managers. So, to find out the managers of all the employees, you need a self join.

CREATE TABLE emp
(
empid int,
mgrid int,
empname char(10)
)

INSERT emp SELECT 1,2,’Vyas’
INSERT emp SELECT 2,3,’Mohan’
INSERT emp SELECT 3,NULL,’Shobha’
INSERT emp SELECT 4,2,’Shridhar’
INSERT emp SELECT 5,2,’Sourabh’

SELECT t1.empname [Employee], t2.empname [Manager]
FROM emp t1, emp t2
WHERE t1.mgrid = t2.empid
Here’s an advanced query using a LEFT OUTER JOIN that even returns the employees without managers (super bosses)

SELECT t1.empname [Employee], COALESCE(t2.empname, ‘No manager’) [Manager]
FROM emp t1
LEFT OUTER JOIN
emp t2
ON
t1.mgrid = t2.empid

 

DATABASE CONNECTION

To verify that information is entered into the database at runtime, you will need to add code to your script which will open a connection to the database, query the database, then close the connection. Here are the steps to do this (an example follows).

1. Create an “ADODB.Connection” object (the database object).
2. Set the connection string for the database object.
3. Open the connection to the database.
4. Execute a SQL statement.
5. Close the database connection.

The query will return the values as a tab delimited string. You can parse through the string and verify that the information is correct.

Note:
The exact structure of the connection string will depend on the type of database you are using. For example, if your database requires a password, you will need to include a password parameter in the connection string. For more information, refer to Example:

 

 

 

Dim flightnumber
Dim dbexample

‘ Create the conection object.
Set dbexample = CreateObject(“ADODB.Connection”)

‘ Set the connection string and open the connection
dbexample.ConnectionString = “DBQ=D:\Program Files\Mercury Interactive\WinRunner\samples\flight\app\flight32.mdb;DefaultDir=D:\Program Files\Mercury Interactive\WinRunner\samples\flight\app;Driver={Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb)};DriverId=281;FIL=MS Access;MaxBufferSize=2048;MaxScanRows=8;PageTimeout=5;SafeTransactions=0;Threads=3;UserCommitSync=Yes;”
dbexample.Open

‘ or use this method if a DSN entry was created.
‘dbexample.Open(“DSN=Flight32″)

flightnumber = 6195
‘ Get the recordset returned from a select query.
Set recordset = dbexample.Execute(“SELECT * from Orders WHERE Flight_Number = ” & flightnumber)

‘ Display the results of the query.
msgbox recordset.GetString

‘ Close the database connection.
dbexample.Close
Set dbexample = Nothing

If your query returns several columns, you can use the Fields method to retrieve data from specified columns in the returned record set.

Example:
‘ Connect to the Flight32 database
Set dbexample = CreateObject(“ADODB.Connection”)
dbexample.Open(“DSN=Flight32″)

‘ Perform a query
Set recordset = dbexample.Execute(“SELECT * from Orders”)

‘ Get the values from the Customer_Name column
while (NOT recordset.EOF)
MsgBox recordset.Fields(“Customer_Name”)

‘ Move to the next value in the record set
recordset.MoveNext
wend

‘ Close the database connection.
dbexample.Close
Set dbexample = Nothing

For more information on the Fields and MoveNext methods and working with the “ADODB.Connection” object, please refer to a VBScript reference.

Connecting to Access

sFileName=”D:\customer.mdb”
Set cnnAccess = CreateObject(“ADODB.Connection”)
cnnAccess.Open(“DRIVER={Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb)};DBQ=” & sFileName)
If cnnAccess.State = 1 Then
ConnectDB = “open”
msgbox “done”
else
ConnectDB = “close”
msgbox “not done”
End if

‘Toget the data from the database
Set Rs=CreateObject(“ADODB.Recordset”)
Set Rs=cnnAccess.Execute(“Select * from orders”)

Do while not Rs.EOF
msgbox (Rs(0) & Rs(1) & Rs(2) & Rs(3))
Rs.MoveNext
Loop

‘To Update the records
cnnAccess.Execute(“update orders set customer_name=’kumar’ where order_number=10″)

‘Connect to SQLSErver using sqlserver authentication

Str_Connect=”Provider=SQLOLEDB;Data Source=pulse;Initial catalog=Master”

Set CnnSql=CreateObject(“ADODB.Connection”)
CnnSql.Open Str_Connect,”sa”,”"

If CnnSql.State = 1 Then
msgbox “done”
else
msgbox “not done”
End if

‘Sample code to connect to sqlserver using WinAuthentication
Str_Connect=”Provider=SQLOLEDB;Data Source=Pulse;Initial catalog=Master;Integrated Security=SSPI”

Set CnnSql=CreateObject(“ADODB.Connection”)
CnnSql.Open Str_Connect

If CnnSql.State = 1 Then
msgbox “done”
else
msgbox “not done”
End if

Connecting to Oracle

Dim Str_Connection

strDriver={Microsoft ODBC for oracle}
strServer=”server”
strUserID=”scott”
strPassword=”tiger”

Str_Connection = “DRIVER=” & strDriver & “;SERVER=” & strServer & “;UID=” & strUserID & “;PWD=” & strPassword
set con = createobject(“adodb.connection”)

con.open strConnectionString
If con.State = 1 Then
msgbox “done”
else
msgbox “not done”
End if

IMP QTP FAQS

1.      What is Object Spy?

we can view the object properties of an open application ,test object methods and run time object methods, and also we can view selected object hirarchy tree properties and values in objectspy dialod box.

2. What is the extension of script and object repositary files?

The extension for Script file is .mts and the extentsion of the repository file is .tsr mtr : Modular Test Repository mts : Mercury Test Script tsr : Test Script Repository vbs : vb Script   What are the file extensions for per-action, shared object repository files and what is the extension for library files? Per-Action Object Repository - .mtr(Mercury test Script) Shared Action object Repository - .tsr(Test repository)  Library files - .vbs or .txt  

3.      What is the difference Between LowLevel and Normal Recording Modes?

Low-Level Recording: Is useful if the exact coordinates of the object are important for your test.

Normal recording: Is useful when the recording operations that cannot be recorded at the level of an object.

Low level record is used to record the session even the object is not recognized by the QTP.

2nd answer

Normal Level Is Object Context Level ; where QTP recognize object with Physical Description Of only interacted object.

Low-Level Recording—enables you to record on any object in your application, whether or not QuickTest recognizes the specific object or the specific operation. This mode records at the object level and records all run-time objects as Window or WinObject test objects. Use low-level recording for recording in an environment or on an object not recognized by QuickTest. You can also use low-level recording if the exact coordinates of the object are important for your test or component.

4.      What are the challenges do we face while testing webbased applcations using the automation tool QTP or any?

1)Unable to understand custom object, then we have to map that object to standard object. 2)To handle the runtime objects. 3)Using Regular Expressions.

5.How we can add actions in the test using QTP?

There are four actions call to action ,copy of action,call to exesitng action,call to winner,split action just right click on any one select it

6.Does QTP provides any tools for parametarization?

Yes, QTP uses Microsoft Excel for parameterization  

118.What is batch testing?

The SeQuential execution more than one test case is called as Batch testing. Every test Batch is consists of mutiple dependent test cases. In those batches every end state is base state to next case .Test batch is also known as Test suit or Test belt.  

7.what are recovery management techiniques?

Recovery scenario manager is used to handle exception. exception is run time error,three steps to handle exceptions. 1 .trigger event:-pop-up window,object state,test run error and application crash 2.recovery operations:-select an operation to perform when the trigger event occurs they are 1.keyboard or mouse peration 2.close application process 3. fuction call  4.restart miscrosoft windows 

3.post recovery:- select the last run operation you want to perform when the recovery operation is complect  .test run options:

1.      repeate current step and continue

2.      preceed to next step

3.      proceed to next action or component

4.      proceed to next iteration 

5.      restart current test run

6.      stop the test run

8.what is the difference between link and hyperlink?

The HyperLink control immediately navigates to the target URL when the user clicks on the control. The form is not posted to the server.

The LinkButton control first posts the form to the server, then navigates to the URL. If you need to do any server-side processing before going to the target URL, use a  LinkButton. 

On the other hand, if there is no server-side processing necessary, don't waste a round trip and use the HyperLink control.

9.In qtp,how to interact tool & application build? by using descriptive programing

10.HOW TO DO THE BATCH TESTING USING QTP?

GO  to tools ,options and select the tet batch runner and select the scripting functions one by one by keeping it in wait mode and execute it.

11.WHAT IS THE USE OF “FUNCTION GENERATOR” IN QTP?

1)the use of functional generator in qtp is which lists out the all the built in functions in qtp and helps you to write the vb script for un known objects.

2)it is also used to reduce the typing mistakes & syntax errors.

12.WHAT IS ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES?

the variable which you have in one action cant be used in some other action .so by using environment variables we can use the variables in one action in to another action.

environment variables are 3 types,

1. user defined internal

2. user defined external

3. builtin

13.what is the use of VIRTUAL OBJECTS? explain ?

The use of virtual objects in qtp is identifies the objects including pixels(with co-ordinates.)

14.what is a test strategy & what is the difference between test strategy & test plan?

TestPlan is controlled document which describes entire testing process. It includes

Scoping of the test, Test deliverables, Test schedule, Entry criteria, Exit criteria, Risks and contingencies and also Test strategy.

Test Strategy or Test Methodolgy is a set of guide lines that describes test design.

15.WHAT IS THE DESCRIPTIVE programming when it is useful? & when to use this ?

1st

Descriptive Programming is all about identifying an object uniquely.

descriptive programming in QTP means whenever qtp facing dificulty with obj identification then we will go with regular exp or desc prog it means identifying obj unique prop from the script itself.ex:vbwindow("").vbedit("attached text:=username").set cdbjd

2^nd answer

without using the objectrepository, and by using the objectspy we will write the DESCRIPTIVE programming .when ever we will go to DESCRIPTIVE programming :-

1.when ever objects are dynamicaly changing.

2.when ever QTP is not going to recognise the objects.

3.when ever objectrepository size is huge automatically QTP 

wil get down slow.

4.when ever not yet develop the build then only we will use

  DESCRIPTIVE programming .

16.HOW to invoke any recorded script in QTP with out using RECORD & PLAYBACK CONCEPT?

1.invoke_record (path of the record)

2.by using reusable functions and calling them in the program

17.can we run the scripts of qtp 8.2 in the qtp7.0?

No,becse 8.2 is the advansed version(add some additional properties) of 7.0.so,we run the scripts of qtp 7.0 in qtp 8.2

18.How to handle Recovery scenario in QTP. give detailed explanation about recovery scenario.

Recovery scenario manager is used to handle exception.exception is run time error,three steps to handle exceptions.

1 .trigger event:-pop-up window,object state,test run error and application crash

2.recovery operations:-select an operation to perform whenthe trigger event occurs they are 1.keyboard or mouse peration 2.close application process 3. fuction call

4.restart miscrosoft windows

3.post recovery:- select the last run operation you want to perform when the recovery operation is complect .test run options:

                   1.repeate current step and continue

                   2.preceed to next step

                   3.proceed to next action or component

                   4.proceed to next iteration 

                   5.restart current test run

                   6.stop the test run

How u perform exception handling in QTp,what is other name for ths

The other name for Exception handling is Recovery scenario.

There are 4 Triggers

1.Popup Window.

2.Object State.

3.Test Error.

4.System Crash.

The solution are 

1.Function call.

2.Keyboard or mouse Operation.

3.Restart.

19.how we can take data in the username field text box into variable in web application explain with example and give all functions to get data into variables

Any Application, it may be web or it may be window based applications, we use getroproperty() method to get the data from the Editbox.Same way if u want to set the data to the editbox we use set()method.

for example:

Dim variable name

variable name =  Browser(browser).page

(pagename).GetROproperty("Logical name")

if u want to print in dialogbox use msgbox()function OR

if u want to print in test result use reporter.reporter 

event() function

20.What are the most frequent errors you faced while executing your scripts?

We face different types of error during testing. i explain different errors below. we face these errors regularly

Unit Test : Control Statement Errors,

Integration Errors : 

            Duplicate Variables, Passing values one module to another module. Memory leakage

Blockbox testing : Object Status, Data Integration errors, 

pick values from database, Replacement of data, Boundary value errors, UI errors.

21.Among all the check points what is the most important checkpoint?

Each checkpt is impin its own respect.According to me , databaase checkpts are more imp than the other.

22.how to write script in qtp(vbscript)..i mean with out application deployed..and how to call script1 into script2?

runaction actionname(iteration mode,iteration range,parameters)

23.What is iteration? How it is related to Test Results in QTP

Here iteration means repeat the processes, with same values or different values,when You take the datadriven test with different values... the test process repeats that much of time.

24.Is it possible to map an image as standard Object or u’ve to treat as virtual? how to map an Dynamic image into standard object?

We can record the dynamic objects by using smartIdentification process.

25.Difference between image checkpoint and bitmap checkpoint

In Bitmap checkpoint, we can compare the exact images,means the source image(in Build1) with the destination image(in build2). So it compare the exact image between both the 

builds. Here, even we can check the part of images between source and destination.

where as in Image check point, we can check all the values and properties of an image. Ex. The destination address once we click on the image, image type etc.

26.what is descriptive.create()in qtp?

To create properties collection and we can create properties object(MYDescription).once we have filled properties collection with a  set of properties objects(properties,values) we can specify properties object in place of an obj name

27.how to merge object repositories?

In QTP8.2 provide a facility to add repositories.   when u installed qtp 8.2 software to show a option in Tools Merge object Repositories. Through U can add object Rep.

28.what is the Command used to start the QTp from Run.(start-> Run)

systemutil.run"path of the file"

29.What does VBS file contain..? what is VBS file.?

vbs file contains the user defined functions which are reusable that can be used in our test or compnent according to our requirement

30.what is Unicode Compatibility ? HOw does this makes a diffrence from Winrunner.?

u can Test Applns which are developed in other than English Language also. i.e QTP Supports Japanise,chinese language appls also.where as winrunner doesn't support unicode compatibility.

31.what is the Exact Meaning of Environment Variables? 2)what is Compile Module in QTP? what exactly it contains Functions or Actions?

win runner contains compile module.but qtp does not support complie module.compile module means library files in qtp ,which contains functions not the actions

32.what is the Exact Meaning of Environment Variables?

Environment Variables enables you to use the variable values from other sources during the run session. the variable values can be specified by the users or QTP can specify depending upon the conditions and options u choose.

33.Tell me the QTP Advantages and Disadvatages ?

Will be getting the initial focus on development of all new features and supported technologies. 

·  Ease of use. 

·  Simple interface. 

·  Presents the test case as a business workflow to the tester (simpler to understand). 

·  Uses a real programming language (Microsoft’sVBScript) with numerous resources  

   available. 

·  QuickTest Pro is significantly easier for a non-technical person to adapt to and create 

   working test cases, compared to WinRunner. 

·  Data table integration better and easier to use than WinRunner. 

·  Test Run Iterations/Data driving a test is easier 

   and better implement with QuickTest. 

·  Parameterization easier than WinRunner. 

·  Can enhance existing QuickTest scripts without the “Application Under Test” being 

   available; by using the ActiveScreen. 

·  Can create and implement the Microsoft Object Model (Outlook objects, ADO objects, 

   FileSystem objects, supports DOM, WSH, etc.). 

·  Better object identification mechanism. 

·  Numerous existing functions available for implementation – both from within QuickTest Pro 

   and VBScript. 

·  QTP supports .NET development environment (currently WinRunner 7.5 does not). 

·  XML support (currently WinRunner 7.5 does not). 

·  The Test Report is more robust in QuickTest 

   compared to WinRunner. 

·  Integrates with TestDirector and WinRunner (can kick off WinRunner scripts from

   QuickTest). 

Cons:

·  Currently there are fewer resources (consultants and expertise) available due to QTP being a 

   newer product on the market and because there is a greater Demand than Supply, thus fewer 

   employee/consulting resources. 

·  Must know VBScript in order to program at all. 

·  Must be able to program in VBScript in order to implement the real advance testing tasks 

   and to handle very dynamic situations. 

·  Need training to implement properly. 

·  The Object Repository (OR) and “testing environment” (paths, folders, function libraries, OR) can be difficult to understand and implement initially. 

34.How to get the column count and column name from the resultset in the database connection program?

you use following sql query

select column name, count(column name)from table name.

35.How to Test the mainframe application?(tell me few basic things)

In Order to test the mainframe applications u need to install the TERMINAL EMULATOR add-in in QTP.

36.What is throw object?

It is exception handling

37.How will you handle the situation when object is not captured during record?

While recording the object is not recognised--go for low level recording.

virtual object vizard too right. But, if u find object not 

recognised by tool before start generating script.

38.What kind of errors can b handled in QTP in real time scenario?

1)      Pop-up Window

2)      Object state

3)      Test run error

4)      Application Crash

39.What is smart identification?

Smart identification comes into picture when Quick Test fails to recognize an object uniquely using the recorded properties. It follows the following process to identify the object:  

1.  QuickTest “forgets” the recorded test object description and creates a new object candidate list containing the objects (within the object’s parent object) that match all of the properties defined in the base filter property list.

2.  From that list of objects, QuickTest filters out any object that does not match the first property listed in the Optional Filter Properties list. The remaining objects become the new object candidate list.

3.  If the new object candidate list contains more than one object, then step 2 is repeated with the second property listed in Optional Filter Properties list.

5.      Step 3&4 are repeated until an the object in recognised uniquely.

40.in how many ways you perform batchtesting?

Another way to run a batch test is to accumaulate them in the Test lab tab of TestDirector and run from there

41.What is API

Application program interface

42.What is the differnce between action & script

A sequence of  related statements are called "Action".But a script will contain more than one Action

43.Synchronozation types in QTP

1. wait()

2. inserting Synchronization point.

44. What is User defined function in QTP

User defined functions are encapsulation of segments of code which is used several times in the script.They can be either within the QTP script or can be maintained in external .VBS or .TXT files.

45.How u call functions in QTP Function to calculate the length of characters in a word -

Function countChar(st)/*Vbscript Function

charLength = Length(st)

End Function

Assume above function countChar is written in VBscript, now you are getting the text from the Application and calling the Vbscript file and gets the length of the characters in the word

Dim textValue

textValue= Browser("Browser Name").Page("Page Name").Frame

("mainFrame_5").WebElement("12").GetROProperty("innertext")

executefile "*.*countChar(textValue)" /*calling the 

Vbscript file

textlength = charLength /*getting the text length

46.How you automate testscripts one by one or moduelwise or all at once

Test Automation is process which follows the framework designed for the company. This framework varies from one  organization to other. Here are some basic steps which are 

follwed in general...

Step1: Segregate the test cases to be automated.

Step2: Prepare the test data for the selected test cases

Step3: Make scripts for repeatable or functional scenarios

Step4: Convert those scripts as Reusable functions

Step5: Make test scripts by calling the reusable functions 

and adding the conditions as per your requirements.

47.After running scripts how you report results ,there is any specific report form

syntax is

report.reportevent event status,stepname,details

Argument-1 : event status are 4 types

             1)micpass or 0

             2)micfail or 1

             3)micdone or 2

             4)micwarning or 3

Argument-2 : The status of object we are going to report

Argument-3 : The details of the object.

reportstepname:

Name of the stepname in the report(object name)

details:

details of the object

Example:

Reporter.Reportevent 0,"custom step","step passed"

or

Reporter.Reportevent micpass,"custom step","step passed"

48.Anybody explain me, the concept of checkpoint declaration in the QTP mainly for the Objects, Pages, Text and Tables ?

A checkpoint verifies that expected information is displayed in a Application while the test is running. You can add eight types of checkpoints to your test for standard web objects using QTP. Object, Page and Table checkpoints can be added using Standard check point.

1. A page checkpoint checks the characteristics of a Application 

2. An object checkpoint (Standard) checks the values of an object on a Application. 

3. A table checkpoint checks information within a table on a Application 

4. A text checkpoint checks that a text string is displayed in the appropriate place on a Application.

5.An image checkpoint checks the values of an image on a Application. 

6.An Accessiblity checkpoint checks the web page for Section 508 compliance. 

7.An XML checkpoint checks the contents of individual XML data files or XML documents that are part of your Web application.

8.A database checkpoint checks the contents of databases 

accessed by your web site

49.Take a situation when you are working with QTP, suddenly system has crashed.so you again start the system. My questyion is how can QTP directly opened when the system desktop appears.

we can set the error or event in the recovery scenarion wizard and if the system faces such situation by the recovery scenario the system will get back to the desired action or events

50.how to test background color and dynamic images during runtime

It is possible only in web applications only.by using check points we have to test the back ground colour and dynamic images.

for eg: Yahoomail page

back ground colour is blue