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QTP Interview Questions 14

2009-04-08T09:09:00.016-07:00

" What is test object model in QTP?
The test object model is a large set of object types or classes that Quick Test uses to represent the objects in your application. Each test object class has a list of properties that can uniquely identify objects of that class and a set of relevant methods that Quick Test can record for it. A test object is an object that Quick Test creates in the test or component to represent the actual object in your application. Quick Test stores information about the object that will help it identify and check the object during the run session.

What is Object Spy in QTP?
Using the Object Spy, you can view the properties of any object in an open application. You use the Object Spy pointer to point to an object. The Object Spy displays the selected object’s hierarchy tree and its properties and values in the Properties tab of the Object Spy dialog box.

What is the Diff between Image check-point and Bit map Check point?
Image checkpoints enable you to check the properties of a Web image. You can check an area of a Web page or application as a bitmap. While creating a test or component, you specify the area you want to check by selecting an object. You can check an entire object or any area within an object. Quick Test captures the specified object as a bitmap, and inserts a checkpoint in the test or component. You can also choose to save only the selected area of the object with your test or component in order to save disk Space. For example, suppose you have a Web site that can display a map of a city the user specifies. The map has control keys for zooming. You can record the new map that is displayed after one click on the control key that zooms in the map. Using the bitmap checkpoint, you can check that the map zooms in correctly. You can create bitmap checkpoints for all supported testing environments (as long as the appropriate add-ins are loaded). Note: The results of bitmap checkpoints may be affected by factors such as operating system, screen resolution, and color settings.

How many ways we can parameterize data in QTP?
There are four types of parameters: Test, action or component parameters enable you to use values passed from your test or component, or values from other actions in your test. Data Table parameters enable you to create a data-driven test (or action) that runs several times using the data you supply. In each repetition, or iteration, Quick Test uses a different value from the Data Table. Environment variable parameters enable you to use variable values from other sources during the run session. These may be values you supply, or values that Quick Test generates for you based on conditions and options you choose. Random number parameters enable you to insert random numbers as values in your test or component. For example, to check how your application handles small and large ticket orders, you can have Quick Test generate a random number and insert it in a number of tickets edit field.

How do u do batch testing in WR & is it possible to do in QTP, if so explain?
Batch Testing in WR is nothing but running the whole test set by selecting Run Test set from the Execution Grid. The same is possible with QTP also. If our test cases are automated then by selecting Run Test set all the test scripts can be executed. In this process the Scripts get executed one by one by keeping all the remaining scripts in Waiting mode.

If I give some thousand tests to execute in 2 days what do u do?
Adhoc testing is done. It Covers the least basic functionalities to verify that the system is working fine.

What does it mean when a check point is in red color? what do u do?
A red color indicates failure. Here we analyze the cause for failure whether it is a Script Issue or Environment Issue or a Application issue.

"

QTP Interview Questions 13

2009-04-08T09:09:00.015-07:00

" Explain the QTP Tool interface.
It contains the following key elements: Title bar, displaying the name of the currently open test, Menu bar, displaying menus of Quick Test commands, File toolbar, containing buttons to assist you in managing tests, Test toolbar, containing buttons used while creating and maintaining tests, Debug toolbar, containing buttons used while debugging tests. Note: The Debug toolbar is not displayed when you open Quick Test for the first time. You can display the Debug toolbar by choosing View — Toolbars — Debug. Action toolbar, containing buttons and a list of actions, enabling you to view the details of an individual action or the entire test flow. Note: The Action toolbar is not displayed when you open Quick Test for the first time. You can display the Action toolbar by choosing View — Toolbars — Action. If you insert a reusable or external action in a test, the Action toolbar is displayed automatically. Test pane, containing two tabs to view your test-the Tree View and the Expert View ,Test Details pane, containing the Active Screen. Data Table, containing two tabs, Global and Action, to assist you in parameterizing your test. Debug Viewer pane, containing three tabs to assist you in debugging your test-Watch Expressions, Variables, and Command. (The Debug Viewer pane can be opened only when a test run pauses at a breakpoint.) Status bar, displaying the status of the test

How does QTP recognize Objects in AUT?
Quick Test stores the definitions for application objects in a file called the Object Repository. As you record your test, Quick Test will add an entry for each item you interact with. Each Object Repository entry will be identified by a logical name (determined automatically by Quick Test), and will contain a set of properties (type, name, etc) that uniquely identify each object. Each line in the Quick Test script will contain a reference to the object that you interacted with, a call to the appropriate method (set, click, check) and any parameters for that method (such as the value for a call to the set method). The references to objects in the script will all be identified by the logical name, rather than any physical, descriptive properties.

What are the types of Object Repositories in QTP?
Quick Test has two types of object repositories for storing object information: shared object repositories and action object repositories. You can choose which type of object repository you want to use as the default type for new tests, and you can change the default as necessary for each new test. The object repository per-action mode is the default setting. In this mode, Quick Test automatically creates an object repository file for each action in your test so that you can create and run tests without creating, choosing, or modifying object repository files. However, if you do modify values in an action object repository, your changes do not have any effect on other actions. Therefore, if the same test object exists in more than one action and you modify an object’s property values in one action, you may need to make the same change in every action (and any test) containing the object.

Explain the check points in QTP?

A checkpoint verifies that expected information is displayed in an Application while the test is running. You can add eight types of checkpoints to your test for standard web objects using QTP. A page checkpoint checks the characteristics of an Application. A text checkpoint checks that a text string is displayed in the appropriate place on an Application. An object checkpoint (Standard) checks the values of an object on an Application. An image checkpoint checks the values of an image on an Application. A table checkpoint checks information within a table on a Application. An Accessibilityy checkpoint checks the web page for Section 508 compliance. An XML checkpoint checks the contents of individual XML data files or XML documents that are part of your Web application. A database checkpoint checks the contents of databases accessed by your web site

In how many ways we can add check points to an application using QTP?
We can add checkpoints while recording the application or we can add after recording is completed using Active screen (Note : To perform the second one The Active screen must be enabled while recording).

How does QTP identify objects in the application?
QTP identifies the object in the application by Logical Name and Class.

What is Parameterizing Tests?
When you test your application, you may want to check how it performs the same operations with multiple sets of data. For example, suppose you want to check how your application responds to ten separate sets of data. You could record ten separate tests, each with its own set of data. Alternatively, you can create a parameterized test that runs ten times: each time the test runs, it uses a different set of data.

"

QTP Interview Questions 12

2009-04-08T09:09:00.014-07:00

" What is keyword view and Expert view in QTP?
Quick Test’s Keyword Driven approach, test automation experts have full access to the underlying test and object properties, via an integrated scripting and debugging environment that is round-trip synchronized with the Keyword View. Advanced testers can view and edit their tests in the Expert View, which reveals the underlying industry-standard VBScript that Quick Test Professional automatically generates. Any changes made in the Expert View are automatically synchronized with the Keyword View.

Explain about the Test Fusion Report of QTP?
Once a tester has run a test, a Test Fusion report displays all aspects of the test run: a high-level results overview, an expandable Tree View of the test specifying exactly where application failures occurred, the test data used, application screen shots for every step that highlight any discrepancies, and detailed explanations of each checkpoint pass and failure. By combining Test Fusion reports with Quick Test Professional, you can share reports across an entire QA and development team.

Which environments does QTP support?
Quick Test Professional supports functional testing of all enterprise environments, including Windows, Web,..NET, Java/J2EE, SAP, Siebel, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Visual Basic, ActiveX, mainframe terminal emulators, and Web services.

Explain QTP Testing process?
Quick Test testing process consists of 6 main phases:
Create your test plan
Prior to automating there should be a detailed description of the test including the exact steps to follow, data to be input, and all items to be verified by the test. The verification information should include both data validations and existence or state verifications of objects in the application.
Recording a session on your application
As you navigate through your application, Quick Test graphically displays each step you perform in the form of a collapsible icon-based test tree. A step is any user action that causes or makes a change in your site, such as clicking a link or image, or entering data in a form.
Enhancing your test
Inserting checkpoints into your test lets you search for a specific value of a page, object or text string, which helps you identify whether or not your application is functioning correctly. NOTE: Checkpoints can be added to a test as you record it or after the fact via the Active Screen. It is much easier and faster to add the checkpoints during the recording process. Broadening the scope of your test by replacing fixed values with parameters lets you check how your application performs the same operations with multiple sets of data. Adding logic and conditional statements to your test enables you to add sophisticated checks to your test.
Debugging your test
If changes were made to the script, you need to debug it to check that it operates smoothly and without interruption.
Running your test on a new version of your application
You run a test to check the behavior of your application. While running, Quick Test connects to your application and performs each step in your test.
Analyzing the test results
You examine the test results to pinpoint defects in your application.
Reporting defects
As you encounter failures in the application when analyzing test results, you will create defect reports in Defect Reporting Tool.

"

QTP Interview Questions 11

2009-04-08T09:09:00.013-07:00

What is QTP?
Quick Test Pro is a graphical interface record-playback automation tool. It is able to work with any web, java or windows client application. Quick Test enables you to test standard web objects and ActiveX controls. In addition to these environments, Quick Test Professional also enables you to test Java applets and applications and multimedia objects on Applications as well as standard Windows applications, Visual Basic 6 applications and.NET framework applications

What are the Features & Benefits of Quick Test Pro (QTP 8.0)?
Operates stand-alone, or integrated into Mercury Business Process Testing and Mercury Quality Center. Introduces next-generation zero-configuration Keyword Driven testing technology in Quick Test Professional 8.0 allowing for fast test creation, easier maintenance, and more powerful data-driving capability. Identifies objects with Unique Smart Object Recognition, even if they change from build to build, enabling reliable unattended script execution. Collapses test documentation and test creation to a single step with Auto-documentation technology. Enables thorough validation of applications through a full complement of checkpoints.

How to handle the exceptions using recovery scenario manager in QTP?
There are 4 trigger events during which a recovery scenario should be activated. A pop up window appears in an opened application during the test run: A property of an object changes its state or value, A step in the test does not run successfully, An open application fails during the test run, These triggers are considered as exceptions.You can instruct QTP to recover unexpected events or errors that occurred in your testing environment during test run. Recovery scenario manager provides a wizard that guides you through the defining recovery scenario. Recovery scenario has three steps: 1. Triggered Events 2. Recovery steps 3. Post Recovery Test-Run

What is the use of Text output value in QTP?

Output values enable to view the values that the application talks during run time. When parameterized, the values change for each iteration. Thus by creating output values, we can capture the values that the application takes for each run and output them to the data table.

How to use the Object spy in QTP 8.0 version?

There are two ways to Spy the objects in QTP: 1) Thru file toolbar, In the File Toolbar click on the last toolbar button (an icon showing a person with hat). 2) True Object repository Dialog, In Object repository dialog click on the button object spy. In the Object spy Dialog click on the button showing hand symbol. The pointer now changes in to a hand symbol and we have to point out the object to spy the state of the object if at all the object is not visible. or window is minimized then, hold the Ctrl button and activate the required window to and release the Ctrl button.

How Does Run time data (Parameterization) is handled in QTP?
You can then enter test data into the Data Table, an integrated spreadsheet with the full functionality of Excel, to manipulate data sets and create multiple test iterations, without programming, to expand test case coverage. Data can be typed in or imported from databases, spreadsheets, or text files.

QTP Interview Questions 10

2009-04-08T09:09:00.012-07:00

Full form of QTP ?

Quick Test Professional

What’s the QTP ?

QTP is Mercury Interactive Functional Testing Tool.

Which scripting language used by QTP ?

QTP uses VB scripting.

What’s the basic concept of QTP ?

QTP is based on two concept-
* Recording
* Playback

How many types of recording facility are available in QTP ?

QTP provides three types of recording methods-
* Context Recording (Normal)
* Analog Recording
* Low Level Recording

How many types of Parameters are available in QTP ?

QTP provides three types of Parameter-
* Method Argument
* Data Driven
* Dynamic

What’s the QTP testing process ?

QTP testing process consist of seven steps-
* Preparing to recoding
* Recording
* Enhancing your script
* Debugging
* Run
* Analyze
* Report Defects

What’s the Active Screen ?

It provides the snapshots of your application as it appeared when you performed a certain steps during recording session.

What’s the Test Pane ?

Test Pane contains Tree View and Expert View tabs.

What’s Data Table ?

It assists to you about parameterizing the test.

What’s the Test Tree ?

It provides graphical representation of your operations which you have performed with your application.

Which all environment QTP supports ?

ERP/ CRM
Java/ J2EE
VB, .NET
Multimedia, XML
Web Objects, ActiveX controls
SAP, Oracle, Siebel, PeopleSoft
Web Services, Terminal Emulator
IE, NN, AOL

How can you view the Test Tree ?

The Test Tree is displayed through Tree View tab.

What’s the Expert View ?

Expert View display the Test Script.

Which keyword used for Nornam Recording ?

F3

Which keyword used for run the test script ?

F5

Which keyword used for stop the recording ?

F4

Which keyword used for Analog Recording ?

Ctrl+Shift+F4

Which keyword used for Low Level Recording ?

Ctrl+Shift+F3

Which keyword used for switch between Tree View and Expert View ?

Ctrl+Tab

What’s the Transaction ?

You can measure how long it takes to run a section of your test by defining transactions.

Where you can view the results of the checkpoint ?

You can view the results of the checkpoints in the Test Result Window.

What’s the Standard Checkpoint ?

Standard Checkpoints checks the property value of an object in your application or web page.

Which environment are supported by Standard Checkpoint ?

Standard Checkpoint are supported for all add-in environments.

What’s the Image Checkpoint ?

Image Checkpoint check the value of an image in your application or web page.

Which environments are supported by Image Checkpoint ?

Image Checkpoint are supported only Web environment.

What’s the Bitmap Checkpoint ?

Bitmap Checkpoint checks the bitmap images in your web page or application.

Which environment are supported by Bitmap Checkpoints ?

Bitmap checkpoints are supported all add-in environment.

What’s the Table Checkpoints ?

Table Checkpoint checks the information with in a table.

Which environments are supported by Table Checkpoint ?

Table Checkpoints are supported only ActiveX environment.

What’s the Text Checkpoint ?

Text Checkpoint checks that a test string is displayed in the appropriate place in your application or on web page.

Which environment are supported by Test Checkpoint ?

Text Checkpoint are supported all add-in environments

QTP Interview Questions 9

2009-04-08T09:09:00.011-07:00

13. What is a Run-Time Data Table? Where can I find and view this table?

In QTP, there is data table used, which is used at runtime.
-In QTP, select the option View->Data table.
-This is basically an excel file, which is stored in the folder of the test created, its name is Default.xls by default.

14. How does Parameterization and Data-Driving relate to each other in QTP?

To data driven we have to parameterize. i.e. we have to make the constant value as parameter, so that in each interaction(cycle) it takes a value that is supplied in run-time data table. Through parameterization only we can drive a transaction (action) with different sets of data. You know running the script with the same set of data several times is not suggested, and it’s also of no use.

15. What is the difference between Call to Action and Copy Action.?

Call to Action: The changes made in Call to Action, will be reflected in the original action (from where the script is called). But where as in Copy Action , the changes made in the script ,will not effect the original script(Action)

16. Explain the concept of how QTP identifies object.

During recording qtp looks at the object and stores it as test object. For each test object QT learns a set of default properties called mandatory properties, and look at the rest of the objects to check whether this properties are enough to uniquely identify the object. During test run, QTP searches for the run time objects that matches with the test object it learned while recording.

17. Differentiate the two Object Repository Types of QTP.

Object repository is used to store all the objects in the application being tested.
Types of object repository: Per action and shared repository.
In shared repository only one centralized repository for all the tests. where as in per action for each test a separate per action repository is created.

18. What the differences are and best practical application of Object Repository?

Per Action: For Each Action, one Object Repository is created.
Shared: One Object Repository is used by entire application

19. Explain what the difference between Shared Repository and Per Action Repository

Shared Repository: Entire application uses one Object Repository , that similar to Global GUI Map file in WinRunner
Per Action: For each Action, one Object Repository is created, like GUI map file per test in WinRunner

20. Have you ever written a compiled module? If yes tell me about some of the functions that you wrote.

Sample answer (You can tell about modules you worked on. If your answer is Yes then You should expect more questions and should be able to explain those modules in later questions): I Used the functions for Capturing the dynamic data during runtime. Function used for Capturing Desktop, browser and pages.

21. Can you do more than just capture and playback?

Sample answer (Say Yes only if you worked on): I have done Dynamically capturing the objects during runtime in which no recording, no playback and no use of repository is done AT ALL.
-It was done by the windows scripting using the DOM(Document Object Model) of the windows.

22. How to do the scripting. Are there any inbuilt functions in QTP? What is the difference between them? How to handle script issues?

Yes, there’s an in-built functionality called “Step Generator” in Insert->Step->Step Generator -F7, which will generate the scripts as you enter the appropriate steps.

23. What is the difference between check point and output value?

An output value is a value captured during the test run and entered in the run-time but to a specified location.
EX:-Location in Data Table[Global sheet / local sheet]

24. How many types of Actions are there in QTP?

There are three kinds of actions:
Non-reusable action - An action that can be called only in the test with which it is stored, and can be called only once.
Reusable action - An action that can be called multiple times by the test with which it is stored (the local test) as well as by other tests.
External action - A reusable action stored with another test. External actions are read-only in the calling test, but you can choose to use a local, editable copy of the Data Table information for the external action.

25. I want to open a Notepad window without recording a test and I do not want to use System utility Run command as well. How do I do this?

You can still make the notepad open without using the record or System utility script, just by mentioning the path of the notepad “( i.e. where the notepad.exe is stored in the system) in the “Windows Applications Tab” of the “Record and Run Settings window.

QTP Interview Questions 8

2009-04-08T09:09:00.010-07:00

1. What are the features and benefits of Quick Test Pro(QTP)?

1. Key word driven testing
2. Suitable for both client server and web based application
3. VB script as the script language
4. Better error handling mechanism
5. Excellent data driven testing features

2. How to handle the exceptions using recovery scenario manager in QTP?

You can instruct QTP to recover unexpected events or errors that occurred in your testing environment during test run. Recovery scenario manager provides a wizard that guides you through the defining recovery scenario. Recovery scenario has three steps
1. Triggered Events
2. Recovery steps
3. Post Recovery Test-Run

3. What is the use of Text output value in QTP?

Output values enable to view the values that the application talks during run time. When parameterized, the values change for each iteration. Thus by creating output values, we can capture the values that the application takes for each run and output them to the data table.

4. How to use the Object spy in QTP 8.0 version?

There are two ways to Spy the objects in QTP
1) Thru file toolbar: In the File ToolBar click on the last toolbar button (an icon showing a person with hat).
2) Thru Object repository Dialog: In Objectrepository dialog click on the button “object spy…” In the Object spy Dialog click on the button showing hand symbol. The pointer now changes in to a hand symbol and we have to point out the object to spy the state of the object. If at all the object is not visible or window is minimized then hold the Ctrl button and activate the required window to and release the Ctrl button.

5. What is the file extension of the code file and object repository file in QTP?
File extension of
Per test object rep: filename.mtr
Shared Object rep: filename.tsr
Code file extension id: script.mts

6. Explain the concept of object repository and how QTP recognizes objects?

Object Repository: displays a tree of all objects in the current component or in the current action or entire test( depending on the object repository mode you selected).
we can view or modify the test object description of any test object in the repository or to add new objects to the repository.
Quicktest learns the default property values and determines in which test object class it fits. If it is not enough it adds assistive properties, one by one to the description until it has compiled the unique description. If no assistive properties are available, then it adds a special Ordianl identifier such as objects location on the page or in the source code.

7. What are the properties you would use for identifying a browser and page when using descriptive programming?

“name” would be another property apart from “title” that we can use. OR
We can also use the property “micClass”.
ex: Browser(”micClass:=browser”).page(”micClass:=page”)

8. What are the different scripting languages you could use when working with QTP?

You can write scripts using following languages:
Visual Basic (VB), XML, JavaScript, Java, HTML

9. Tell some commonly used Excel VBA functions.

Common functions are:
Coloring the cell, Auto fit cell, setting navigation from link in one cell to other saving

10. Explain the keyword createobject with an example.

Creates and returns a reference to an Automation object
syntax: CreateObject(servername.typename [, location])
Arguments
servername:Required. The name of the application providing the object.
typename : Required. The type or class of the object to create.
location : Optional. The name of the network server where the object is to be created.

11. Explain in brief about the QTP Automation Object Model.

Essentially all configuration and run functionality provided via the QuickTest interface is in some way represented in the QuickTest automation object model via objects, methods, and properties. Although a one-on-one comparison cannot always be made, most dialog boxes in QuickTest have a corresponding automation object, most options in dialog boxes can be set and/or retrieved using the corresponding object property, and most menu commands and other operations have corresponding automation methods. You can use the objects, methods, and properties exposed by the QuickTest automation object model, along with standard programming elements such as loops and conditional statements to design your program.

12. How to handle dynamic objects in QTP?

QTP has a unique feature called Smart Object Identification/recognition. QTP generally identifies an object by matching its test object and run time object properties. QTP may fail to recognize the dynamic objects whose properties change during run time. Hence it has an option of enabling Smart Identification, wherein it can identify the objects even if their properties changes during run time.

"

QTP Interview Questions 7

2009-04-08T09:09:00.009-07:00

"1.How do you test Siebel Application using QTP?
In SWE section you need to add automation enable = True. Under the same time you need to use SWE Cmd = Auto On in the URL.

2. How many types of actions are there in QTP?
QTP supports three types of actions.
1) non re-usable actions
2) re usable actions
3) external actions.

3.How do you data drive an external spreed sheet?
Import from external spreed sheet file by selecting import then from file. Which imports a tabbed text file or a single sheet from an existing Microsoft excel file in to the table. The sheet you import replace all data in a currently selected sheet.

4. I want to open a notepad window without recording a test and I do not want to use system util. run command as well how do I do this?
Another alternative to open a notepad is to use shell object. Check out with the following example.
Dim a
set a = wscript.create object (”wscript.shell”)
a.run “notepad.exe”.

5. how many types of recording modes in QTP? Describe each type with an example
where we use them?
Three types of recording modes in QTP.
1) NORMAL
2) ANALOG MODE
3) LOW LEVEL RECORDING MODE.

6. How can we do the frame work in QTP?
Depending upon the project and client requirements.

7.Testing > QTP which features of QTP would you like improve? How would you go about implementing it?
We are not implementing any concept in QTP.

8.Explain how would you design the driver code for a keyboard based test script?
Test script prepare in QTP.
Keywords prepare in a excel sheet and objects description prepare in a notepad.

9.What is the file extension of shared object repository?
The shared object repository is .tsr extension.

10. How to handle java tree in QTP?
First of all we need to handle a java add- in to handle a java tree. In tools we have the object identification drop down list. There we have the java option to recognize the objects there select the tree option. Add the properties.

11. How to fetch test data from data base by using QTP?
In order to fetch test data from dat base we have to create a Adodb connection object to connect with data base. The syntax is create object (”Adodb.connectin”).

12. What is the procedure to test flash application using QTP?
Using multimedia add- in support.

13. If a error aoccur during the execution of QTP scropt? How can we handle it?
Using recovery scenario manager.

14. How to merge the object repository files?
Using a repository merge tool. It is available with QT Plus Tool.

15. Can we update the data base through QTP?
Yes. We can

"

QTP Interview Questions 6

2009-04-08T09:09:00.008-07:00

"1.Object Repository types, which and when to use?
Deciding which object repository mode to choose the default object repository mode and appropriate object repository mode for each test, you need to understand the differences between the two modes.
In general; the object repository per action mode is easiest to use when you r creating simple recored and run tests, especially under the following conditions.
You have only one or very few, tests that correspond to a given application interface or set of objects.
You do not expert to frequently modify test object properties. You generally create single action tests conversely, the shared object repository mode is generally the preferred mode when you have several test that test elements of the same application, interface or set of objects.
you expert the object properties in your application to change from time to time and / or you regularly need to up date or modify test object properties.
You often work with multi action tests and regularly use insert copy of action and insert called to action options.

2. Can we script any test case with out having object repository ? or using object repository is a must?
No. You can script with out object repository by knowing the window handlers, spying and recognizing the objects logical names and properties available.

3. How to execute a WR script in QTP?
a)TSL tset.run test, test path, test set.[parameters]–>used in QTP 6.0 for backward compatibility.
Parameters:the test set with in quality center, in which test runs are stored. Note that this argument is relevant only when working with a test in a quality center project.When the test is not saved in a quality center, this parameter is ignored. Ex . TSL test.run test “D:\Tset1″
B) TSL test.runtestex testpsth,run minimize, close app [parameter] TSL test.runtestex “C:\Win Runner/Tests/Basic_Flight”,True,False,”My Value”.
Close App:indicates whether to close the WR application when the WR tset run ends.
Parameter: up to 15 WR function argument.

4.How to handle time errors?
On Error Resume next:causes execution to continue with the statement immediately following the statement that causes the run time error, or with the statement immediately following tie most recent call out of the procedure containing the on error resumes next statement.
This allows execution to continue despite a run time error. you can then build the error handling routine inline with in the procedure using “Err” object MSG box “error no:” “&Err.no&”.”&Err.description” “&Err.source&Err.help context”.

5.How to change the run time value of property for an object?
Set to property changes the property values used to identify an object during the test run. Only properties that are included in the test object description can be set.

6. How to retrieve the property of an object?
Using GETRO property.

7. How to open any application during scripting?
Systemutil, object used to open and close applications and processes during a run session. A systemutil.run statement is automatically added to your test when you run an application from the start menu or the run dialog box while recording a test. Ex. sytemutil.run “notepad.exe”
systemutil.close descendant processes (closes all the processes open by QTP ).

8.Types of properties that QTP learns while recording?
Mandatory and assistive. In addition to recording the mandatory and assistive properties specified in the object identification dialog box, QTP can also record a backup ordinal identifier for each test object. The ordinal identifier assigns the object in numerical value that indicates it’s order relative to other objects with an otherwise identical description (objects that have the same vales foe all properties specified in the mandatory and assistive property list). This ordered value enable QTP to create a unique description when the mandatory and assistive properties are not sufficient to do so.

9.What is the extension of script and object repository files?
Object repository: .TSR, script: .MTS, Excel: default.ELS

10. How to suppress warning from the test result page?
From the test result viewer “tools > filters > warnings ” must be unchecked.

11.When we try to use test run option run from step, the browser is not launching automatically? Why?
This is default behavior.

12. Does QTP is unicode compatible ?
QTP 6.5 is not but QTP 8.0 is expected to be Unicode compatible by end of Dec 2004.

13.How to turn off QTP results after running a script?
Go to tools > option > run tab and deselect view results when run session ends. But this suppresses only the result window, but a log will be created and can viewed manually which can not be restricted from getting created.

14.How to get font size of a web edit?

15. Is there any way to automatically update the data source name in data base checkpoints object when we migrate test to a new release?

16. How to verify the cursor focus of a certain field?
Use focus property of GETRO property method

17.Any limitation to XML check points ?
Mercury has determined that 1.4mb is the maximum size of XML file that QTP 6.5 can handle.

18. How to make arguments optional in a function?
This is not possible as default VBS does not support this. Instead you can pass a blank scoring and have a default value if arguments are not required.

19. How to convert a sting to an integer?
CInt ()—> a conversion function available.

20. Inserting a call to action is not importing all columns in data table of global sheet. Why?
Inserting a call to action will only import the columns of the action called

"

QTP Interview Questions 5

2009-04-08T09:09:00.007-07:00

1. How to add a Run-time parameter data sheet?

Datatable.localsheet
The following example, uses the Local Sheet property to return the Local Sheet of the run time data table in order to add a parameter(column) to it.
My parameter = DataTable. LocalSheet.AddParameter(”Time”, “5.45″)

2. What scripting language is used in QTP?
VB scripting

3. Analyzing the Checkpoint results
Standard Checkpoint : By adding standard checkpoints to your checks or components, you can compare the expected values of objects properties to the object’s current values during the run session, if the results doesn’t match the check point fails.

4. How to create a Run-time property for an object?

5. Table and DataBase(DB) checkpoints
By adding Table checkpoints to your tests or components we can check that a specified value is displayed in a cell in a table on your application. By adding DB checkpoints to your tests or components you can check the contents of database accessed by your application. The Results displayed for table and database checkpoints are similar. When you run tests or components QTP compares the expected results of the checkpoints to the actual results of the run session, if the results do not match the checkpoint fails.
You can check that a specified value is displayed in a cell in a table by adding a table checkpoint to your test or component.
For ActiveX tables, you can also check the properties of the table objects. To add a table checkpoint you use the checkpoint properties of dialog box. Table checkpoints are supports for web and ActiveX applications as well as for variety of External Add-in environments.
You can use Database checkpoints in your tests or components to check databases accessed by your websites or application and to delete defects. You define a query on your database, and then you create a database checkpoint that checks the results of the query. Database checkpoints are supported for all environments supported by QTP by default as well as for variety of external Add-in environments.
There are two ways to define a database query.
a. Use Microsoft Query. you can Install Microsoft Query from the custom installation of Microsoft office.
b. Manually define an Sql statement.
The checkpoints time out option is available only when creating a table checkpoint.
That is not available when creating a database checkpoints.

6. Checking Bitmaps.
You can check an area of a web page or application as bitmap. While creating a test or a components you specify the area you want to check by selecting an object. You can check an entire object or any area with in an object. QTP captures the specified object as bit map and inserts a checkpoint in the test or component.
You can also choose to save only the selected area of the object with your test or component in order to save disk space.
When you run the test or component QTP compares the object or selected area of the object currently displayed of the web page or the application with the bitmap stored when the test or component was recorded. If there are any differences QTP captures bitmap of the actual object and displays it with the expected bitmap in the details portion of the test results window.
By comparing the two bitmaps(Expected and Actual) you can identify the nature of the discrepancy for more information on the test results of a checkpoint, see viewing checkpoint results.
For example, suppose you have a website that can display a map of a city the user specify that map has control keys for zooming.
You can record the new map i.e displayed after one check on the control key that zooms in the map. Using the bitmap checkpoint, you can check that the map zooms in correctly.
You can create bitmap checkpoint, all supported testing environments (as long as the appropriate add-ins are loaded)

Note: The result of bitmap check point may be effected by factors such as OS, Screen Resolutions and color settings.

7. Text/Text area checkpoint
In the Text/Text area checkpoint propertied dialog box, you can specify the text to be checked as well as which text is displayed before and after the checked text. These configuration options are particularly helpful when the text string you want to check appears several times or when it could change in a predictable way during the run session
Note: In windows based environment. If there is more than one line of text selected, the checkpoint summary pane display (complex value ) instead of the selected text for the checkpoint.
QTP automatically displays the checked text in red and the text before and after the checked text in blue.
For text area checkpoints only the text string captured from the defined area is displayed(Text before and text after are not displayed)
To designate the parts of the captured string as checked text and other parts as text before and text after, click configure button.
The configure text selection dialog box opens.
Checking XML : XML (Extensible Markup language)is a Meta-Markup language for test documents i.e endorsed as a standard by the WC3.XML makes the complex data structure portable between different computer environments or operating systems and programming languages, facilitating the sharing of data.
XML files contain text with simple tags that describe the data within an XML documents these describe the data content, but not the presentation of the data.
Application that display and XML documents or file use either cascading style sheets of the XSL formatting objects(XSL-FO) to present the data.
You can verify the data content of XML files by inserting XML checkpoints. A few common uses of XML checkpoints are described below
An XML file can be a static data file i.e accessed in order to retrieve commonly used data for which a quick response time is needed. For example, country names, zip codes or area codes although this data can be changes over time it is normally quite static.
You can use an XML checkpoint to validate that the data has not changed from one application released to another.
An XML file can consists of elements with attributes and values(character data).
There is parent and child relationship between the elements, and elements can have attributes associated with them. If any part of the structure(including data) changes the applications ability to process the XML file may be effected. Using an XML checkpoint you can check the content of an element to make sure that its, attributes, and values have not changed.
XML files are often an intermediary that retrieves dynamically changing data from 1 system.
The data is then accessed by another system using document type definitions(DTD) enabling the accessing system to read and display the information in the file. You can use an xml checkpoint and parameterize the captured data values in order to check an xml document or file whose data changes in a predictable way.
XML documents and files often needed a well defined structure in order to be portable across platforms and development systems. One way to accomplish elements this is by developing and XML scheme which describes the structure of XML elements and data types. You can use scheme validation to check that each item of content in an xml file adheres to the scheme description of the elements in which the content is to be placed

QTP Interview Questions 4

2009-04-08T09:09:00.006-07:00

1. How many ways we can parameterize data in QTP?
There are four types of parameters
1. Test Action or Component Parameters enable you to use values passed from your test or component or values from other actions in your test.
2. Data Table parameters enable you to create a data driven test or an act.
That runs several times using the data you supply.In each repeation or iteration quick test uses a Different value from the data table.
3. Environment variable parameters enable you to use variable values from other sources during the run sessions. these may be values you supply, or values that QTP generates for you based on conditions and options you choose.
4. Random number parameters enable you to insert random numbers as values in your test or component.
For example, to check how your application handles small and large ticked orders, you can have QTP generate a random number and insert it in a number of tickets edit field.

2. How do you do Batch testing Winrunner and is it possible to do in QTP? If So, Explain?
Batch testing in Winrunner is nothing but running the whole test set by selecting “Run Test Set” from the “Execution Grid”. The same is possible with QTP also. If our test cases are automated then by selecting ” Run test Set” all the test scripts can be executed.
With this process the scripts get executed one by one keeping all the remaining scripts in “Waiting Mode”.

3. If I give some 1000 tests to execute in 2days what do you do?
Adhoc Testing is done. It covers the least basic functionalities to verify that the system is working fine.

4. What does it mean when a checkpoint is in red color? What do you do?
Red color indicates failure. Here we analyze the cause for the failure whether it is a script issue or environmental issue or a application issue.

5. What do you call the Window Testing Director test lab?
“Execution grid” it is placed from where we run all the manual/automated scripts.

6. How do you create new test sets in test director?
Login to TD.
Click on “Test Lab” Tab.
Select the desired folder under which we need to create the test set.(Test sets can be grouped as per module).
Click on “New test set or Control N” Icon to create a test set.

7. How to import data from a “.XLS” file to data table during run time?
Data table .Import “…XLS filename…”
Datatable .Import sheet (FileName, SheetSource, SheetDest)
Datatable>Importsheet “C:\name.Xls”, 1, “name”

8. How to export data present in Database to an “.XLS” file?
Datatable .Export “…xls filename…”

9. How to get traceability matrix from TD?

10. How to import a test case present in “.XLS” file to TD under a test set?

11. How to attach a file to Test director?

12. What do you do to script when objects or removed from application?

13. Syntax for how to call one script from another? and syntax to call one action in another?

Run Action Action Name,[IterationMode, IterationRange, Parameters] here the actions becomes reusable on making this call to any action.
IterationRange string not always required. Indicates the rows for which action iterations will be performed. Valid only when the iterationMode is rnfinteration. Enter the row range (i.e “1.7″): or enter rngAll to run iterations on all rows.
If the actions called by the RunAction statement includes an ExitAction statement, the Run Action
Statement can return the value of the ExitActions Ret Val arguement.

14. How to export QTP results to an “.xls” file?
By default it creates an “XML” file and displays the results.

15. What are the Differences between QTP and Winrunner?
QTP is Object based scripting (VB) where as WR is TSL ( C based language) Scripting.
QTP supports “.Net” application automation not available in WR
QTP has “Active Screen” support which captures the application not available in WR.
QTP has “Data Table to store script values, variables which WR does not have.
Using a “point and click” capability you can easily interface with objects, their.
Definitions and create checkpoints after having record script without having.
To navigate back to that location in your application like you have to with WinRunner.
This greatly speeds up script development

QTP Interview Questions 3

2009-04-08T09:09:00.005-07:00

1.How does Run Time data ( Parameterization ) is handle in QTP?
You can then enter test data into data table, an integrated spreadsheet with the full functionality or excel, to manipulate test data sets and create multiple test iterations, with out programming, to expand test case coverage. Data can typed in or imported from data bases, spreadsheets or text files.

2. What is keyboard view and expert view in QTP?
Quick tests key board driven approach test automation experts have full access to the underlying test and object properties, via an integrated scripting and debugging environment that is round trip synchronized with the key bored view. Advance testers can view and edit their tests in expert view, which reveals the underlying industry standards vb script that QTP automatically generates. Any changes made in expert view are automatically synchronized with the keyboard view.

3. Explain about the test fusion report of QTP?
Once a tester runs a test, a test fusion report displays all the aspects of the test run a high level results over view, an expandable tree view of the test specifying exactly where application failures occurred, the test data used , applications screen shots per every step that highlight any discrepancies, and detailed explanation of each check point pass and failure, by combining test fusion reports with QTP you can share reports across an entire QA and development team.

4.To which environments does QTP supports?
QTP supports functional testing of all enterprise environments, including Windows, Web, .Net, Java, j2EE, SAP, Sieble, Oracle, Peoplesoft, Visual Basic, ActiveX, Mainframe terminal emulators and Web services.

5.What is QTP?
Quick Test is a graphical interface record-playback automation tool. It is able to work with any web, java or windows client application. Quick Teat enables you to test standard web objects and ActiveX controls. In addition to these environments QTP also enables you to test java applets and applications and multimedia objects on applications as well as standard windows applications, Visual Basic 6 applications and .Net framework applications

6.How QTP recognizes Objects in AUT?
Quick Test stores the definitions for applications objects in a file called the Object Repository. As you record your test, Quick Test will add an entry for each item you interact with. Each Object Repository entry will be identified by a logical name ( determined automatically by Quick Test), and will contain a set of properties ( type, name etc ) that uniquely identify each object.
Each line in the Quick Test script will contain a reference to the object that you interacted with a call to the appropriate method ( set, click,check) and any parameters for method ( such as the valve for a call to the set method). The references to objects in the script will all be identified by the logical name, rather than any physical, descriptive properties.

7.What are the types of Object Repositories in QTP?
Quick Test has two types of object repositories for storing object information: shared object repositories and action object repositories. You can choose which type of object repository you want to use as the default type for new test.
The object repository per-action mode is the default setting.In this mode, Quick Test automatically creates an object repository file for each action in your test so
that you can create and run tests without creating, choosing, or modifying object repository files.However, if you do modify values in an object repository, your changes do not have any effect on other actions. Therefore, if the same test object exists in more than one action and you modify an object’s property values in one action, you may need to make the same change in every action (and any test) containing the object.

8.Explain the Check Points in Qtp?
A checkpoint verifies that expected information is displayed in application while the test is running. You can add eight types of checkpoints to your test for standard web objects using QTP.
1. A page checkpoint checks the characteristics of Application.
2. A text checkpoint checks that a text string is displayed in the appropriate place on a Application.
3.An object checkpoint ( standard) checks the values of an object on a Application.
4.An image checkpoint checks the values of an image on a Application.
5.A table checkpoint checks information with in a table an a Application.
6. An accessibility check point checks the web page per Section 508 compliance
7. An XML checkpoint checks the contents of individual XML data files or XML documents that are part of your web applications.
8. A database checkpoint checks the contents of data bases accessed by you.

9. In how many ways we can add checkpoints to an application using QTP?
We can add check points while recording the application or we add after recording is completed using Active Screen (NOTE: to perform the second one the active screen must be enable while recording).

10. How does QTP identifies the object in the application?
QTP identifies the object in the application by logical name and class. For ex. the Edit box is identified by
Logical Name:PSOPTIONS_TIME20
Class:Web Edit

11.If an application name changes frequently that is while recording it has name “Window1″ and then while running it’s “Window2″, in this case how does QTP handles?
QTP handle those situations by “Regular Expressions”.

12.What is parameterizing tests?
When you test application, you may want to check how it performs the same operations with multiple set of data . For ex: suppose you want to check hoe your application responds to ten separate test of data. You could record ten separate tests, each with it’s own set of data. Alternatively you can create a parameterized test that runs ten times: each time the test run, it uses a different set of data.

13.what is test object model in QTP?
The object model is a large set of obkject types or classess that quick test uses to represent the objects in your applications. Each test object lcass has a list of properties that can uniquely identifiy objects of that class and a set of relevant methods that quick test can record for it .
A test object is an object that quick test creates in the test or component to represent the actual object in your application. Quick Test stores information about the object that will help it identify and checks the object during the run session. A run time object is the actual object in your websites or in the application on which methods are performed during the run session.
When you perform an operation on your application while you recording.

Identifies the quick test test object classes that represents the objects on which you performed the operation and creates the appropriate the test objects.

Reads the current value of the object properties in your application and stores the list of properties and values with the test object.

Choose a unique name for the object generally using the values of one of its prominent properties.

Records the operation that you performed on the object using the appropriate quick test test object method.

For Example, Suppose you click on a Find button with the following HTML source code:

Then quick test identified the objects that you clicks as a web button test object

It creates a web button object with the name find, and records the following properties and values for the find web button:

It also records that you performed a click method on the Web button.

Quick test displays your s step in the keyboard view like this:

Quick Test displays your step in the expert view like this:

Browser(”Mercury Interactive”) . Page(” Mercury Interactive”).Web button(”Find”).Click

14.What is Object Spy in QTP?
Using the object Spy you can view the properties of any object in open application. You can use the object spy pointer to pint to an object. The object spy displays the select object’s hierarchy tree and its properties and values in the properties tab of the object spy dialog box.

15. What is the difference between image check point and bitmap checkpoint?
Image check point enable due to check the properties of web page. You can check an area of a web page or application as a bitmap.
While creating a test of component, you specify the area you want to check by selecting an object you can check an entire object or an any area within an object. Quick Test captures the specified object as a bitmap, and inserts a checkpoint in the test or component.
You can also use to save the selected area of the object with your test or component in order to save disk space for example, suppose you have a website that can display a map of a city the user specify that map has control keys for zooming.
You can record the new map i.e displayed after one check on the control key that zooms in the map. Using the bitmap checkpoint, you can check that the map zooms in correctly.
You can create bitmap checkpoint, all supported testing environments (as long as the appropriate add-ins are loaded)

Note: The result of bitmap check point may be effected by factors such as OS, Screen Resolutions and color settings

QTP Interview Questions 2

2009-04-08T09:09:00.004-07:00

1. How many tabs are available to view your test in a test pane and what are they?
Two. These are tree and expert.

2. What are the three main stages involved in testing with QTP?
Creating test , running tests , analyzing test.

3. Write a function to capture the pop-ups?
Here I am writing steps handle pop-up exceptions.
1) select the recovery scenario manager
2) press the new scenario
3) click next
4) select the pop up exceptions
5) select the pop window which we want to handle (capture) by clicking the spy button.
6) press next
7) select the specified options like key board or mouse operations press next
select the specified options click default or press enter
9) click next and uncheck add another recovery operation
10) click next and select proceed next step
11) click next and give the scenario name and description
12) click next and select add scenario to current test and add scenario to default settings. Click finish after word save that scenario.

4. What is meant by hot keys?
A hot keys or a combination of keys on a computer board when pressed performs a task. The specific task performed by a particular hot key where is by operating system or application. However , there are commonly _ used hot keys.

5. For a triangle (sum of two sides is greater than or equal to third side ), what is the minimal number of test cases required?
Generally, we will calculate the number of test cases that depends on the particular module and its complexity. Minimum number of test = ( number of outputs) multiply (1.6) ( approx calculation)

6. What are the flaws in water fall module and how overcome it?
Science testing comes at last stage , there are huge chances of defect multiplication, defects will be migrated to every stage wastage of human recourses and time delays are also introduced.

7. How does you test the web link which is changing dynamically?
This could be tested through the automated test tools like Rational Robot and Win Runner .

8. What is system testing ? And what are the different types of tests you perform in system testing?
System testing is a type of block box testing means testing the application. After the integration testing, usually will do testing. Functionality, regression and performance test comes under this.

9. How do we know about the build we are going to test? Where do you see this?
In the test plan we are going to have all details about who should test which test in a team which is given by team leader. According to that the entire group will do their testing.

10. What did you do as a team leader?
The roles of a leader,
1) before the project gets started, will conduct one team meeting and discuss briefly about the upcoming project.
2) will distribute the work among the team members and let them know which part of application they are going to test.

11. What test you perform mostly? Regression or Retesting in your testing process?
Retesting is a repeated execution of the test case which results in a fault, with the aim that fault occurred, Regression testing is the renewed testing of already tested program or part of that modification with the aim that the modified had.

12. With out using GUI map editor can we recognize the application in win runner?
With out using GUI map editor, we can recognize the application objects using a descriptive programming

QTP Interview Questions 1

2009-04-08T09:09:00.001-07:00

"1.What are the Features & Benefits of Quick Test Professional (QTP)?
Operators stand-alone, or integrated into Mercury Business process Testing and Mercury Quality Center.Introduces next generation “Zero-configuration” Keybord Driven testing technologies in QTP 8.0 -allowing for fast test creation, easier.

2.Differences between QTP 6.5 and QTP 8.2 what are extra features in 8.2?
Multimedia Add-In Is not available In QTP 6.5. parameterization Is the extra Feature In QTP 8.2 compared to QTP 6.5.

3.How to handle the exceptions using recovery scenario manager In QTP?
There are 4 trigger events during which a recovery scenario should be activated. They are A pop up window appears in an opened application during the test run. A property of an object changes its state or value.

4.What is the use If Text output value in QTP?
Output values enable to view the values that the application takes during run time.When parameterized, the values change for each iteration. Thus by creating output values, we can capture the values an object in runtime.

5.How to use Object Spy In QTP 8.0?
To view the Run time objects and Test Objects properties and Methods of an object.

6.What Is the extension of the object repository files In QTP?
Two types of Object repository, they are shared repository (extension.tsr) and Action repository (extension.mtr).

7.Explain the concept of object repository & how to QTP recognizes objects?
With QTP 8.2, the available QTP plus, setup. It provides Repositories Merge Utility. The Object Repository Merge Utility enables user to merge Object repository files Into a single Object repository file to recognizes a object using properties.

8.What are the properties you would use for identifying a browse & page when using descriptive programming?
For Browser we will have to use title, html id property to identify the browser and web page.

9.What the scripting language you use when you r working with QTP?
QTP supports VB scripting language.

10.Give me an example where you have used a Common Interface In your QTP?
Common Interface appears In the scenario of front end and backend foreign. If you are using oracle as back end and front end as VB or any language then for better compatibility we will go for an interface of which Common interface will be one among those interfaces.

11.Few basic questions on commonly used Excel VBA Functions?
Common functions are: creatinf a sheets and assigning vales to sheets and coloring the cell Auto fit cell setting navigation form link In one cell to other saving.

12.Explain the keyboard create object with an example?
Create object: creates and returns a reference to an dynamic object.
Ex: Ser Excel Sheet = Create object (”Excel.Sheet”).

13. Explain In brief about the QTP AUTOMATION Object model?
To pre configure test setting before executing the QTP test.

14. How to handle dynamic object In QTP?
User GETRO property will handle the run time objects.

15.Where can I find the runtime date table?
In the result window shows a runtime data table. It includes the table shaped icon that display the run time data table - a table that shows the values used to run a test containing data table parameters or the data table output vales retrieved from a test while application execution time

"

Software tester (SQA) interview questions

2009-04-05T08:20:00.022-07:00

1. The top management was feeling that when there are any changes in the technology being used, development schedules etc, it was a waste of time to update the Test Plan. Instead, they were emphasizing that you should put your time into testing than working on the test plan. Your Project Manager asked for your opinion. You have argued that Test Plan is very important and you need to update your test plan from time to time. It’s not a waste of time and testing activities would be more effective when you have your plan clear. Use some metrics. How you would support your argument to have the test plan consistently updated all the time.
2. The QAI is starting a project to put the CSTE certification online. They will use an automated process for recording candidate information, scheduling candidates for exams, keeping track of results and sending out certificates. Write a brief test plan for this new project.
3. The project had a very high cost of testing. After going in detail, someone found out that the testers are spending their time on software that doesn’t have too many defects. How will you make sure that this is correct?
4. What are the disadvantages of overtesting?
5. What happens to the test plan if the application has a functionality not mentioned in the requirements?
6. You are given two scenarios to test. Scenario 1 has only one terminal for entry and processing whereas scenario 2 has several terminals where the data input can be made. Assuming that the processing work is the same, what would be the specific tests that you would perform in Scenario 2, which you would not carry on Scenario 1?
7. Your customer does not have experience in writing Acceptance Test Plan. How will you do that in coordination with customer? What will be the contents of Acceptance Test Plan?
8. How do you know when to stop testing?
9. What can you do if the requirements are changing continuously?
10. What is the need for Test Planning?
11. What are the various status reports you will generate to Developers and Senior Management?
12. Define and explain any three aspects of code review?
13. Why do you need test planning?
14. Explain 5 risks in an e-commerce project. Identify the personnel that must be involved in the risk analysis of a project and describe their duties. How will you prioritize the risks?
15. What are the various status reports that you need generate for Developers and Senior Management?
16. You have been asked to design a Defect Tracking system. Think about the fields you would specify in the defect tracking system?
17. Write a sample Test Policy?
18. Explain the various types of testing after arranging them in a chronological order?
19. Explain what test tools you will need for client-server testing and why?
20. Explain what test tools you will need for Web app testing and why?
21. Explain pros and cons of testing done development team and testing by an independent team?
22. Differentiate Validation and Verification?
23. Explain Stress, Load and Performance testing?
24. Describe automated capture/playback tools and list their benefits?
25. How can software QA processes be implemented without stifling productivity?
26. How is testing affected by object-oriented designs?
27. What is extreme programming and what does it have to do with testing?
28. Write a test transaction for a scenario where 6.2% of tax deduction for the first $62,000 of income has to be done?
29. What would be the Test Objective for Unit Testing? What are the quality measurements to assure that unit testing is complete?
30. Prepare a checklist for the developers on Unit Testing before the application comes to testing department.
31. Draw a pictorial diagram of a report you would create for developers to determine project status.
32. Draw a pictorial diagram of a report you would create for users and management to determine project status.
33. What 3 tools would you purchase for your company for use in testing? Justify the need?
34. Put the following concepts, put them in order, and provide a brief description of each:
* system testing
* acceptance testing
* unit testing
* integration testing
* benefits realization testing
35. What are two primary goals of testing?
36. If your company is going to conduct a review meeting, who should be on the review committe and why?
37. Write any three attributes which will impact the Testing Process?
38. What activity is done in Acceptance Testing, which is not done in System testing?
39. You are a tester for testing a large system. The system data model is very large with many attributes and there are a lot of inter-dependencies within the fields. What steps would you use to test the system and also what are the effects of the steps you have taken on the test plan?
40. Explain and provide examples for the following black box techniques?
* Boundary Value testing
* Equivalence testing
* Error Guessing
41. What are the product standards for?
* Test Plan
* Test Script and Test Report
42. You are the test manager starting on system testing. The development team says that due to a change in the requirements, they will be able to deliver the system for SQA 5 days past the deadline. You cannot change the resources (work hours, days, or test tools). What steps will you take to be able to finish the testing in time?
43. Your company is about to roll out an e-commerce application. It’s not possible to test the application on all types of browsers on all platforms and operating systems. What steps would you take in the testing environment to reduce the business risks and commercial risks?
44. In your organization, testers are delivering code for system testing without performing unit testing. Give an example of test policy:
* Policy statement
* Methodology
* Measurement
45. Testers in your organization are performing tests on the deliverables even after significant defects have been found. This has resulted in unnecessary testing of little value, because re-testing needs to be done after defects have been rectified. You are going to update the test plan with recommendations on when to halt testing. Wwhat recommendations are you going to make?
46. How do you measure:
* Test Effectiveness
* Test Efficiency
47. You found out the senior testers are making more mistakes then junior testers; you need to communicate this aspect to the senior tester. Also, you don’t want to lose this tester. How should one go about constructive criticism?
48. You are assigned to be the test lead for a new program that will automate take-offs and landings at an airport. How would you write a test strategy for this new program?

Microsoft software development engineer in test (SDET) interview questions

2009-04-05T08:20:00.021-07:00

1. How would you deal with changes being made a week or so before the ship date?
2. How would you deal with a bug that no one wants to fix? Both the SDE and his lead have said they won’t fix it.

3. Write a function that counts the number of primes in the range [1-N]. Write the test cases for this function.
4. Given a MAKEFILE (yeah a makefile), design the data structure that a parser would create and then write code that iterates over that data structure
executing commands if needed.
5. Write a function that inserts an integer into a linked list in ascending order. Write the test cases for this function.
6. Test the save dialog in Notepad. (This was the question I enjoyed the most).
7. Write the InStr function. Write the test cases for this function.
8. Write a function that will return the number of days in a month (not using System.DateTime).
9. You have 3 jars. Each jar has a label on it: white, black, or white&black. You have 3 sets of marbles: white, black, and
white&black. One set is stored in one jar. The labels on the jars are guaranteed to be incorrect (i.e. white will not contain white). Which jar would you choose from to give you the best chances of identifying the which set of marbles in is in which jar.
10. Why do you want to work for Microsoft?
11. Write the test cases for a vending machine. (Those were the questions I was asked. I had a lot of discussions about how to handle situations. Such as a tester is focused on one part of an SDK. During triage it was determined that that portion of the SDK was not on the critical path, and the tester was needed elsewhere. But the tester continued to test that portion because it is his baby. How would you get him to stop testing that portion and work on what needs to be worked on? Other situations came up like arranging tests into the different testing buckets (functional, stress, perf, etc.).)

Web tester interview questions

2009-04-05T08:20:00.020-07:00

An Indian outfit, specializing in Web application testing, uses this set of questions for incoming testers.

1. Define load, performance and stress testing?
2. What are the goals of a performance testing of a web application?
3. State a generalized process for load test? Or explain how you did it previously.

4. How do you determine user soad for a perf test of a Web application?
5. What do you understand by the terms ‘Response Time’, ‘Pages Per Second’, ‘Transactions Per Secpnd’?
6. How would you determine the performance of a web application by looking at the values of ‘Response Time’ and ‘Pages Per Second’?
7. What will be your approach if a particular script in Load Test fails?
8. Talk about the terms: Soak Perf Test, Resilience Perf Test, Regression Perf Test.
9. Which Server Stats are essentially monitored during a Perf test of a Web Application?
10. What are the major components of Perf Test Report?

LoadRunner 2

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1. • Explain the Configuration of your systems? - The configuration of our systems refers to that of the client machines on which we run the Vusers. The configuration of any client machine includes its hardware settings, memory, operating system, software applications, development tools, etc. This system component configuration should match with the overall system configuration that would include the network infrastructure, the web server, the database server, and any other components that go with this larger system so as to achieve the load testing objectives.
2. • How do you identify the performance bottlenecks? - Performance Bottlenecks can be detected by using monitors. These monitors might be application server monitors, web server monitors, database server monitors and network monitors. They help in finding out the troubled area in our scenario which causes increased response time. The measurements made are usually performance response time, throughput, hits/sec, network delay graphs, etc.
3. • If web server, database and Network are all fine where could be the problem? - The problem could be in the system itself or in the application server or in the code written for the application.
4. • How did you find web server related issues? - Using Web resource monitors we can find the performance of web servers. Using these monitors we can analyze throughput on the web server, number of hits per second that
occurred during scenario, the number of http responses per second, the number of downloaded pages per second.
5. • How did you find database related issues? - By running â€œDatabaseâ€ monitor and help of â€œData Resource Graphâ€ we can find database related issues. E.g. You can specify the resource you want to measure on before running the controller and than you can see database related issues
6. • Explain all the web recording options?
7. • What is the difference between Overlay graph and Correlate graph? - Overlay Graph: It overlay the content of two graphs that shares a common x-axis. Left Y-axis on the merged graph showâ€™s the current graphâ€™s value & Right Y-axis show the value of Y-axis of the graph that was merged. Correlate Graph: Plot the Y-axis of two graphs against each other. The active graphâ€™s Y-axis becomes X-axis of merged graph. Y-axis of the graph that was merged becomes merged graphâ€™s Y-axis.
8. • How did you plan the Load? What are the Criteria? - Load test is planned to decide the number of users, what kind of machines we are going to use and from where they are run. It is based on 2 important documents, Task Distribution Diagram and Transaction profile. Task Distribution Diagram gives us the information on number of users for a particular transaction and the time of the load. The peak usage and off-usage are decided from this Diagram. Transaction profile gives us the information about the transactions name and their priority levels with regard to the scenario we are deciding.
9. • What does vuser_init action contain? - Vuser_init action contains procedures to login to a server.
10. • What does vuser_end action contain? - Vuser_end section contains log off procedures.
11. • What is think time? How do you change the threshold? - Think time is the time that a real user waits between actions. Example: When a user receives data from a server, the user may wait several seconds to review the data before responding. This delay is known as the think time. Changing the Threshold: Threshold level is the level below which the recorded think time will be ignored. The default value is five (5) seconds. We can change the think time threshold in the Recording options of the Vugen.
12. • What is the difference between standard log and extended log? - The standard log sends a subset of functions and messages sent during script execution to a log. The subset depends on the Vuser type Extended log sends a detailed script execution messages to the output log. This is mainly used during debugging when we want information about: Parameter substitution. Data returned by the server. Advanced trace.
13. • Explain the following functions: - lr_debug_message - The lr_debug_message function sends a debug message to the output log when the specified message class is set. lr_output_message - The lr_output_message function sends notifications to the Controller Output window and the Vuser log file. lr_error_message - The lr_error_message function sends an error message to the LoadRunner Output window. lrd_stmt - The lrd_stmt function associates a character string (usually a SQL statement) with a cursor. This function sets a SQL statement to be processed. lrd_fetch - The lrd_fetch function fetches the next row from the result set.
14. • Throughput - If the throughput scales upward as time progresses and the number of Vusers increase, this indicates that the bandwidth is sufficient. If the graph were to remain relatively flat as the number of Vusers increased, it would
be reasonable to conclude that the bandwidth is constraining the volume of
data delivered.
15. • Types of Goals in Goal-Oriented Scenario - Load Runner provides you with five different types of goals in a goal oriented scenario:
16. The number of concurrent Vusers
17. The number of hits per second
18. The number of transactions per second
19. The number of pages per minute
20. The transaction response time that you want your scenario
21. • Analysis Scenario (Bottlenecks): In Running Vuser graph correlated with the response time graph you can see that as the number of Vusers increases, the average response time of the check itinerary transaction very gradually increases. In other words, the average response time steadily increases as the load
increases. At 56 Vusers, there is a sudden, sharp increase in the average response
time. We say that the test broke the server. That is the mean time before failure (MTBF). The response time clearly began to degrade when there were more than 56 Vusers running simultaneously.
22. • What is correlation? Explain the difference between automatic correlation and manual correlation? - Correlation is used to obtain data which are unique for each run of the script and which are generated by nested queries. Correlation provides the value to avoid errors arising out of duplicate values and also optimizing the code (to avoid nested queries). Automatic correlation is where we set some rules for correlation. It can be application server specific. Here values are replaced by data which are created by these rules. In manual correlation, the value we want to correlate is scanned and create correlation is used to correlate.
23. • Where do you set automatic correlation options? - Automatic correlation from web point of view, can be set in recording options and correlation tab. Here we can enable correlation for the entire script and choose either issue online messages or offline actions, where we can define rules for that correlation. Automatic correlation for database, can be done using show output window and scan for correlation and picking the correlate query tab and choose which query value we want to correlate. If we know the specific value to be correlated, we just do create correlation for the value and specify how the value to be created.
24. • What is a function to capture dynamic values in the web vuser script? - Web_reg_save_param function saves dynamic data information to a parameter.

LoadRunner

2009-04-05T08:20:00.018-07:00

1. • What is load testing? - Load testing is to test that if the application works fine with the loads that result from large number of simultaneous users, transactions and to determine weather it can handle peak usage periods.
2. • What is Performance testing? - Timing for both read and update transactions should be gathered to determine whether system functions are being performed in an acceptable timeframe. This should be done standalone and then in a multi user environment to determine the effect of multiple transactions on the timing of a single transaction.
3. • Did u use LoadRunner? What version? - Yes. Version 7.2.
4. • Explain the Load testing process? -
Step 1: Planning the test. Here, we develop a clearly defined test plan to ensure the test scenarios we develop will accomplish load-testing objectives. Step 2: Creating Vusers. Here, we create Vuser scripts that contain tasks performed by each Vuser, tasks performed by Vusers as a whole, and tasks measured as transactions. Step 3: Creating the scenario. A scenario describes the events that occur during a testing session. It includes a list of machines, scripts, and Vusers that run during the scenario. We create scenarios using LoadRunner Controller. We can create manual scenarios as well as goal-oriented scenarios. In manual scenarios, we define the number of Vusers, the load generator machines, and percentage of Vusers to be assigned to each script. For web tests, we may create a goal-oriented scenario where we define the goal that our test has to achieve. LoadRunner automatically builds a scenario for us. Step 4: Running the scenario.
We emulate load on the server by instructing multiple Vusers to perform tasks simultaneously. Before the testing, we set the scenario configuration and scheduling. We can run the entire scenario, Vuser groups, or individual Vusers. Step 5: Monitoring the scenario.
We monitor scenario execution using the LoadRunner online runtime, transaction, system resource, Web resource, Web server resource, Web application server resource, database server resource, network delay, streaming media resource, firewall server resource, ERP server resource, and Java performance monitors. Step 6: Analyzing test results. During scenario execution, LoadRunner records the performance of the application under different loads. We use LoadRunnerâ€™s graphs and reports to analyze the applicationâ€™s performance.
5. • When do you do load and performance Testing? - We perform load testing once we are done with interface (GUI) testing. Modern system architectures are large and complex. Whereas single user testing primarily on functionality and user interface of a system component, application testing focuses on performance and reliability of an entire system. For example, a typical application-testing scenario might depict 1000 users logging in simultaneously to a system. This gives rise to issues such as what is the response time of the system, does it crash, will it go with different software applications and platforms, can it hold so many hundreds and thousands of users, etc. This is when we set do load and performance testing.
6. • What are the components of LoadRunner? - The components of LoadRunner are The Virtual User Generator, Controller, and the Agent process, LoadRunner Analysis and Monitoring, LoadRunner Books Online.
7. • What Component of LoadRunner would you use to record a Script? - The Virtual User Generator (VuGen) component is used to record a script. It enables you to develop Vuser scripts for a variety of application types and communication protocols.
8. • What Component of LoadRunner would you use to play Back the script in multi user mode? - The Controller component is used to playback the script in multi-user mode. This is done during a scenario run where a vuser script is executed by a number of vusers in a group.
9. • What is a rendezvous point? - You insert rendezvous points into Vuser scripts to emulate heavy user load on the server. Rendezvous points instruct Vusers to wait during test execution for multiple Vusers to arrive at a certain point, in order that they may simultaneously perform a task. For example, to emulate peak load on the bank server, you can insert a rendezvous point instructing 100 Vusers to deposit cash into their accounts at the same time.
10. • What is a scenario? - A scenario defines the events that occur during each testing session. For example, a scenario defines and controls the number of users to emulate, the actions to be performed, and the machines on which the virtual users run their emulations.
11. • Explain the recording mode for web Vuser script? - We use VuGen to develop a Vuser script by recording a user performing typical business processes on a client application. VuGen creates the script by recording the activity between the client and the server. For example, in web based applications, VuGen monitors the client end of the database and traces all the requests sent to, and received from, the database server. We use VuGen to: Monitor the communication between the application and the server; Generate the required function calls; and Insert the generated function calls into a Vuser script.
12. • Why do you create parameters? - Parameters are like script variables. They are used to vary input to the server and to emulate real users. Different sets of data are sent to the server each time the script is run. Better simulate the usage model for more accurate testing from the Controller; one script can emulate many different users on the system.
13. • What is correlation? Explain the difference between automatic correlation and manual correlation? - Correlation is used to obtain data which are unique for each run of the script and which are generated by nested queries. Correlation provides the value to avoid errors arising out of duplicate values and also optimizing the code (to avoid nested queries). Automatic correlation is where we set some rules for correlation. It can be application server specific. Here values are replaced by data which are created by these rules. In manual correlation, the value we want to correlate is scanned and create correlation is used to correlate.
14. • How do you find out where correlation is required? Give few examples from your projects? - Two ways: First we can scan for correlations, and see the list of values which can be correlated. From this we can pick a value to be correlated. Secondly, we can record two scripts and compare them. We can look up the difference file to see for the values which needed to be correlated. In my project, there was a unique id developed for each customer, it was nothing but Insurance Number, it was generated automatically and it was sequential and this value was unique. I had to correlate this value, in order to avoid errors while running my script. I did using scan for correlation.
15. • Where do you set automatic correlation options? - Automatic correlation from web point of view can be set in recording options and correlation tab. Here we can enable correlation for the entire script and choose either issue online messages or offline actions, where we can define rules for that correlation. Automatic correlation for database can be done using show output window and scan for correlation and picking the correlate query tab and choose which query value we want to correlate. If we know the specific value to be correlated, we just do create correlation for the value and specify how the value to be created.
16. • What is a function to capture dynamic values in the web Vuser script? - Web_reg_save_param function saves dynamic data information to a parameter.
17. • When do you disable log in Virtual User Generator, When do you choose standard and extended logs? - Once we debug our script and verify that it is functional, we can enable logging for errors only. When we add a script to a scenario, logging is automatically disabled. Standard Log Option: When you select
Standard log, it creates a standard log of functions and messages sent during script execution to use for debugging. Disable this option for large load testing scenarios. When you copy a script to a scenario, logging is automatically disabled Extended Log Option: Select
extended log to create an extended log, including warnings and other messages. Disable this option for large load testing scenarios. When you copy a script to a scenario, logging is automatically disabled. We can specify which additional information should be added to the extended log using the Extended log options.
18. • How do you debug a LoadRunner script? - VuGen contains two options to help debug Vuser scripts-the Run Step by Step command and breakpoints. The Debug settings in the Options dialog box allow us to determine the extent of the trace to be performed during scenario execution. The debug information is written to the Output window. We can manually set the message class within your script using the lr_set_debug_message function. This is useful if we want to receive debug information about a small section of the script only.
19. • How do you write user defined functions in LR? Give me few functions you wrote in your previous project? - Before we create the User Defined functions we need to create the external
library (DLL) with the function. We add this library to VuGen bin directory. Once the library is added then we assign user defined function as a parameter. The function should have the following format: __declspec (dllexport) char* (char*, char*)Examples of user defined functions are as follows:GetVersion, GetCurrentTime, GetPltform are some of the user defined functions used in my earlier project.
20. • What are the changes you can make in run-time settings? - The Run Time Settings that we make are: a) Pacing - It has iteration count. b) Log - Under this we have Disable Logging Standard Log and c) Extended Think Time - In think time we have two options like Ignore think time and Replay think time. d) General - Under general tab we can set the vusers as process or as multithreading and whether each step as a transaction.
21. • Where do you set Iteration for Vuser testing? - We set Iterations in the Run Time Settings of the VuGen. The navigation for this is Run time settings, Pacing tab, set number of iterations.
22. • How do you perform functional testing under load? - Functionality under load can be tested by running several Vusers concurrently. By increasing the amount of Vusers, we can determine how much load the server can sustain.
23. • What is Ramp up? How do you set this? - This option is used to gradually increase the amount of Vusers/load on the server. An initial value is set and a value to wait between intervals can be
specified. To set Ramp Up, go to ‘Scenario Scheduling Options’
24. • What is the advantage of running the Vuser as thread? - VuGen provides the facility to use multithreading. This enables more Vusers to be run per
generator. If the Vuser is run as a process, the same driver program is loaded into memory for each Vuser, thus taking up a large amount of memory. This limits the number of Vusers that can be run on a single
generator. If the Vuser is run as a thread, only one instance of the driver program is loaded into memory for the given number of
Vusers (say 100). Each thread shares the memory of the parent driver program, thus enabling more Vusers to be run per generator.
25. • If you want to stop the execution of your script on error, how do you do that? - The lr_abort function aborts the execution of a Vuser script. It instructs the Vuser to stop executing the Actions section, execute the vuser_end section and end the execution. This function is useful when you need to manually abort a script execution as a result of a specific error condition. When you end a script using this function, the Vuser is assigned the status "Stopped". For this to take effect, we have to first uncheck the â€œContinue on errorâ€ option in Run-Time Settings.
26. • What is the relation between Response Time and Throughput? - The Throughput graph shows the amount of data in bytes that the Vusers received from the server in a second. When we compare this with the transaction response time, we will notice that as throughput decreased, the response time also decreased. Similarly, the peak throughput and highest response time would occur approximately at the same time.

SQA and testing frequently asked definitions

2009-04-05T08:20:00.017-07:00

Black box testing
not based on any knowledge of internal design or code. Tests are based on requirements and functionality.

White box testing
based on knowledge of the internal logic of an application’s code. Tests are based on coverage of code statements, branches, paths, conditions.

Unit testing
the most ‘micro’ scale of testing; to test particular functions or code modules. Typically done by the programmer and not by testers, as it requires detailed knowledge of the internal program design and code. Not always easily done unless the application has a well-designed architecture with tight code; may require developing test driver modules or test harnesses.

Incremental integration testing
continuous testing of an application as new functionality is added; requires that various aspects of an application’s functionality be independent enough to work separately before all parts of the program are completed, or that test drivers be developed as needed; done by programmers or by testers.

Integration testing
testing of combined parts of an application to determine if they function together correctly. The ‘parts’ can be code modules, individual applications, client and server applications on a network, etc. This type of testing is especially relevant to client/server and distributed systems.

Functional testing
black-box type testing geared to functional requirements of an application; this type of testing should be done by testers. This doesn’t mean that the programmers shouldn’t check that their code works before releasing it (which of course applies to any stage of testing.)

System testing
black box type testing that is based on overall requirement specifications; covers all combined parts of a system.

End-to-end testing
similar to system testing; the ‘macro’ end of the test scale; involves testing of a complete application environment in a situation that mimics real-world use, such as interacting with a database, using network communications, or interacting with other hardware, applications, or systems if appropriate.

Sanity testing
typically an initial testing effort to determine if a new software version is performing well enough to accept it for a major testing effort. For example, if the new software is crashing systems every 5 minutes, bogging down systems to a crawl, or destroying databases, the software may not be in a ’sane’ enough condition to warrant further testing in its current state.

Regression testing
re-testing after fixes or modifications of the software or its environment. It can be difficult to determine how much re-testing is needed, especially near the end of the development cycle. Automated testing tools can be especially useful for this type of testing.

Acceptance testing
final testing based on specifications of the end-user or customer, or based on use by end-users/customers over some limited period of time.

Load testing
testing an application under heavy loads, such as testing of a web site under a range of loads to determine at what point the systems response time degrades or fails.

Stress testing
term often used interchangeably with ‘load’ and ‘performance’ testing. Also used to describe such tests as system functional testing while under unusually heavy loads, heavy repetition of certain actions or inputs, input of large numerical values, large complex queries to a database system, etc.

Performance testing
term often used interchangeably with ’stress’ and ‘load’ testing. Ideally ‘performance’ testing (and any other ‘type’ of testing) is defined in requirements documentation or QA or Test Plans.

Usability testing
testing for ‘user-friendliness’. Clearly this is subjective, and will depend on the targeted end-user or customer. User interviews, surveys, video recording of user sessions, and other techniques can be used. Programmers and testers are usually not appropriate as usability testers.

Install/uninstall testing
testing of full, partial, or upgrade install/uninstall processes.

Recovery testing
testing how well a system recovers from crashes, hardware failures, or other catastrophic problems.

Security testing
testing how well the system protects against unauthorized internal or external access, willful damage, etc; may require sophisticated testing techniques.
Compatibility testing
testing how well software performs in a particular hardware/software/operating system/network/etc. environment.

Exploratory testing
often taken to mean a creative, informal software test that is not based on formal test plans or test cases; testers may be learning the software as they test it.

Ad-hoc testing
similar to exploratory testing, but often taken to mean that the testers have significant understanding of the software before testing it.

User acceptance testing
determining if software is satisfactory to an end-user or customer.

Comparison testing
comparing software weaknesses and strengths to competing products.

Alpha testing
testing of an application when development is nearing completion; minor design changes may still be made as a result of such testing. Typically done by end-users or others, not by programmers or testers.

Beta testing
testing when development and testing are essentially completed and final bugs and problems need to be found before final release. Typically done by end-users or others, not by programmers or testers.

Mutation testing
a method for determining if a set of test data or test cases is useful, by deliberately introducing various code changes (’bugs’) and retesting with the original test data/cases to determine if the ‘bugs’ are detected. Proper implementation requires large computational resources.

Load testing interview questions

2009-04-05T08:20:00.016-07:00

1. What criteria would you use to select Web transactions for load testing?
2. Why are virtual users created?
3. Why is it recommended to add verification checks to your all your scenarios?
4. What’s the scenario, where you would want to parameterize a text verification check?
5. Why do you need to parameterize fields in your virtual user script?
6. What are the cases why parameterization is necessary when load testing the Web server and the database server?
7. How can data caching have a negative effect on load testing results?
8. What is usually a good indicator that your virtual user script has dynamic data, which is dependent on the parameterized fields?
9. What are the benefits of creating multiple actions within any virtual user script?
10. What is a Load Test Results Summary Report?

QTP interview questions and answers 1

2009-04-05T08:20:00.015-07:00

1. • What does it mean when a check point is in red color? what do u do? - A red color indicates failure. Here we analyze the cause for failure whether it is a Script Issue or Environment Issue or a Application issue.
2. • What is Object Spy in QTP? - Using the Object Spy, you can view the properties of any object in an open application. You use the Object Spy pointer to point to an object. The Object Spy displays the selected objectâ€™s hierarchy tree and its properties and values in the Properties tab of the Object Spy dialog box.
3. • What is the file extension of the code file & object repository file in QTP? - Code file extension is.vbs and object repository is.tsr
4. • Explain the concept of object repository & how QTP recognizes objects? - Object Repository: displays a tree of all objects in the current component or in the current action or entire test (depending on the object repository mode you selected). We can view or modify the test object description of any test object in the repository or to add new objects to the repository. Quicktest learns the default property values and determines in which test object class it fits. If it is not enough it adds assistive properties, one by one to the description until it has compiled the unique description. If no assistive properties are available, then it adds a special Ordinal identifier such as objects location on the page or in the source code.
5. • What are the properties you would use for identifying a browser & page when using descriptive programming? - Name would be another property apart from title that we can use.
6. • Give me an example where you have used a COM interface in your QTP project? - com interface appears in the scenario of front end and back end. for eg:if you r using oracle as back end and front end as VB or any language then for better compatibility we will go for an interface. of which COM will be one among those interfaces. Create object creates handle to the instance of the specified object so that we program can use the methods on the specified object. It is used for implementing Automation(as defined by Microsoft).
7. • Explain in brief about the QTP Automation Object Model. - Essentially all configuration and run functionality provided via the Quick Test interface is in some way represented in the Quick Test automation object model via objects, methods, and properties. Although a one-on-one comparison cannot always be made, most dialog boxes in Quick Test have a corresponding automation object, most options in dialog boxes can be set and/or retrieved using the corresponding object property, and most menu commands and other operations have corresponding automation methods. You can use the objects, methods, and properties exposed by the Quick Test automation object model, along with standard programming elements such as loops and conditional statements to design your program.

QTP interview questions and answers

2009-04-05T08:20:00.014-07:00

1. What are the Features & Benefits of Quick Test Pro (QTP 8.0)? - Operates stand-alone, or integrated into Mercury Business Process Testing and Mercury Quality Center. Introduces next-generation zero-configuration Keyword Driven testing technology in Quick Test Professional 8.0 allowing for fast test creation, easier maintenance, and more powerful data-driving capability. Identifies objects with Unique Smart Object Recognition, even if they change from build to build, enabling reliable unattended script execution. Collapses test documentation and test creation to a single step with Auto-documentation technology. Enables thorough validation of applications through a full complement of checkpoints.
2. How to handle the exceptions using recovery scenario manager in QTP? - There are 4 trigger events during which a recovery scenario should be activated. A pop up window appears in an opened application during the test run: A property of an object changes its state or value, A step in the test does not run successfully, An open application fails during the test run, These triggers are considered as exceptions.You can instruct QTP to recover unexpected events or errors that occurred in your testing environment during test run. Recovery scenario manager provides a wizard that guides you through the defining recovery scenario. Recovery scenario has three steps: 1. Triggered Events 2. Recovery steps 3. Post Recovery Test-Run
3. What is the use of Text output value in QTP? - Output values enable to view the values that the application talks during run time. When parameterized, the values change for each iteration. Thus by creating output values, we can capture the values that the application takes for each run and output them to the data table.
4. How to use the Object spy in QTP 8.0 version? - There are two ways to Spy the objects in QTP: 1) Thru file toolbar, In the File Toolbar click on the last toolbar button (an icon showing a person with hat). 2) True Object repository Dialog, In Object repository dialog click on the button object spy. In the Object spy Dialog click on the button showing hand symbol. The pointer now changes in to a hand symbol and we have to point out the object to spy the state of the object if at all the object is not visible. or window is minimized then, hold the Ctrl button and activate the required window to and release the Ctrl button.
5. How Does Run time data (Parameterization) is handled in QTP? - You can then enter test data into the Data Table, an integrated spreadsheet with the full functionality of Excel, to manipulate data sets and create multiple test iterations, without programming, to expand test case coverage. Data can be typed in or imported from databases, spreadsheets, or text files.
6. What is keyword view and Expert view in QTP? - Quick Testâ€™s Keyword Driven approach, test automation experts have full access to the underlying test and object properties, via an integrated scripting and debugging environment that is round-trip synchronized with the Keyword View. Advanced testers can view and edit their tests in the Expert View, which reveals the underlying industry-standard VBScript that Quick Test Professional automatically generates. Any changes made in the Expert View are automatically synchronized with the Keyword View.
7. Explain about the Test Fusion Report of QTP? - Once a tester has run a test, a Test Fusion report displays all aspects of the test run: a high-level results overview, an expandable Tree View of the test specifying exactly where application failures occurred, the test data used, application screen shots for every step that highlight any discrepancies, and detailed explanations of each checkpoint pass and failure. By combining Test Fusion reports with Quick Test Professional, you can share reports across an entire QA and development team.
8. Which environments does QTP support? - Quick Test Professional supports functional testing of all enterprise environments, including Windows, Web,..NET, Java/J2EE, SAP, Siebel, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Visual Basic, ActiveX, mainframe terminal emulators, and Web services.
9. What is QTP? - Quick Test is a graphical interface record-playback automation tool. It is able to work with any web, java or windows client application. Quick Test enables you to test standard web objects and ActiveX controls. In addition to these environments, Quick Test Professional also enables you to test Java applets and applications and multimedia objects on Applications as well as standard Windows applications, Visual Basic 6 applications and.NET framework applications
10. Explain QTP Testing process? - Quick Test testing process consists of 6 main phases:
11. Create your test plan - Prior to automating there should be a detailed description of the test including the exact steps to follow, data to be input, and all items to be verified by the test. The verification information should include both data validations and existence or state verifications of objects in the application.
12. Recording a session on your application - As you navigate through your application, Quick Test graphically displays each step you perform in the form of a collapsible icon-based test tree. A step is any user action that causes or makes a change in your site, such as clicking a link or image, or entering data in a form.
13. Enhancing your test - Inserting checkpoints into your test lets you search for a specific value of a page, object or text string, which helps you identify whether or not your application is functioning correctly. NOTE: Checkpoints can be added to a test as you record it or after the fact via the Active Screen. It is much easier and faster to add the checkpoints during the recording process. Broadening the scope of your test by replacing fixed values with parameters lets you check how your application performs the same operations with multiple sets of data. Adding logic and conditional statements to your test enables you to add sophisticated checks to your test.
14. Debugging your test - If changes were made to the script, you need to debug it to check that it operates smoothly and without interruption.
15. Running your test on a new version of your application - You run a test to check the behavior of your application. While running, Quick Test connects to your application and performs each step in your test.
16. Analyzing the test results - You examine the test results to pinpoint defects in your application.
17. Reporting defects - As you encounter failures in the application when analyzing test results, you will create defect reports in Defect Reporting Tool.
18. Explain the QTP Tool interface. - It contains the following key elements: Title bar, displaying the name of the currently open test, Menu bar, displaying menus of Quick Test commands, File toolbar, containing buttons to assist you in managing tests, Test toolbar, containing buttons used while creating and maintaining tests, Debug toolbar, containing buttons used while debugging tests. Note: The Debug toolbar is not displayed when you open Quick Test for the first time. You can display the Debug toolbar by choosing View — Toolbars — Debug. Action toolbar, containing buttons and a list of actions, enabling you to view the details of an individual action or the entire test flow. Note: The Action toolbar is not displayed when you open Quick Test for the first time. You can display the Action toolbar by choosing View — Toolbars — Action. If you insert a reusable or external action in a test, the Action toolbar is displayed automatically. Test pane, containing two tabs to view your test-the Tree View and the Expert View ,Test Details pane, containing the Active Screen. Data Table, containing two tabs, Global and Action, to assist you in parameterizing your test. Debug Viewer pane, containing three tabs to assist you in debugging your test-Watch Expressions, Variables, and Command. (The Debug Viewer pane can be opened only when a test run pauses at a breakpoint.) Status bar, displaying the status of the test
19. How does QTP recognize Objects in AUT? - Quick Test stores the definitions for application objects in a file called the Object Repository. As you record your test, Quick Test will add an entry for each item you interact with. Each Object Repository entry will be identified by a logical name (determined automatically by Quick Test), and will contain a set of properties (type, name, etc) that uniquely identify each object. Each line in the Quick Test script will contain a reference to the object that you interacted with, a call to the appropriate method (set, click, check) and any parameters for that method (such as the value for a call to the set method). The references to objects in the script will all be identified by the logical name, rather than any physical, descriptive properties.
20. What are the types of Object Repositories in QTP? - Quick Test has two types of object repositories for storing object information: shared object repositories and action object repositories. You can choose which type of object repository you want to use as the default type for new tests, and you can change the default as necessary for each new test. The object repository per-action mode is the default setting. In this mode, Quick Test automatically creates an object repository file for each action in your test so that you can create and run tests without creating, choosing, or modifying object repository files. However, if you do modify values in an action object repository, your changes do not have any effect on other actions. Therefore, if the same test object exists in more than one action and you modify an objectâ€™s property values in one action, you may need to make the same change in every action (and any test) containing the object.
21. Explain the check points in QTP? - A checkpoint verifies that expected information is displayed in an Application while the test is running. You can add eight types of checkpoints to your test for standard web objects using QTP. A page checkpoint checks the characteristics of an Application. A text checkpoint checks that a text string is displayed in the appropriate place on an Application. An object checkpoint (Standard) checks the values of an object on an Application. An image checkpoint checks the values of an image on an Application. A table checkpoint checks information within a table on a Application. An Accessibilityy checkpoint checks the web page for Section 508 compliance. An XML checkpoint checks the contents of individual XML data files or XML documents that are part of your Web application. A database checkpoint checks the contents of databases accessed by your web site
22. In how many ways we can add check points to an application using QTP? - We can add checkpoints while recording the application or we can add after recording is completed using Active screen (Note : To perform the second one The Active screen must be enabled while recording).
23. How does QTP identify objects in the application? - QTP identifies the object in the application by Logical Name and Class.
24. What is Parameterizing Tests? - When you test your application, you may want to check how it performs the same operations with multiple sets of data. For example, suppose you want to check how your application responds to ten separate sets of data. You could record ten separate tests, each with its own set of data. Alternatively, you can create a parameterized test that runs ten times: each time the test runs, it uses a different set of data.
25. What is test object model in QTP? - The test object model is a large set of object types or classes that Quick Test uses to represent the objects in your application. Each test object class has a list of properties that can uniquely identify objects of that class and a set of relevant methods that Quick Test can record for it. A test object is an object that Quick Test creates in the test or component to represent the actual object in your application. Quick Test stores information about the object that will help it identify and check the object during the run session.
26. What is Object Spy in QTP? - Using the Object Spy, you can view the properties of any object in an open application. You use the Object Spy pointer to point to an object. The Object Spy displays the selected objectâ€™s hierarchy tree and its properties and values in the Properties tab of the Object Spy dialog box.
27. What is the Diff between Image check-point and Bit map Check point? - Image checkpoints enable you to check the properties of a Web image. You can check an area of a Web page or application as a bitmap. While creating a test or component, you specify the area you want to check by selecting an object. You can check an entire object or any area within an object. Quick Test captures the specified object as a bitmap, and inserts a checkpoint in the test or component. You can also choose to save only the selected area of the object with your test or component in order to save disk Space. For example, suppose you have a Web site that can display a map of a city the user specifies. The map has control keys for zooming. You can record the new map that is displayed after one click on the control key that zooms in the map. Using the bitmap checkpoint, you can check that the map zooms in correctly. You can create bitmap checkpoints for all supported testing environments (as long as the appropriate add-ins are loaded). Note: The results of bitmap checkpoints may be affected by factors such as operating system, screen resolution, and color settings.
28. How many ways we can parameterize data in QTP? - There are four types of parameters: Test, action or component parameters enable you to use values passed from your test or component, or values from other actions in your test. Data Table parameters enable you to create a data-driven test (or action) that runs several times using the data you supply. In each repetition, or iteration, Quick Test uses a different value from the Data Table. Environment variable parameters enable you to use variable values from other sources during the run session. These may be values you supply, or values that Quick Test generates for you based on conditions and options you choose. Random number parameters enable you to insert random numbers as values in your test or component. For example, to check how your application handles small and large ticket orders, you can have Quick Test generate a random number and insert it in a number of tickets edit field.
29. How do u do batch testing in WR & is it possible to do in QTP, if so explain? - Batch Testing in WR is nothing but running the whole test set by selecting Run Test set from the Execution Grid. The same is possible with QTP also. If our test cases are automated then by selecting Run Test set all the test scripts can be executed. In this process the Scripts get executed one by one by keeping all the remaining scripts in Waiting mode.
30. If I give some thousand tests to execute in 2 days what do u do? - Adhoc testing is done. It Covers the least basic functionalities to verify that the system is working fine.

Testing Interview Question 1

2009-04-05T08:20:00.013-07:00

1. What is the Difference between Project and Product testing? What difference you have observed while testing the Clint/Server application and web server application
2. What are the differences between interface and integration testing? Are system specification and functional specification the same? What are the differences between system and functional testing?
3. What is Multi Unit testing?
4. What are the different types, methodologies, approaches, methods in software testing
5. What is the difference between test techniques and test methodology?

6. What is meant by test environment,â€¦ what is meant by DB installing and configuring and deploying skills?
7. What is logsheet? And what are the components in it?
8. What is Red Box testing? What is Yellow Box testing? What is Grey Box testing?
9. What is business process in software testing?
10. What is the difference between Desktop application testing and Web testing?
11. Find the values of each of the alphabets. N O O N S O O N + M O O N J YOU N E
12. With multiple testers how does one know which test cases are assigned to them? â€¢ Folder structure â€¢ Test process
13. What kind of things does one need to know before starting an automation project?
14. What is difference between a Test Plan, a Test Strategy, A Test Scenario, and A Test Case? What’s is their order of succession in the STLC?
15. How many functional testing tools are available? What is the easiest scripting language used?
16. Which phase is called as the Blackout or Quite Phase in SDLC?
17. When an application is given for testing, with what initial testing the testing will be started and when are all the different types of testing done following the initial testing?
18. What is difference between test plan and use case?
19. In an application if I enter the delete button it should give an error message â€œAre you sure you want to deleteâ€ but the application gives the message as â€œAre you sureâ€. Is it a bug? And if it is how would you rate its severity?
20. Who are the three stake holders in testing?
21. What is meant by bucket testing?
22. What is test case analysis?
23. The recruiter asked if I have Experience in Pathways. What is this?
24. What is the difference between GUI testing and black box testing
25. What are the main things we have to keep in mind while writing the test cases? Explain with format by giving an example
26. How we can write functional and integration test cases? Explain with format by giving examples.
27. Explain the water fall model and V- model of software development life cycles with block diagrams.
28. For notepad application can any one write the functional and system test cases?
29. Can you give me the exact answer for Test Bug?
30. What is the difference between Use Case and test case?
31. What is installation shield in testing
32. What is one key element of the test case?
33. What are the management tools we have in testing?
34. Can we write Functional test case based on only BRD or only Use case?
35. What’s main difference between smoke and sanity testing? When are these performed?
36. What Technical Environments have you worked with?
37. Have you ever converted Test Scenarios into Test Cases?
38. What is the ONE key element of â€˜test case’?
39. What is the ONE key element of a Test Plan?
40. What is SQA testing? tell us steps of SQA testing
41. How do you promote the concept of phase containment and defect prevention?
42. Which Methodology you follow in your test case?
43. What are the test cases prepared by the testing team
44. During the start of the project how will the company come to an conclusion that tool is required for testing or not?
45. Define Bug Life Cycle? What is Metrics
46. What is a Test procedure?
47. What is the difference between SYSTEM testing and END-TO-END testing?
48. What is Traceability Matrix? Is there any interchangeable term for Traceability Matrix? Are Traceability Matrix and Test Matrix same or Different?
49. What is the difference between an exception and an error?
50. Correct bug tracking process - Reporting, Re-testing, Debugging, â€¦..?
51. What is the difference between bug and defect?
52. How much time is/should be allocated for testing out of total Development time based on industry standards?
53. What are test bugs?
54. Define Quality - bug free, Functionality working or both?
55. What is the purpose of software testing’s - Bug removal, System’s functionality working, quality or all?
56. What is the major difference between Web services & client server environment?
57. Is there any tool to calculate how much time should be allocated for testing out of total development?
58. What is Scalability testing? Which tool is used?
59. Define Reliability?
60. Best to solve defects - requirements, plan, design, code / testing phase?
61. Cost of solving a bug from requirements phase to testing phase - increases slowly, decreases, increases steeply or remains constant?
62. What is scalability testing? What are the phases of the scalability testing?
63. What is the difference between end to end testing and system testing.
64. What kind of things does one need to know before starting an automation project?
65. Have you worked with data pools and what is your opinion on them? Give me an example as to how a script would handle the data pool.
66. What is difference between a Test Plan, a Test Strategy, A Test Scenario, and A Test Case? What’s is their order of succession in the STLC?
67. How many functional testing tools are available? What is the easiest scripting language used?
68. If we found the bug in SRS or FRS, how to categorize that bug?
69. What is the difference between end to end testing and system testing.
70. What is the difference between a defect and an enhancement?
71. Project is completed. Completed means that UAT testing is going. In that situation as a tester what will you do?

WinRunner question 5

2009-04-05T08:20:00.012-07:00

1. • How you create user-defined functions and explain the syntax? - a) A user-defined function has the following structure:
[class] function name ([mode] parameterâ€¦)
{
declarations;
statements;
}
b) The class of a function can be either static or public. A static function is available only to the test or module within which the function was defined.
c) Parameters need not be explicitly declared. They can be of mode in, out, or inout. For all non-array parameters, the default mode is in. For array parameters, the default is inout. The significance of each of these parameter types is as follows:
in: A parameter that is assigned a value from outside the function.
out: A parameter that is assigned a value from inside the function.
inout: A parameter that can be assigned a value from outside or inside the function.
2. • What does static and public class of a function means? - a) The class of a function can be either static or public.
b) A static function is available only to the test or module within which the function was defined.
c) Once you execute a public function, it is available to all tests, for as long as the test containing the function remains open. This is convenient when you want the function to be accessible from called tests. However, if you want to create a function that will be available to many tests, you should place it in a compiled module. The functions in a compiled module are available for the duration of the testing session.
d) If no class is explicitly declared, the function is assigned the default class, public.
3. • What does in, out and input parameters means? - a) in: A parameter that is assigned a value from outside the function.
b) out: A parameter that is assigned a value from inside the function.
c) inout: A parameter that can be assigned a value from outside or inside the function.
4. • What is the purpose of return statement? - a) This statement passes control back to the calling function or test. It also returns the value of the evaluated expression to the calling function or test. If no expression is assigned to the return statement, an empty string is returned.
Syntax: return [( expression )];
5. • What does auto, static, public and extern variables means? - a) auto: An auto variable can be declared only within a function and is local to that function. It exists only for as long as the function is running. A new copy of the variable is created each time the function is called.
b) static: A static variable is local to the function, test, or compiled module in which it is declared. The variable retains its value until the test is terminated by an Abort command. This variable is initialized each time the definition of the function is executed.
c) public: A public variable can be declared only within a test or module, and is available for all functions, tests, and compiled modules.
d) extern: An extern declaration indicates a reference to a public variable declared outside of the current test or module.
6. • How do you declare constants? - a) The const specifier indicates that the declared value cannot be modified. The class of a constant may be either public or static. If no class is explicitly declared, the constant is assigned the default class public. Once a constant is defined, it remains in existence until you exit WinRunner.
b) The syntax of this declaration is:
[class] const name [= expression];
7. • How do you declare arrays? - a) The following syntax is used to define the class and the initial expression of an array. Array size need not be defined in TSL.
b) class array_name [ ] [=init_expression]
c) The array class may be any of the classes used for variable declarations (auto, static, public, extern).
8. • How do you load and unload a compile module? - a) In order to access the functions in a compiled module you need to load the module. You can load it from within any test script using the load command; all tests will then be able to access the function until you quit WinRunner or unload the compiled module.
b) You can load a module either as a system module or as a user module. A system module is generally a closed module that is â€œinvisibleâ€ to the tester. It is not displayed when it is loaded, cannot be stepped into, and is not stopped by a pause command. A system module is not unloaded when you execute an unload statement with no parameters (global unload).
load (module_name [,1|0] [,1|0] );
The module_name is the name of an existing compiled module.
9. Two additional, optional parameters indicate the type of module. The first parameter indicates whether the function module is a system module or a user module: 1 indicates a system module; 0 indicates a user module.
(Default = 0)
The second optional parameter indicates whether a user module will remain open in the WinRunner window or will close automatically after it is loaded: 1 indicates that the module will close automatically; 0 indicates that the module will remain open.
(Default = 0)
c) The unload function removes a loaded module or selected functions from memory.
d) It has the following syntax:
unload ( [ module_name | test_name [ , "function_name" ] ] );
10. • How do you update your expected results? -
11. • How do you run your script with multiple sets of expected results? -
12. • How do you view and evaluate test results for various check points? -
13. • How do you view the results of file comparison? -
14. • What is the purpose of Wdiff utility? -
15. • What are batch tests and how do you create and run batch tests ? -
16. • How do you store and view batch test results? -
17. • How do you execute your tests from windows run command? -
18. • Explain different command line options? -
19. • What TSL function you will use to pause your script? -
20. • What is the purpose of setting a break point? -
21. • What is a watch list? -
22. • During debugging how do you monitor the value of the variables? -
23. • What are the reasons that WinRunner fails to identify an object on the GUI? - a) WinRunner fails to identify an object in a GUI due to various reasons.
i. The object is not a standard windows object.
ii. If the browser used is not compatible with the WinRunner version, GUI Map Editor will not be able to learn any of the objects displayed in the browser window.
24. • What do you mean by the logical name of the object. - a) An objectâ€™s logical name is determined by its class. In most cases, the logical name is the label that appears on an object.
25. • If the object does not have a name then what will be the logical name? - If the object does not have a name then the logical name could be the attached text.
26. • What is the different between GUI map and GUI map files? - a) The GUI map is actually the sum of one or more GUI map files. There are two modes for organizing GUI map files.
i. Global GUI Map file: a single GUI Map file for the entire application
ii. GUI Map File per Test: WinRunner automatically creates a GUI Map file for each test created.
b) GUI Map file is a file which contains the windows and the objects learned by the WinRunner with its logical name and their physical description.
27. • How do you view the contents of the GUI map? - a) GUI Map editor displays the content of a GUI Map. We can invoke GUI Map Editor from the Tools Menu in WinRunner. The GUI Map Editor displays the various GUI Map files created and the windows and objects learned in to them with their logical name and physical description.
28. • What is startup script in WinRunner? - It is writing a script and when WinRunner starts it automatically runs the script. If you write script like invoking some application as soon as the script is run the application will be invoked for the purpose of testing
29. • What is the purpose of loading WinRunner add-ins? - Add-ins are used in WinRunner to load functions specific to the particular add-in to the memory. While creating a script only those functions in the add-in selected will be listed in the function generator,and while executing the script only those functions in the loaded add-in will be executed,else WinRunner will give an error message saying it does not recognize the function
30. • What is the purpose of GUI spy? - Using the GUI spy you can view the properties of any GUI object and your desktop. You use the spy pointer to point to an object,and the GUI spy displays the properties and their values in the GUI spy dialog box. You can choose to view all properties of an object, or only the selected set of properties that WinRunner learns.
31. • When you create GUI map do you record all the objects of specific objects? - a) If we are learning a window then WinRunner automatically learns all the objects in the window else we will we identifying those object, which are to be learned in a window, since we will be working with only those objects while creating scripts.
32. • What is the purpose of set_window command? - b) Set_Window command sets the focus to the specified window. We use this command to set the focus to the required window before executing tests on a particular window. Syntax: set_window(, time); The logical name is the logical name of the window and time is the time the execution has to wait till it gets the given window into focus.
33. • How do you load GUI map? - c) We can load a GUI Map by using the GUI_load command. Syntax: GUI_load();
34. • What is the disadvantage of loading the GUI maps through start up scripts? - d) If we are using a single GUI Map file for the entire AUT then the memory used by the GUI Map may be much high. e) If there is any change in the object being learned then WinRunner will not be able to recognize the object, as it is not in the GUI Map file loaded in the memory. So we will have to learn the object again and update the GUI File and reload it.
35. • How do you unload the GUI map? - f) We can use GUI_close to unload a specific GUI Map file or else we call use GUI_close_all command to unload all the GUI Map files loaded in the memory. Syntax: GUI_close(); or GUI_close_all;

WinRunner question 4

2009-04-05T08:20:00.011-07:00

1. • Use the Update mode to update the expected results of a test or to create a new expected results folder. -
2. • Explain the following TSL functions: - a) Ddt_open
Creates or opens a datatable file so that WinRunner can access it.
Syntax: ddt_open ( data_table_name, mode );
data_table_name The name of the data table. The name may be the table variable name, the Microsoft Excel file or a tabbed text file name, or the full path and file name of the table. The first row in the file contains the names of the parameters. This row is labeled row 0.
mode The mode for opening the data table: DDT_MODE_READ (read-only) or DDT_MODE_READWRITE (read or write).
b) Ddt_save
Saves the information into a data file.
Syntax: dt_save (data_table_name);
data_table_name The name of the data table. The name may be the table variable name, the Microsoft Excel file or a tabbed text file name, or the full path and file name of the table.
c) Ddt_close
Closes a data table file
Syntax: ddt_close ( data_table_name );
data_table_name The name of the data table. The data table is a Microsoft Excel file or a tabbed text file. The first row in the file contains the names of the parameters.
d) Ddt_export
Exports the information of one data table file into a different data table file.
Syntax: ddt_export (data_table_namename1, data_table_namename2);
data_table_namename1 The source data table filename.
data_table_namename2 The destination data table filename.
e) Ddt_show
Shows or hides the table editor of a specified data table.
Syntax: ddt_show (data_table_name [, show_flag]);
data_table_name The name of the data table. The name may be the table variable name, the Microsoft Excel file or a tabbed text file name, or the full path and file name of the table.
show_flag The value indicating whether the editor should be shown (default=1) or hidden (0).
f) Ddt_get_row_count
Retrieves the no. of rows in a data tables
Syntax: ddt_get_row_count (data_table_name, out_rows_count);
data_table_name The name of the data table. The name may be the table variable name, the Microsoft Excel file or a tabbed text file name, or the full path and file name of the table. The first row in the file contains the names of the parameters.
out_rows_count The output variable that stores the total number of rows in the data table.
g) ddt_next_row
Changes the active row in a database to the next row
Syntax: ddt_next_row (data_table_name);
data_table_name The name of the data table. The name may be the table variable name, the Microsoft Excel file or a tabbed text file name, or the full path and file name of the table. The first row in the file contains the names of the parameters.
h) ddt_set_row
Sets the active row in a data table.
Syntax: ddt_set_row (data_table_name, row);
data_table_name The name of the data table. The name may be the table variable name, the Microsoft Excel file or a tabbed text file name, or the full path and file name of the table. The first row in the file contains the names of the parameters. This row is labeled row 0.
row The new active row in the data table.
i) ddt_set_val
Sets a value in the current row of the data table
Syntax: ddt_set_val (data_table_name, parameter, value);
data_table_name The name of the data table. The name may be the table variable name, the Microsoft Excel file or a tabbed text file name, or the full path and file name of the table. The first row in the file contains the names of the parameters. This row is labeled row 0.
parameter The name of the column into which the value will be inserted.
value The value to be written into the table.
j) ddt_set_val_by_row
Sets a value in a specified row of the data table.
Syntax: ddt_set_val_by_row (data_table_name, row, parameter, value);
data_table_name The name of the data table. The name may be the table variable name, the Microsoft Excel file or a tabbed text file name, or the full path and file name of the table. The first row in the file contains the names of the parameters. This row is labeled row 0.
row The row number in the table. It can be any existing row or the current row number plus 1, which will add a new row to the data table.
parameter The name of the column into which the value will be inserted.
value The value to be written into the table.
k) ddt_get_current_row
Retrieves the active row of a data table.
Syntax: ddt_get_current_row ( data_table_name, out_row );
data_table_name The name of the data table. The name may be the table variable name, the Microsoft Excel file or a tabbed text file name, or the full path and file name of the table. The first row in the file contains the names of the parameters. This row is labeled row 0.
out_row The output variable that stores the active row in the data table.
l) ddt_is_parameter
Returns whether a parameter in a datatable is valid
Syntax: ddt_is_parameter (data_table_name, parameter);
data_table_name The name of the data table. The name may be the table variable name, the Microsoft Excel file or a tabbed text file name, or the full path and file name of the table. The first row in the file contains the names of the parameters.
parameter The parameter name to check in the data table.
m) ddt_get_parameters
Returns a list of all parameters in a data table.
Syntax: ddt_get_parameters ( table, params_list, params_num );
table The pathname of the data table.
params_list This out parameter returns the list of all parameters in the data table, separated by tabs.
params_num This out parameter returns the number of parameters in params_list.
n) ddt_val
Returns the value of a parameter in the active roe in a data table.
Syntax: ddt_val (data_table_name, parameter);
data_table_name The name of the data table. The name may be the table variable name, the Microsoft Excel file or a tabbed text file name, or the full path and file name of the table. The first row in the file contains the names of the parameters.
parameter The name of the parameter in the data table.
o) ddt_val_by_row
Returns the value of a parameter in the specified row in a data table.
Syntax: ddt_val_by_row ( data_table_name, row_number, parameter );
data_table_name The name of the data table. The name may be the table variable name, the Microsoft Excel file or a tabbed text file name, or the full path and file name of the table. The first row in the file contains the names of the parameters. This row is labeled row 0.
row_number The number of the row in the data table.
parameter The name of the parameter in the data table.
p) ddt_report_row
Reports the active row in a data table to the test results
Syntax: ddt_report_row (data_table_name);
data_table_name The name of the data table. The name may be the table variable name, the Microsoft Excel file or a tabbed text file name, or the full path and file name of the table. The first row in the file contains the names of the parameters. This row is labeled row 0.
q) ddt_update_from_db
imports data from a database into a data table. It is inserted into your test script when you select the Import data from a database option in the DataDriver Wizard. When you run your test, this function updates the data table with data from the database.
3. • How do you handle unexpected events and errors? - a) WinRunner uses exception handling to detect an unexpected event when it occurs and act to recover the test run.
Define Exception Handling
Define Exception
Define Handler Function
WinRunner enables you to handle the following types of exceptions:
Pop-up exceptions: Instruct WinRunner to detect and handle the appearance of a specific window.
TSL exceptions: Instruct WinRunner to detect and handle TSL functions that return a specific error code.
Object exceptions: Instruct WinRunner to detect and handle a change in a property for a specific GUI object.
Web exceptions: When the WebTest add-in is loaded, you can instruct WinRunner to handle unexpected events and errors that occur in your Web site during a test run.
4. • How do you handle pop-up exceptions? - a) A pop-up exception Handler handles the pop-up messages that come up during the execution of the script in the AUT. TO handle this type of exception we make WinRunner learn the window and also specify a handler to the exception. It could be
i. Default actions: WinRunner clicks the OK or Cancel button in the pop-up window, or presses Enter on the keyboard. To select a default handler, click the appropriate button in the dialog box.
ii. User-defined handler: If you prefer, specify the name of your own handler. Click User Defined Function Name and type in a name in the User Defined Function Name box.
5. • How do you handle TSL exceptions? - a) A TSL exception enables you to detect and respond to a specific error code returned during test execution.
b) Suppose you are running a batch test on an unstable version of your application. If your application crashes, you want WinRunner to recover test execution. A TSL exception can instruct WinRunner to recover test execution by exiting the current test, restarting the application, and continuing with the next test in the batch.
c) The handler function is responsible for recovering test execution. When WinRunner detects a specific error code, it calls the handler function. You implement this function to respond to the unexpected error in the way that meets your specific testing needs.
d) Once you have defined the exception, WinRunner activates handling and adds the exception to the list of default TSL exceptions in the Exceptions dialog box. Default TSL exceptions are defined by the XR_EXCP_TSL configuration parameter in the wrun.ini configuration file.
6. • How do you handle object exceptions? - a) During testing, unexpected changes can occur to GUI objects in the application you are testing. These changes are often subtle but they can disrupt the test run and distort results.
b) You could use exception handling to detect a change in property of the GUI object during the test run, and to recover test execution by calling a handler function and continue with the test execution
7. • How do you comment your script? - a) We comment a script or line of script by inserting a â€˜#â€™ at the beginning of the line.
8. • What is a compile module? - a) A compiled module is a script containing a library of user-defined functions that you want to call frequently from other tests. When you load a compiled module, its functions are automatically compiled and remain in memory. You can call them directly from within any test.
b) Compiled modules can improve the organization and performance of your tests. Since you debug compiled modules before using them, your tests will require less error-checking. In addition, calling a function that is already compiled is significantly faster than interpreting a function in a test script.
9. • What is the difference between script and compile module? - a) Test script contains the executable file in WinRunner while Compiled Module is used to store reusable functions. Complied modules are not executable.
b) WinRunner performs a pre-compilation automatically when it saves a module assigned a property value of â€œCompiled Moduleâ€.
c) By default, modules containing TSL code have a property value of â€œmainâ€. Main modules are called for execution from within other modules. Main modules are dynamically compiled into machine code only when WinRunner recognizes a â€œcallâ€ statement. Example of a call for the â€œapp_initâ€ script:
call cso_init();
call( â€œC:\\MyAppFolder\\â€ & â€œapp_initâ€ );
d) Compiled modules are loaded into memory to be referenced from TSL code in any module. Example of a load statement:
reload (â€œC:\\MyAppFolder\\â€ & â€œflt_libâ€);
or
load (â€C:\\MyAppFolder\\â€ & â€œflt_libâ€);
10. • Write and explain various loop command? - a) A for loop instructs WinRunner to execute one or more statements a specified number of times.
It has the following syntax:
for ( [ expression1 ]; [ expression2 ]; [ expression3 ] )statement
i. First, expression1 is executed. Next, expression2 is evaluated. If expression2 is true, statement is executed and expression3 is executed. The cycle is repeated as long as expression2 remains true. If expression2 is false, the for statement terminates and execution passes to the first statement immediately following.
ii. For example, the for loop below selects the file UI_TEST from the File Name list
iii. in the Open window. It selects this file five times and then stops.
set_window (â€Openâ€)
for (i=0; i<5;>
list_select_item(â€File_Name:_1?,â€UI_TESTâ€); #Item Number2
b) A while loop executes a block of statements for as long as a specified condition is true.
It has the following syntax:
while ( expression )
statement ;
i. While expression is true, the statement is executed. The loop ends when the expression is false. For example, the while statement below performs the same function as the for loop above.
set_window (â€Openâ€);
i=0;
while (i<5){
i++;
list_select_item (â€File Name:_1?, â€œUI_TESTâ€); # Item Number 2
}
c) A do/while loop executes a block of statements for as long as a specified condition is true. Unlike the for loop and while loop, a do/while loop tests the conditions at the end of the loop, not at the beginning.
A do/while loop has the following syntax:
do
statement
while (expression);
i. The statement is executed and then the expression is evaluated. If the expression is true, then the cycle is repeated. If the expression is false, the cycle is not repeated.
ii. For example, the do/while statement below opens and closes the Order dialog box of Flight Reservation five times.
set_window (â€Flight Reservationâ€);
i=0;
do
{
menu_select_item (â€File;Open Orderâ€¦â€);
set_window (â€Open Orderâ€);
button_press (â€Cancelâ€);
i++;
}
while (i<5);
11. • Write and explain decision making command? - a) You can incorporate decision-making into your test scripts using if/else or switch statements.
i. An if/else statement executes a statement if a condition is true; otherwise, it executes another statement.
It has the following syntax:
if ( expression )
statement1;
[ else
statement2; ]
12. expression is evaluated. If expression is true, statement1 is executed. If expression1 is false, statement2 is executed.
b) A switch statement enables WinRunner to make a decision based on an expression that can have more than two values.
It has the following syntax:
switch (expression )
{
case case_1: statements
case case_2: statements
case case_n: statements
default: statement(s)
}
The switch statement consecutively evaluates each case expression until one is found that equals the initial expression. If no case is equal to the expression, then the default statements are executed. The default statements are optional.
13. • Write and explain switch command? - a) A switch statement enables WinRunner to make a decision based on an expression that can have more than two values.
It has the following syntax:
switch (expression )
{
case case_1: statements
case case_2: statements
case case_n: statements
default: statement(s)
}
b) The switch statement consecutively evaluates each case expression until one is found that equals the initial expression. If no case is equal to the expression, then the default statements are executed. The default statements are optional.
14. • How do you write messages to the report? - a) To write message to a report we use the report_msg statement
Syntax: report_msg (message);
15. • What is a command to invoke application? - a) Invoke_application is the function used to invoke an application.
Syntax: invoke_application(file, command_option, working_dir, SHOW);
16. • What is the purpose of tl_step command? - a) Used to determine whether sections of a test pass or fail.
Syntax: tl_step(step_name, status, description);
17. • Which TSL function you will use to compare two files? - a) We can compare 2 files in WinRunner using the file_compare function.
Syntax: file_compare (file1, file2 [, save file]);
18. • What is the use of function generator? - a) The Function Generator provides a quick, error-free way to program scripts. You can:
i. Add Context Sensitive functions that perform operations on a GUI object or get information from the application being tested.
ii. Add Standard and Analog functions that perform non-Context Sensitive tasks such as synchronizing test execution or sending user-defined messages to a report.
iii. Add Customization functions that enable you to modify WinRunner to suit your testing environment.
19. • What is the use of putting call and call_close statements in the test script? - a) You can use two types of call statements to invoke one test from another:
i. A call statement invokes a test from within another test.
ii. A call_close statement invokes a test from within a script and closes the test when the test is completed.
iii. The call statement has the following syntax:
20. • call test_name ( [ parameter1, parameter2, ...parametern ] ); - iv. The call_close statement has the following syntax:
21. • call_close test_name ( [ parameter1, parameter2, ... parametern ] ); - v. The test_name is the name of the test to invoke. The parameters are the parameters defined for the called test.
vi. The parameters are optional. However, when one test calls another, the call statement should designate a value for each parameter defined for the called test. If no parameters are defined for the called test, the call statement must contain an empty set of parentheses.
22. • What is the use of treturn and texit statements in the test script? - a) The treturn and texit statements are used to stop execution of called tests.
i. The treturn statement stops the current test and returns control to the calling test.
ii. The texit statement stops test execution entirely, unless tests are being called from a batch test. In this case, control is returned to the main batch test.
b) Both functions provide a return value for the called test. If treturn or texit is not used, or if no value is specified, then the return value of the call statement is 0.
treturn
c) The treturn statement terminates execution of the called test and returns control to the calling test.
The syntax is:
treturn [( expression )];
d) The optional expression is the value returned to the call statement used to invoke the test.
texit
e) When tests are run interactively, the texit statement discontinues test execution. However, when tests are called from a batch test, texit ends execution of the current test only; control is then returned to the calling batch test.
The syntax is:
texit [( expression )];
23. • Where do you set up the search path for a called test. - a) The search path determines the directories that WinRunner will search for a called test.
b) To set the search path, choose Settings > General Options. The General Options dialog box opens. Click the Folders tab and choose a search path in the Search Path for Called Tests box. WinRunner searches the directories in the order in which they are listed in the box. Note that the search paths you define remain active in future testing sessions.

WinRunner question 3

2009-04-05T08:20:00.003-07:00

1. • DVR_NO_MATCH - The checkpoint passes if no matching database records are found. - RecordNumber An out parameter returning the number of records in the database.
2. • How do you handle dynamically changing area of the window in the bitmap checkpoints? - a) The difference between bitmaps option in the Run Tab of the general options defines the minimum number of pixels that constitute a bitmap mismatch
3. • What do you verify with the database check point custom and what command it generates, explain syntax? - a) When you create a custom check on a database, you create a standard database checkpoint in which you can specify which properties to check on a result set.
b) You can create a custom check on a database in order to:
i. check the contents of part or the entire result set
ii. edit the expected results of the contents of the result set
iii. count the rows in the result set
iv. count the columns in the result set
c) You can create a custom check on a database using ODBC, Microsoft Query or Data Junction.
4. • What do you verify with the sync point for object/window property and what command it generates, explain syntax? - a) Synchronization compensates for inconsistencies in the performance of your application during a test run. By inserting a synchronization point in your test script, you can instruct WinRunner to suspend the test run and wait for a cue before continuing the test.
b) You can a synchronization point that instructs WinRunner to wait for a specified object or window to appear. For example, you can tell WinRunner to wait for a window to open before performing an operation within that window, or you may want WinRunner to wait for an object to appear in order to perform an operation on that object.
c) You use the obj_exists function to create an object synchronization point, and you use the win_exists function to create a window synchronization point. These functions have the following syntax:
Syntax:
obj_exists ( object [, time ] );
win_exists ( window [, time ] );
5. • What do you verify with the sync point for object/window bitmap and what command it generates, explain syntax? - a) You can create a bitmap synchronization point that waits for the bitmap of an object or a window to appear in the application being tested.
b) During a test run, WinRunner suspends test execution until the specified bitmap is redrawn, and then compares the current bitmap with the expected one captured earlier. If the bitmaps match, then WinRunner continues the test.
Syntax:
obj_wait_bitmap ( object, image, time );
win_wait_bitmap ( window, image, time );
6. • What do you verify with the sync point for screen area and what command it generates, explain syntax? - a) For screen area verification we actually capture the screen area into a bitmap and verify the application screen area with the bitmap file during execution
Syntax: obj_wait_bitmap(object, image, time, x, y, width, height);
7. • How do you edit checklist file and when do you need to edit the checklist file? - a) WinRunner has an edit checklist file option under the create menu. Select the â€œEdit GUI Checklistâ€ to modify GUI checklist file and â€œEdit Database Checklistâ€ to edit database checklist file. This brings up a dialog box that gives you option to select the checklist file to modify. There is also an option to select the scope of the checklist file, whether it is Test specific or a shared one. Select the checklist file, click OK which opens up the window to edit the properties of the objects.
8. • How do you edit the expected value of an object? - a) We can modify the expected value of the object by executing the script in the Update mode. We can also manually edit the gui*.chk file which contains the expected values which come under the exp folder to change the values.
9. • How do you modify the expected results of a GUI checkpoint? - a) We can modify the expected results of a GUI checkpoint be running the script containing the checkpoint in the update mode.
10. • How do you handle ActiveX and Visual basic objects? - a) WinRunner provides with add-ins for ActiveX and Visual basic objects. When loading WinRunner, select those add-ins and these add-ins provide with a set of functions to work on ActiveX and VB objects.
11. • How do you create ODBC query? - a) We can create ODBC query using the database checkpoint wizard. It provides with option to create an SQL file that uses an ODBC DSN to connect to the database. The SQL File will contain the connection string and the SQL statement.
12. • How do you record a data driven test? - a) We can create a data-driven testing using data from a flat file, data table or a database.
i. Using Flat File: we actually store the data to be used in a required format in the file. We access the file using the File manipulation commands, reads data from the file and assign the variables with data.
ii. Data Table: It is an excel file. We can store test data in these files and manipulate them. We use the â€˜ddt_*â€™ functions to manipulate data in the data table.
iii.Database: we store test data in the database and access these data using â€˜db_*â€™ functions.
13. • How do you convert a database file to a text file? - a) You can use Data Junction to create a conversion file which converts a database to a target text file.
14. • How do you parameterize database check points? - a) When you create a standard database checkpoint using ODBC (Microsoft Query), you can add parameters to an SQL statement to parameterize the checkpoint. This is useful if you want to create a database checkpoint with a query in which the SQL statement defining your query changes.
15. • How do you create parameterize SQL commands? - a) A parameterized query is a query in which at least one of the fields of the WHERE clause is parameterized, i.e., the value of the field is specified by a question mark symbol ( ? ). For example, the following SQL statement is based on a query on the database in the sample Flight Reservation application:
16. SELECT Flights.Departure, Flights.Flight_Number, Flights.Day_Of_Week FROM Flights Flights WHERE (Flights.Departure=?) AND (Flights.Day_Of_Week=?)
SELECT defines the columns to include in the query.
FROM specifies the path of the database.
WHERE (optional) specifies the conditions, or filters to use in the query.
Departure is the parameter that represents the departure point of a flight.
Day_Of_Week is the parameter that represents the day of the week of a flight.
b) When creating a database checkpoint, you insert a db_check statement into your test script. When you parameterize the SQL statement in your checkpoint, the db_check function has a fourth, optional, argument: the parameter_array argument. A statement similar to the following is inserted into your test script:
db_check(â€list1.cdlâ€, â€œdbvf1?, NO_LIMIT, dbvf1_params);
The parameter_array argument will contain the values to substitute for the parameters in the parameterized checkpoint.
17. • Explain the following commands: - a) db_connect
to connect to a database
db_connect(, );
b) db_execute_query
to execute a query
db_execute_query ( session_name, SQL, record_number );
record_number is the out value.
c) db_get_field_value
returns the value of a single field in the specified row_index and column in the session_name database session.
db_get_field_value ( session_name, row_index, column );
d) db_get_headers
returns the number of column headers in a query and the content of the column headers, concatenated and delimited by tabs.
db_get_headers ( session_name, header_count, header_content );
e) db_get_row
returns the content of the row, concatenated and delimited by tabs.
db_get_row ( session_name, row_index, row_content );
f) db_write_records
writes the record set into a text file delimited by tabs.
db_write_records ( session_name, output_file [ , headers [ , record_limit ] ] );
g) db_get_last_error
returns the last error message of the last ODBC or Data Junction operation in the session_name database session.
db_get_last_error ( session_name, error );
h) db_disconnect
disconnects from the database and ends the database session.
db_disconnect ( session_name );
i) db_dj_convert
runs the djs_file Data Junction export file. When you run this file, the Data Junction Engine converts data from one spoke (source) to another (target). The optional parameters enable you to override the settings in the Data Junction export file.
db_dj_convert ( djs_file [ , output_file [ , headers [ , record_limit ] ] ] );
18. • What check points you will use to read and check text on the GUI and explain its syntax? - a) You can use text checkpoints in your test scripts to read and check text in GUI objects and in areas of the screen. While creating a test you point to an object or a window containing text. WinRunner reads the text and writes a TSL statement to the test script. You may then add simple programming elements to your test scripts to verify the contents of the text.
b) You can use a text checkpoint to:
i.Read text from a GUI object or window in your application, using obj_get_text and win_get_text
ii.Search for text in an object or window, using win_find_text and obj_find_text
iii. Move the mouse pointer to text in an object or window, using obj_move_locator_text and win_move_locator_text
iv. Click on text in an object or window, using obj_click_on_text and win_click_on_text
19. • Explain Get Text checkpoint from object/window with syntax? - a) We use obj_get_text (, ) function to get the text from an object
b) We use win_get_text (window, out_text [, x1, y1, x2, y2]) function to get the text from a window.
20. • Explain Get Text checkpoint from screen area with syntax? - a) We use win_get_text (window, out_text [, x1, y1, x2, y2]) function to get the text from a window.
21. • Explain Get Text checkpoint from selection (web only) with syntax? - a) Returns a text string from an object.
web_obj_get_text (object, table_row, table_column, out_text [, text_before, text_after, index]);
i. object The logical name of the object.
ii. table_row If the object is a table, it specifies the location of the row within a table. The string is preceded by the # character.
iii. table_column If the object is a table, it specifies the location of the column within a table. The string is preceded by the # character.
iv. out_text The output variable that stores the text string.
v. text_before Defines the start of the search area for a particular text string.
vi. text_after Defines the end of the search area for a particular text string.
vii. index The occurrence number to locate. (The default parameter number is numbered 1).
22. • Explain Get Text checkpoint web text checkpoint with syntax? - a) We use web_obj_text_exists function for web text checkpoints.
web_obj_text_exists ( object, table_row, table_column, text_to_find [, text_before, text_after] );
a. object The logical name of the object to search.
b. table_row If the object is a table, it specifies the location of the row within a table. The string is preceded by the character #.
c. table_column If the object is a table, it specifies the location of the column within a table. The string is preceded by the character #.
d. text_to_find The string that is searched for.
e. text_before Defines the start of the search area for a particular text string.
f. text_after Defines the end of the search area for a particular text string.
23. • Which TSL functions you will use for - a) Searching text on the window
i. find_text ( string, out_coord_array, search_area [, string_def ] );
string The string that is searched for. The string must be complete, contain no spaces, and it must be preceded and followed by a space outside the quotation marks. To specify a literal, case-sensitive string, enclose the string in quotation marks. Alternatively, you can specify the name of a string variable. In this case, the string variable can include a regular expression.
out_coord_array The name of the array that stores the screen coordinates of the text (see explanation below).
search_area The area to search, specified as coordinates x1,y1,x2,y2. These define any two diagonal corners of a rectangle. The interpreter searches for the text in the area defined by the rectangle.
string_def Defines the type of search to perform. If no value is specified, (0 or FALSE, the default), the search is for a single complete word only. When 1, or TRUE, is specified, the search is not restricted to a single, complete word.
b) getting the location of the text string
i. win_find_text ( window, string, result_array [, search_area [, string_def ] ] );
window The logical name of the window to search.
string The text to locate. To specify a literal, case sensitive string, enclose the string in quotation marks. Alternatively, you can specify the name of a string variable. The value of the string variable can include a regular expression. The regular expression should not include an exclamation mark (!), however, which is treated as a literal character. For more information regarding Regular Expressions, refer to the â€œUsing Regular Expressionsâ€ chapter in your Userâ€™s Guide.
result_array The name of the output variable that stores the location of the string as a four-element array.
search_area The region of the object to search, relative to the window. This area is defined as a pair of coordinates, with x1,y1,x2,y2 specifying any two diagonally opposite corners of the rectangular search region. If this parameter is not defined, then the entire window is considered the search area.
string_def Defines how the text search is performed. If no string_def is specified, (0 or FALSE, the default parameter), the interpreter searches for a complete word only. If 1, or TRUE, is specified, the search is not restricted to a single, complete word.
c) Moving the pointer to that text string
i. win_move_locator_text (window, string [ ,search_area [ ,string_def ] ] );
window The logical name of the window.
string The text to locate. To specify a literal, case sensitive string, enclose the string in quotation marks. Alternatively, you can specify the name of a string variable. The value of the string variable can include a regular expression (the regular expression need not begin with an exclamation mark).
search_area The region of the object to search, relative to the window. This area is defined as a pair of coordinates, with x1, y1, x2, y2 specifying any two diagonally opposite corners of the rectangular search region. If this parameter is not defined, then the entire window specified is considered the search area.
string_def Defines how the text search is performed. If no string_def is specified, (0 or FALSE, the default parameter), the interpreter searches for a complete word only. If 1, or TRUE, is specified, the search is not restricted to a single, complete word.
d) Comparing the text
i. compare_text (str1, str2 [, chars1, chars2]);
str1, str2 The two strings to be compared.
chars1 One or more characters in the first string.
chars2 One or more characters in the second string. These characters are substituted for those in chars1.
24. • What are the steps of creating a data driven test? - a) The steps involved in data driven testing are:
i. Creating a test
ii. Converting to a data-driven test and preparing a database
iii. Running the test
iv. Analyzing the test results.
25. • Record a data driven test script using data driver wizard? - a) You can use the DataDriver Wizard to convert your entire script or a part of your script into a data-driven test. For example, your test script may include recorded operations, checkpoints, and other statements that do not need to be repeated for multiple sets of data. You need to parameterize only the portion of your test script that you want to run in a loop with multiple sets of data.
To create a data-driven test:
i. If you want to turn only part of your test script into a data-driven test, first select those lines in the test script.
ii. Choose Tools > DataDriver Wizard.
iii. If you want to turn only part of the test into a data-driven test, click Cancel. Select those lines in the test script and reopen the DataDriver Wizard. If you want to turn the entire test into a data-driven test, click Next.
iv. The Use a new or existing Excel table box displays the name of the Excel file that WinRunner creates, which stores the data for the data-driven test. Accept the default data table for this test, enter a different name for the data table, or use
v. The browse button to locate the path of an existing data table. By default, the data table is stored in the test folder.
vi. In the Assign a name to the variable box, enter a variable name with which to refer to the data table, or accept the default name, â€œtable.â€
26. vii. At the beginning of a data-driven test, the Excel data table you selected is assigned as the value of the table variable. Throughout the script, only the table variable name is used. This makes it easy for you to assign a different data table
viii. To the script at a later time without making changes throughout the script.
ix. Choose from among the following options:
27. • Add statements to create a data-driven test: Automatically adds statements to run your test in a loop: sets a variable name by which to refer to the data table; adds braces ({and}), a for statement, and a ddt_get_row_count statement to your test script selection to run it in a loop while it reads from the data table; adds ddt_open and ddt_close statements -
28. • To your test script to open and close the data table, which are necessary in order to iterate rows in the table. Note that you can also add these statements to your test script manually. -
29. • If you do not choose this option, you will receive a warning that your data-driven test must contain a loop and statements to open and close your datatable. -
30. • Import data from a database: Imports data from a database. This option adds ddt_update_from_db, and ddt_save statements to your test script after the ddt_open statement. -
31. • Note that in order to import data from a database, either Microsoft Query or Data Junction must be installed on your machine. You can install Microsoft Query from the custom installation of Microsoft Office. Note that Data Junction is not automatically included in your WinRunner package. To purchase Data Junction, contact your Mercury Interactive representative. For detailed information on working with Data Junction, refer to the documentation in the Data Junction package. -
32. • Parameterize the test: Replaces fixed values in selected checkpoints and in recorded statements with parameters, using the ddt_val function, and in the data table, adds columns with variable values for the parameters. Line by line: Opens a wizard screen for each line of the selected test script, which enables you to decide whether to parameterize a particular line, and if so, whether to add a new column to the data table or use an existing column when parameterizing data. -
33. • Automatically: Replaces all data with ddt_val statements and adds new columns to the data table. The first argument of the function is the name of the column in the data table. The replaced data is inserted into the table. - x. The Test script line to parameterize box displays the line of the test script to parameterize. The highlighted value can be replaced by a parameter. The Argument to be replaced box displays the argument (value) that you can replace with a parameter. You can use the arrows to select a different argument to replace.
Choose whether and how to replace the selected data:
34. • Do not replace this data: Does not parameterize this data. -
35. • An existing column: If parameters already exist in the data table for this test, select an existing parameter from the list. -
36. • A new column: Creates a new column for this parameter in the data table for this test. Adds the selected data to this column of the data table. The default name for the new parameter is the logical name of the object in the selected. TSL statement above. Accept this name or assign a new name. - xi. The final screen of the wizard opens.
37. • If you want the data table to open after you close the wizard, select Show data table now. -
38. • To perform the tasks specified in previous screens and close the wizard, click Finish. -
39. • To close the wizard without making any changes to the test script, click Cancel. -
40. • What are the three modes of running the scripts? - a) WinRunner provides three modes in which to run testsâ€”Verify, Debug, and Update. You use each mode during a different phase of the testing process.
i. Verify
41. • Use the Verify mode to check your application. - ii. Debug
42. • Use the Debug mode to help you identify bugs in a test script. - iii. Update

WinRunner question 2

2009-04-05T08:20:00.001-07:00

1. • How do you clear a GUI map files? - a) We can clear a GUI Map file using the â€œClear Allâ€ option in the GUI Map Editor.
2. • How do you filter the objects in the GUI map? - a) GUI Map Editor has a Filter option. This provides for filtering with 3 different types of options.
i. Logical name displays only objects with the specified logical name.
ii. Physical description displays only objects matching the specified physical description. Use any substring belonging to the physical description.
iii. Class displays only objects of the specified class, such as all the push buttons.
3. • How do you configure gui map? - a) When WinRunner learns the description of a GUI object, it does not learn all its properties. Instead, it learns the minimum number of properties to provide a unique identification of the object.
b) Many applications also contain custom GUI objects. A custom object is any object not belonging to one of the standard classes used by WinRunner. These objects are therefore assigned to the generic â€œobjectâ€ class. When WinRunner records an operation on a custom object, it generates obj_mouse_ statements in the test script.
c) If a custom object is similar to a standard object, you can map it to one of the standard classes. You can also configure the properties WinRunner uses to identify a custom object during Context Sensitive testing. The mapping and the configuration you set are valid only for the current WinRunner session. To make the mapping and the configuration permanent, you must add configuration statements to your startup test script.
4. • W hat is the purpose of GUI map configuration? - a) GUI Map configuration is used to map a custom object to a standard object.
5. • How do you make the configuration and mappings permanent? - a) The mapping and the configuration you set are valid only for the current WinRunner session. To make the mapping and the configuration permanent, you must add configuration statements to your startup test script.
6. • What is the purpose of GUI spy? - a) Using the GUI Spy, you can view the properties of any GUI object on your desktop. You use the Spy pointer to point to an object, and the GUI Spy displays the properties and their values in the GUI Spy dialog box. You can choose to view all the properties of an object, or only the selected set of properties that WinRunner learns.
7. • What is the purpose of obligatory and optional properties of the objects? - a) For each class, WinRunner learns a set of default properties. Each default property is classified â€œobligatoryâ€ or â€œoptionalâ€.
i. An obligatory property is always learned (if it exists).
ii.An optional property is used only if the obligatory properties do not provide unique identification of an object. These optional properties are stored in a list. WinRunner selects the minimum number of properties from this list that are necessary to identify the object. It begins with the first property in the list, and continues, if necessary, to add properties to the description until it obtains unique identification for the object.
8. • When the optional properties are learned? - a) An optional property is used only if the obligatory properties do not provide unique identification of an object.
9. • What is the purpose of location indicator and index indicator in GUI map configuration? - a) In cases where the obligatory and optional properties do not uniquely identify an object, WinRunner uses a selector to differentiate between them. Two types of selectors are available:
i. A location selector uses the spatial position of objects.
10. • The location selector uses the spatial order of objects within the window, from the top left to the bottom right corners, to differentiate among objects with the same description. - ii. An index selector uses a unique number to identify the object in a window.
11. • The index selector uses numbers assigned at the time of creation of objects to identify the object in a window. Use this selector if the location of objects with the same description may change within a window. -
12. • How do you handle custom objects? - a) A custom object is any GUI object not belonging to one of the standard classes used by WinRunner. WinRunner learns such objects under the generic â€œobjectâ€ class. WinRunner records operations on custom objects using obj_mouse_ statements.
b) If a custom object is similar to a standard object, you can map it to one of the standard classes. You can also configure the properties WinRunner uses to identify a custom object during Context Sensitive testing.
13. • What is the name of custom class in WinRunner and what methods it applies on the custom objects? - a) WinRunner learns custom class objects under the generic â€œobjectâ€ class. WinRunner records operations on custom objects using obj_ statements.
14. • In a situation when obligatory and optional both the properties cannot uniquely identify an object what method WinRunner applies? - a) In cases where the obligatory and optional properties do not uniquely identify an object, WinRunner uses a selector to differentiate between them. Two types of selectors are available:
i. A location selector uses the spatial position of objects.
ii. An index selector uses a unique number to identify the object in a window.
63 What is the purpose of different record methods 1) Record 2) Pass up 3) As Object 4) Ignore.
a) Record instructs WinRunner to record all operations performed on a GUI object. This is the default record method for all classes. (The only exception is the static class (static text), for which the default is Pass Up.)
b) Pass Up instructs WinRunner to record an operation performed on this class as an operation performed on the element containing the object. Usually this element is a window, and the operation is recorded as win_mouse_click.
c) As Object instructs WinRunner to record all operations performed on a GUI object as though its class were â€œobjectâ€ class.
d) Ignore instructs WinRunner to disregard all operations performed on the class.
15. • How do you find out which is the start up file in WinRunner? - a) The test script name in the Startup Test box in the Environment tab in the General Options dialog box is the start up file in WinRunner.
16. • What are the virtual objects and how do you learn them? - a) Applications may contain bitmaps that look and behave like GUI objects. WinRunner records operations on these bitmaps using win_mouse_click statements. By defining a bitmap as a virtual object, you can instruct WinRunner to treat it like a GUI object such as a push button, when you record and run tests.
b) Using the Virtual Object wizard, you can assign a bitmap to a standard object class, define the coordinates of that object, and assign it a logical name.
To define a virtual object using the Virtual Object wizard:
i. Choose Tools > Virtual Object Wizard. The Virtual Object wizard opens. Click Next.
ii. In the Class list, select a class for the new virtual object. If rows that are displayed in the window. For a table class, select the number of visible rows and columns. Click Next.
iii. Click Mark Object. Use the crosshairs pointer to select the area of the virtual object. You can use the arrow keys to make precise adjustments to the area you define with the crosshairs. Press Enter or click the right mouse button to display the virtual objectâ€™s coordinates in the wizard. If the object marked is visible on the screen, you can click the Highlight button to view it. Click Next.
iv.Assign a logical name to the virtual object. This is the name that appears in the test script when you record on the virtual object. If the object contains text that WinRunner can read, the wizard suggests using this text for the logical name. Otherwise, WinRunner suggests virtual_object, virtual_push_button, virtual_list, etc.
v. You can accept the wizardâ€™s suggestion or type in a different name. WinRunner checks that there are no other objects in the GUI map with the same name before confirming your choice. Click Next.
17. • H ow you created you test scripts 1) by recording or 2) programming? - a) Programming. I have done complete programming only, absolutely no recording.
18. • What are the two modes of recording? - a) There are 2 modes of recording in WinRunner
i.Context Sensitive recording records the operations you perform on your application by identifying Graphical User Interface (GUI) objects.
ii.Analog recording records keyboard input, mouse clicks, and the precise x- and y-coordinates traveled by the mouse pointer across the screen.
19. • What is a checkpoint and what are different types of checkpoints? - a) Checkpoints allow you to compare the current behavior of the application being tested to its behavior in an earlier version.
You can add four types of checkpoints to your test scripts:
i. GUI checkpoints verify information about GUI objects. For example, you can check that a button is enabled or see which item is selected in a list.
ii. Bitmap checkpoints take a â€œsnapshotâ€ of a window or area of your application and compare this to an image captured in an earlier version.
iii. Text checkpoints read text in GUI objects and in bitmaps and enable you to verify their contents.
iv. Database checkpoints check the contents and the number of rows and columns of a result set, which is based on a query you create on your database.
20. • What is parameterizing? - a) In order for WinRunner to use data to drive the test, you must link the data to the test script which it drives. This is called parameterizing your test. The data is stored in a data table.
21. • How do you maintain the document information of the test scripts? - a) Before creating a test, you can document information about the test in the General and Description tabs of the Test Properties dialog box. You can enter the name of the test author, the type of functionality tested, a detailed description of the test, and a reference to the relevant functional specifications document.
22. • What do you verify with the GUI checkpoint for single property and what command it generates, explain syntax? - a) You can check a single property of a GUI object. For example, you can check whether a button is enabled or disabled or whether an item in a list is selected. To create a GUI checkpoint for a property value, use the Check Property dialog box to add one of the following functions to the test script:
i. button_check_info
ii. scroll_check_info
iii. edit_check_info
iv. static_check_info
v. list_check_info
vi. win_check_info
vii. obj_check_info
Syntax: button_check_info (button, property, property_value );
edit_check_info ( edit, property, property_value );
23. • What do you verify with the GUI checkpoint for object/window and what command it generates, explain syntax? - a) You can create a GUI checkpoint to check a single object in the application being tested. You can either check the object with its default properties or you can specify which properties to check.
b) Creating a GUI Checkpoint using the Default Checks
i. You can create a GUI checkpoint that performs a default check on the property recommended by WinRunner. For example, if you create a GUI checkpoint that checks a push button, the default check verifies that the push button is enabled.
ii. To create a GUI checkpoint using default checks:
24. • Choose Create > GUI Checkpoint > For Object/Window, or click the GUI Checkpoint for Object/Window button on the User toolbar. If you are recording in Analog mode, press the CHECK GUI FOR OBJECT/WINDOW softkey in order to avoid extraneous mouse movements. Note that you can press the CHECK GUI FOR OBJECT/WINDOW softkey in Context Sensitive mode as well. The WinRunner window is minimized, the mouse pointer becomes a pointing hand, and a help window opens on the screen. -
25. • Click an object. -
26. • WinRunner captures the current value of the property of the GUI object being checked and stores it in the testâ€™s expected results folder. The WinRunner window is restored and a GUI checkpoint is inserted in the test script as an obj_check_gui statement - Syntax: win_check_gui ( window, checklist, expected_results_file, time );
c) Creating a GUI Checkpoint by Specifying which Properties to Check
d) You can specify which properties to check for an object. For example, if you create a checkpoint that checks a push button, you can choose to verify that it is in focus, instead of enabled.
e) To create a GUI checkpoint by specifying which properties to check:
i. Choose Create > GUI Checkpoint > For Object/Window, or click the GUI Checkpoint for Object/Window button on the User toolbar. If you are recording in Analog mode, press the CHECK GUI FOR OBJECT/WINDOW softkey in order to avoid extraneous mouse movements. Note that you can press the CHECK GUI FOR OBJECT/WINDOW softkey in Context Sensitive mode as well. The WinRunner window is minimized, the mouse pointer becomes a pointing hand, and a help window opens on the screen.
ii. Double-click the object or window. The Check GUI dialog box opens.
iii. Click an object name in the Objects pane. The Properties pane lists all the properties for the selected object.
iv. Select the properties you want to check.
27. • To edit the expected value of a property, first select it. Next, either click the Edit Expected Value button, or double-click the value in the Expected Value column to edit it. -
28. • To add a check in which you specify arguments, first select the property for which you want to specify arguments. Next, either click the Specify Arguments button, or double-click in the Arguments column. Note that if an ellipsis (three dots) appears in the Arguments column, then you must specify arguments for a check on this property. (You do not need to specify arguments if a default argument is specified.) When checking standard objects, you only specify arguments for certain properties of edit and static text objects. You also specify arguments for checks on certain properties of nonstandard objects. -
29. • To change the viewing options for the properties of an object, use the Show Properties buttons. -
30. • Click OK to close the Check GUI dialog box. WinRunner captures the GUI information and stores it in the testâ€™s expected results folder. The WinRunner window is restored and a GUI checkpoint is inserted in the test script as an obj_check_gui or a win_check_gui statement. - Syntax: win_check_gui ( window, checklist, expected_results_file, time );
obj_check_gui ( object, checklist, expected results file, time );
31. • What do you verify with the GUI checkpoint for multiple objects and what command it generates, explain syntax? - a) To create a GUI checkpoint for two or more objects:
i. Choose Create > GUI Checkpoint > For Multiple Objects or click the GUI Checkpoint for Multiple Objects button on the User toolbar. If you are recording in Analog mode, press the CHECK GUI FOR MULTIPLE OBJECTS softkey in order to avoid extraneous mouse movements. The Create GUI Checkpoint dialog box opens.
ii. Click the Add button. The mouse pointer becomes a pointing hand and a help window opens.
iii. To add an object, click it once. If you click a window title bar or menu bar, a help window prompts you to check all the objects in the window.
iv. The pointing hand remains active. You can continue to choose objects by repeating step 3 above for each object you want to check.
v. Click the right mouse button to stop the selection process and to restore the mouse pointer to its original shape. The Create GUI Checkpoint dialog box reopens.
vi. The Objects pane contains the name of the window and objects included in the GUI checkpoint. To specify which objects to check, click an object name in the Objects pane. The Properties pane lists all the properties of the object. The default properties are selected.
32. • To edit the expected value of a property, first select it. Next, either click the Edit Expected Value button, or double-click the value in the Expected Value column to edit it. -
33. • To add a check in which you specify arguments, first select the property for which you want to specify arguments. Next, either click the Specify Arguments button, or double-click in the Arguments column. Note that if an ellipsis appears in the Arguments column, then you must specify arguments for a check on this property. (You do not need to specify arguments if a default argument is specified.) When checking standard objects, you only specify arguments for certain properties of edit and static text objects. You also specify arguments for checks on certain properties of nonstandard objects. -
34. • To change the viewing options for the properties of an object, use the Show Properties buttons. - vii. To save the checklist and close the Create GUI Checkpoint dialog box, click OK. WinRunner captures the current property values of the selected GUI objects and stores it in the expected results folder. A win_check_gui statement is inserted in the test script.
Syntax: win_check_gui ( window, checklist, expected_results_file, time );
obj_check_gui ( object, checklist, expected results file, time );
35. • What information is contained in the checklist file and in which file expected results are stored? - a) The checklist file contains information about the objects and the properties of the object we are verifying.
b) The gui*.chk file contains the expected results which is stored in the exp folder
36. • What do you verify with the bitmap check point for object/window and what command it generates, explain syntax? - a) You can check an object, a window, or an area of a screen in your application as a bitmap. While creating a test, you indicate what you want to check. WinRunner captures the specified bitmap, stores it in the expected results folder (exp) of the test, and inserts a checkpoint in the test script. When you run the test, WinRunner compares the bitmap currently displayed in the application being tested with the expected bitmap stored earlier. In the event of a mismatch, WinRunner captures the current actual bitmap and generates a difference bitmap. By comparing the three bitmaps (expected, actual, and difference), you can identify the nature of the discrepancy.
b) When working in Context Sensitive mode, you can capture a bitmap of a window, object, or of a specified area of a screen. WinRunner inserts a checkpoint in the test script in the form of either a win_check_bitmap or obj_check_bitmap statement.
c) Note that when you record a test in Analog mode, you should press the CHECK BITMAP OF WINDOW softkey or the CHECK BITMAP OF SCREEN AREA softkey to create a bitmap checkpoint. This prevents WinRunner from recording extraneous mouse movements. If you are programming a test, you can also use the Analog function check_window to check a bitmap.
d) To capture a window or object as a bitmap:
i. Choose Create > Bitmap Checkpoint > For Object/Window or click the Bitmap Checkpoint for Object/Window button on the User toolbar. Alternatively, if you are recording in Analog mode, press the CHECK BITMAP OF OBJECT/WINDOW softkey. The WinRunner window is minimized, the mouse pointer becomes a pointing hand, and a help window opens.
ii. Point to the object or window and click it. WinRunner captures the bitmap and generates a win_check_bitmap or obj_check_bitmap statement in the script. The TSL statement generated for a window bitmap has the following syntax:
win_check_bitmap ( object, bitmap, time );
iii. For an object bitmap, the syntax is:
obj_check_bitmap ( object, bitmap, time );
iv. For example, when you click the title bar of the main window of the Flight Reservation application, the resulting statement might be:
win_check_bitmap (”Flight Reservation”, “Img2″, 1);
v. However, if you click the Date of Flight box in the same window, the statement might be:
obj_check_bitmap (”Date of Flight:”, “Img1″, 1);
Syntax: obj_check_bitmap ( object, bitmap, time [, x, y, width, height] );
37. • What do you verify with the bitmap checkpoint for screen area and what command it generates, explain syntax? - a) You can define any rectangular area of the screen and capture it as a bitmap for comparison. The area can be any size: it can be part of a single window, or it can intersect several windows. The rectangle is identified by the coordinates of its upper left and lower right corners, relative to the upper left corner of the window in which the area is located. If the area intersects several windows or is part of a window with no title (for example, a popup window), its coordinates are relative to the entire screen (the root window).
b) To capture an area of the screen as a bitmap:
i. Choose Create > Bitmap Checkpoint > For Screen Area or click the Bitmap Checkpoint for Screen Area button. Alternatively, if you are recording in Analog mode, press the CHECK BITMAP OF SCREEN AREA softkey. The WinRunner window is minimized, the mouse pointer becomes a crosshairs pointer, and a help window opens.
ii. Mark the area to be captured: press the left mouse button and drag the mouse pointer until a rectangle encloses the area; then release the mouse button.
iii. Press the right mouse button to complete the operation. WinRunner captures the area and generates a win_check_bitmap statement in your script.
iv. The win_check_bitmap statement for an area of the screen has the following syntax:
win_check_bitmap ( window, bitmap, time, x, y, width, height );
38. • What do you verify with the database checkpoint default and what command it generates, explain syntax? - a) By adding runtime database record checkpoints you can compare the information in your application during a test run with the corresponding record in your database. By adding standard database checkpoints to your test scripts, you can check the contents of databases in different versions of your application.
b) When you create database checkpoints, you define a query on your database, and your database checkpoint checks the values contained in the result set. The result set is set of values retrieved from the results of the query.
c) You can create runtime database record checkpoints in order to compare the values displayed in your application during the test run with the corresponding values in the database. If the comparison does not meet the success criteria you
d) specify for the checkpoint, the checkpoint fails. You can define a successful runtime database record checkpoint as one where one or more matching records were found, exactly one matching record was found, or where no matching records are found.
e) You can create standard database checkpoints to compare the current values of the properties of the result set during the test run to the expected values captured during recording or otherwise set before the test run. If the expected results and the current results do not match, the database checkpoint fails. Standard database checkpoints are useful when the expected results can be established before the test run.
Syntax: db_check(, );
f) You can add a runtime database record checkpoint to your test in order to compare information that appears in your application during a test run with the current value(s) in the corresponding record(s) in your database. You add runtime database record checkpoints by running the Runtime Record Checkpoint wizard. When you are finished, the wizard inserts the appropriate db_record_check statement into your script.
Syntax:
db_record_check(ChecklistFileName,SuccessConditions,RecordNumber );
ChecklistFileName A file created by WinRunner and saved in the testâ€™s checklist folder. The file contains information about the data to be captured during the test run and its corresponding field in the database. The file is created based on the information entered in the Runtime Record Verification wizard.
Contains one of the following values:
39. • DVR_ONE_OR_MORE_MATCH - The checkpoint passes if one or more matching database records are found. -
40. • DVR_ONE_MATCH - The checkpoint passes if exactly one matching database

WinRunner question

2009-04-05T08:20:00.000-07:00

What is contained in the GUI map? - a) WinRunner stores information it learns about a window or object in a GUI Map. When WinRunner runs a test, it uses the GUI map to locate objects. It reads an objectâ€™s description in the GUI map and then looks for an object with the same properties in the application being tested. Each of these objects in the GUI Map file will be having a logical name and a physical description.b) There are 2 types of GUI Map files.i.Global GUI Map file: a single GUI Map file for the entire applicationii.GUI Map File per Test: WinRunner automatically creates a GUI Map file for each test created.
How does WinRunner recognize objects on the application? - a) WinRunner uses the GUI Map file to recognize objects on the application. When WinRunner runs a test, it uses the GUI map to locate objects. It reads an objectâ€™s description in the GUI map and then looks for an object with the same properties in the application being tested.
Have you created test scripts and what is contained in the test scripts? - a) Yes I have created test scripts. It contains the statement in Mercury Interactiveâ€™s Test Script Language (TSL). These statements appear as a test script in a test window. You can then enhance your recorded test script, either by typing in additional TSL functions and programming elements or by using WinRunnerâ€™s visual programming tool, the Function Generator.
How does WinRunner evaluates test results? - a) Following each test run, WinRunner displays the results in a report. The report details all the major events that occurred during the run, such as checkpoints, error messages, system messages, or user messages. If mismatches are detected at checkpoints during the test run, you can view the expected results and the actual results from the Test Results window.
Have you performed debugging of the scripts? - a) Yes, I have performed debugging of scripts. We can debug the script by executing the script in the debug mode. We can also debug script using the Step, Step Into, Step out functionalities provided by the WinRunner.
How do you run your test scripts? - a) We run tests in Verify mode to test your application. Each time WinRunner encounters a checkpoint in the test script, it compares the current data of the application being tested to the expected data captured earlier. If any mismatches are found, WinRunner captures them as actual results.
How do you analyze results and report the defects? - a) Following each test run, WinRunner displays the results in a report. The report details all the major events that occurred during the run, such as checkpoints, error messages, system messages, or user messages. If mismatches are detected at checkpoints during the test run, you can view the expected results and the actual results from the Test Results window. If a test run fails due to a defect in the application being tested, you can report information about the defect directly from the Test Results window. This information is sent via e-mail to the quality assurance manager, who tracks the defect until it is fixed.
What are the different modes of recording? - a) There are two type of recording in WinRunner.i.Context Sensitive recording records the operations you perform on your application by identifying Graphical User Interface (GUI) objects.ii.Analog recording records keyboard input, mouse clicks, and the precise x- and y-coordinates traveled by the mouse pointer across the screen.
What is the purpose of loading WinRunner Add-Ins? - a) Add-Ins are used in WinRunner to load functions specific to the particular add-in to the memory. While creating a script only those functions in the add-in selected will be listed in the function generator and while executing the script only those functions in the loaded add-in will be executed else WinRunner will give an error message saying it does not recognize the function.
How to modify the logical name or physical description of the object? - Using GUI editor
How Winrunner handles varying window labels? - Using regular expressions
How do you write messages to the report? - report_msg
How you used WinRunner in your project? - Yes, I have been WinRunner for creating automates scripts for GUI, functional and regression testing of the AUT.
Explain WinRunner testing process? - WinRunner testing process involves six main stagesi.Create GUI Map File so that WinRunner can recognize the GUI objects in the application being testedii.Create test scripts by recording, programming, or a combination of both. While recording tests, insert checkpoints where you want to check the response of the application being tested.iiiDebug Test: run tests in Debug mode to make sure they run smoothlyiv.Run Tests: run tests in Verify mode to test your application.v.View Results: determines the success or failure of the tests.vi.Report Defects: If a test run fails due to a defect in the application being tested, you can report information about the defect directly from the Test Results window.
What in contained in the GUI map? - a) WinRunner stores information it learns about a window or object in a GUI Map. When WinRunner runs a test, it uses the GUI map to locate objects. It reads an objectâ€™s description in the GUI map and then looks for an object with the same properties in the application being tested. Each of these objects in the GUI Map file will be having a logical name and a physical description.b) There are 2 types of GUI Map files.i.Global GUI Map file: a single GUI Map file for the entire applicationii.GUI Map File per Test: WinRunner automatically creates a GUI Map file for each test created.
How does WinRunner recognize objects on the application? - a)WinRunner uses the GUI Map file to recognize objects on the application. When WinRunner runs a test, it uses the GUI map to locate objects. It reads anobjectâ€™sdescription in the GUI map and then looks for an object with the same properties in the application being tested.
Have you created test scripts and what is contained in the test scripts? - a) Yes I have created test scripts. It contains the statement in Mercury Interactiveâ€™s Test Script Language (TSL). These statements appear as a test script in a test window. You can then enhance your recorded test script, either by typing in additional TSL functions and programming elements or by using WinRunnerâ€™s visual programming tool, the Function Generator.
How does WinRunner evaluates test results? - a) Following each test run, WinRunner displays the results in a report. The report details all the major events that occurred during the run, such as checkpoints, error messages, system messages, or user messages. If mismatches are detected at checkpoints during the test run, you can view the expected results and the actual results from the Test Results window.
Have you performed debugging of the scripts? - a) Yes, I have performed debugging of scripts. We can debug the script by executing the script in the debug mode. We can also debug script using the Step, Step Into, Step out functionalities provided by the WinRunner.
How do you view the contents of the GUI map? - a) GUI Map editor displays the content of a GUI Map. We can invoke GUI Map Editor from the Tools Menu in WinRunner. The GUI Map Editor displays the various GUI Map files created and the windows and objects learned in to them with their logical name and physical description.
When you create GUI map do you record all the objects of specific objects? - a) If we are learning a window then WinRunner automatically learns all the objects in the window else we will we identifying those object, which are to be learned in a window, since we will be working with only those objects while creating scripts.
What is the purpose of set_window command? - a) Set_Window command sets the focus to the specified window. We use this command to set the focus to the required window before executing tests on a particular window.Syntax: set_window(, time);The logical name is the logical name of the window and time is the time the execution has to wait till it gets the given window into focus.
How do you load GUI map? - a) We can load a GUI Map by using the GUI_load command.Syntax: GUI_load();
What is the disadvantage of loading the GUI maps through start up scripts? - a) If we are using a single GUI Map file for the entire AUT then the memory used by the GUI Map may be much high.b) If there is any change in the object being learned then WinRunner will not be able to recognize the object, as it is not in the GUI Map file loaded in the memory. So we will have to learn the object again and update the GUI File and reload it.
How do you unload the GUI map? - a) We can use GUI_close to unload a specific GUI Map file or else we call use GUI_close_all command to unload all the GUI Map files loaded in the memory.Syntax: GUI_close(); or GUI_close_all;
What actually happens when you load GUI map? - a) When we load a GUI Map file, the information about the windows and the objects with their logical names and physical description are loaded into memory. So when the WinRunner executes a script on a particular window, it can identify the objects using this information loaded in the memory.
What is the purpose of the temp GUI map file? - a) While recording a script, WinRunner learns objects and windows by itself. This is actually stored into the temporary GUI Map file. We can specify whether we have to load this temporary GUI Map file should be loaded each time in the General Options.
What is the extension of gui map file? - a) The extension for a GUI Map file is â€œ.guiâ€.
How do you find an object in an GUI map. - a) The GUI Map Editor is been provided with a Find and Show Buttons.i To find a particular object in the GUI Map file in the application, select the object and click the Show window. This blinks the selected object.ii.To find a particular object in a GUI Map file click the Find button, which gives the option to select the object. When the object is selected, if the object has been learned to the GUI Map file it will be focused in the GUI Map file.
What different actions are performed by find and show button? - a) To find a particular object in the GUI Map file in the application, select the object and click the Show window. This blinks the selected object.b) To find a particular object in a GUI Map file click the Find button, which gives the option to select the object. When the object is selected, if the object has been learned to the GUI Map file it will be focused in the GUI Map file.
How do you identify which files are loaded in the GUI map? - a) The GUI Map Editor has a drop down â€œGUI Fileâ€ displaying all the GUI Map files loaded into the memory.
How do you modify the logical name or the physical description of the objects in GUI map? - a) You can modify the logical name or the physical description of an object in a GUI map file using the GUI Map Editor.
When do you feel you need to modify the logical name? - a) Changing the logical name of an object is useful when the assigned logical name is not sufficiently descriptive or is too long.
When it is appropriate to change physical description? - a) Changing the physical description is necessary when the property value of an object changes.
How WinRunner handles varying window labels? - a) We can handle varying window labels using regular expressions. WinRunner uses two â€œhiddenâ€ properties in order to use regular expression in an objectâ€™s physical description. These properties are regexp_label and regexp_MSW_class.i.The regexp_label property is used for windows only. It operates â€œbehind the scenesâ€ to insert a regular expression into a windowâ€™s label description.ii.The regexp_MSW_class property inserts a regular expression into an objectâ€™s MSW_class. It is obligatory for all types of windows and for the object class object.
What is the purpose of regexp_label property and regexp_MSW_class property? - a) The regexp_label property is used for windows only. It operates â€œbehind the scenesâ€ to insert a regular expression into a windowâ€™s label description.b) The regexp_MSW_class property inserts a regular expression into an objectâ€™s MSW_class. It is obligatory for all types of windows and for the object class object.
How do you suppress a regular expression? - a) We can suppress the regular expression of a window by replacing the regexp_label property with label property.
How do you copy and move objects between different GUI map files? - a) We can copy and move objects between different GUI Map files using the GUI Map Editor. The steps to be followed are:i Choose Tools - GUI Map Editor to open the GUI Map Editor.ii.Choose View - GUI Files.iii.Click Expand in the GUI Map Editor. The dialog box expands to display two GUI map files simultaneously.iv. View a different GUI map file on each side of the dialog box by clicking the file names in the GUI File lists.v.In one file, select the objects you want to copy or move. Use the Shift key and/or Control key to select multiple objects. To select all objects in a GUI map file, choose Edit > Select All.vi.Click Copy or Move.vii.To restore the GUI Map Editor to its original size, click Collapse.
How do you select multiple objects during merging the files? - a) Use the Shift key and/or Control key to select multiple objects. To select all objects in a GUI map file, choose Edit > Select All.
How do you clear a GUI ma

Core Java Interview Questions

2008-09-18T23:38:00.000-07:00

Core Java Interview Questions Part-1

Core Java Interview Questions Part-2

Core Java Interview Questions Part-3

Core Java Interview Questions Part-4

Core Java Interview Questions Part-5

Core Java Interview Questions Part-6

Core Java Interview Questions Part-7

Core Java Interview Questions Part-8

Core Java Interview Questions Part-9

Core Java Interview Questions Part-9

2008-09-18T23:36:00.000-07:00

132 Q What is volatile variable?

A volatile variable is not allowed to have a local copy of a variable that is different from the value currently held in "main" memory. Volatile modifier requests the JVM to always access the shared copy of the variable so the its most current value is always read.

133 Q Why java does not support multiple inheritance?

Because the multiple inheritance causes the redundancy. Also we cannot solve diamond problem.

134 Q What is diamond problem?

The diamond problem is an ambiguity that can occur when a class multiply inherits from two classes that both descend from a common super class

135 Q How many JVM's we can run in a system?

Any number of JVMs can run in a system. Whenever we issue the command 'java' a new JVM will start.

136 Q Why Java is not 100% pure object oriented language?

Because java uses primitives.

137 Q Why ArrayList is faster than Vector?

Because Vector is synchronized. Synchronization reduces the performance.

138 Q What is the security mechnaism used in java?

Java uses sand box security model.

139 Q What is sandbox?

A sandbox is a security mechanism for safely running programs. The sandbox typically provides a tightly-controlled set of resources for guest programs to run in, such as scratch space on disk and memory.

140 Q What is phantom memory?

Phantom memory is the memory that does not exist in reality.

141 Q What is reflection?

Reflection is the process of finding out the different features of a class dynamically.

142 Q What are the differences between JIT and HotSpot?

The Hotspot VM is a collection of techniques, the most important of which is called adaptive optimization. The original JVMs interpreted byte codes one at a time. Second-generation JVMs added a JIT compiler, which compiles each method to native code upon first execution, then executes the native code. Thereafter, whenever the method is called, the native code is executed. The adaptive optimization technique used by Hotspot is a hybrid approach, one that combines byte code interpretation and run-time compilation to native code. Hotspot, unlike a regular JIT compiling VM, doesn't do "premature optimization"

143 Q What are the advantages and disadvantages of reference counting in garbage collection?

An advantage of this scheme is that it can run in small chunks of time closely linked with the execution of the program. These characteristic makes it particularly suitable for real-time environments where the program can't be interrupted for very long time. A disadvantage of reference counting is that it does not detect cycles. A cycle is two or more objects that refer to one another. Another disadvantage is the overhead of incrementing and decrementing the reference count each time. Because of these disadvantages, reference counting currently is out of favor.

144 Q How would you implement a thread pool?

The ThreadPool class is a generic implementation of a thread pool, which takes the following input Size of the pool to be constructed and name of the class which implements Runnable (which has a visible default constructor) and constructs a thread pool with active threads that are waiting for activation. once the threads have finished processing they come back and wait once again in the pool.

145 Q What is the difference between throw and throws clause?

throw is used to throw an exception manually, where as throws is used in the case of checked exceptions, to tell the compiler that we haven't handled the exception, so that the exception will be handled by the calling function.

146 Q What is JAR file?

A JAR file (short for Java Archive) is a ZIP file used to distribute a set of Java classes. It is used to store compiled Java classes and associated metadata that can constitute a program

147 Q What is a classloader?

A class loader is an object that is responsible for loading classes.

148 Q What is the difference between Comparable and Comparator ?

The Comparable is for natural ordering and Comparator is for custom ordering. But we can override the compareTo method of comparable interface to give a custom ordering.

149 Q What is the difference between List, Set and Map?

A Set is a collection that has no duplicate elements. A List is a collection that has an order associated with its elements. A map is a way of storing key/value pairs. The way of storing a Map is similar to two-column table.

150 Q What is the difference between Exception and Error ?

Error is unrecoverable.

Core Java Interview Questions Part-8

2008-09-18T23:33:00.000-07:00

111 Q How does a try statement determine which catch clause should be used to handle an exception?

When an exception is thrown , the catch block of the try statement are examined in the order in which they appear. The first catch block that is capable of handling the exception is executed. The remaining catch blocks are ignored

112 Q How parameters are passed to methods in java program ?

All java method parameters in java are passed by value only. Obviously primitives are passed by value. In case of objects a copy of the reference is passed and so all the changes made in the method will persist.

113 Q If a class doesn't have any constructors, what will happen?

If a class doesn't have a constructor, the JVM will provide a default constructor for the class.

114 Q What will happen if a thread cannot acquire a lock on an object?

It enters to the waiting state until lock becomes available.

115 Q How does multithreading occurring on a computer with a single CPU?

The task scheduler of OS allocates an execution time for multiple tasks. By switching between different executing tasks, it creates the impression that tasks execute sequentially. But actually there is only one task is executed at a time.

116 Q What will happen if you are invoking a thread's interrupt method while the thread is waiting or sleeping?

When the task enters to the running state, it will throw an InterruptedException.

117 Q What are the different ways in which a thread can enter into waiting state?

There are three ways for a thread to enter into waiting state. By invoking its sleep() method, by blocking on I/O, by unsuccessfully attempting to acquire an object's lock, or by invoking an object's wait() method.

118 Q What are the the different ways for creating a thread?

A thread can be created by subclassing Thread, or by implementing the Runnable interface.

119 Q What is the difference between creating a thread by extending Thread class and by implementing Runnable interface? Which one should prefer?

When creating a thread by extending the Thread class, it is not mandatory to override the run method (If we are not overriding the run method , it is useless), because Thread class have already given a default implementation for run method. But if we are implementing Runnable , it is mandatory to override the run method. The preferred way to create a thread is by implementing Runnable interface, because it give loose coupling.

120 Q What is coupling?

Coupling is the dependency between different components of a system

121 Q How is an interface?

An interface is a collection of method declarations and constants. In java interfaces are used to achieve multiple inheritance. It sets a behavioral protocol to all implementing classes.

122 Q What is an abstract class?

An abstract class is an incomplete class. An abstract class is defined with the keyword abstract . We cannot create an object of the abstract class because it is not complete. It sets a behavioral protocol for all its child classes.

123 Q How will you define an interface?

An interface is defined with the keyword interface. Eg:
public interface MyInterface { }

124 Q How will you define an abstract class?

An abstract class is defined with the keyword abstract Eg:
public abstract class MyClass { }

125 Q What is any an anonymous class?

A An anonymous class is a local class with no name.

126 Q What is a JVM heap?

The heap is the runtime data area from which memory for all class instances and arrays is allocated. The heap may be of a fixed size or may be expanded. The heap is created on virtual machine start-up.

127 Q What is difference between string and StringTokenizer?

StringTokenizer as its name suggests tokenizes a String supplied to it as an argument to its constructor and the character based on which tokens of that string are to be made. The default tokenizing character is space " ".

128 Q What is the difference between array and ArrayList ?

Array is collection of same data type. Array size is fixed, It cannot be expanded. But ArrayList is a growable collection of objects. ArrayList is a part of Collections Framework and can work with only objects.

129 Q What is difference between java.lang .Class and java.lang.ClassLoader? What is the hierarchy of ClassLoader ?

Class 'java.lang.Class' represent classes and interfaces in a running Java application. JVM construct 'Class' object when class in loaded. Where as a ClassLoader is also a class which loads the class files into memory in order for the Java programs to execute properly. The hierarchy of ClassLoaders is:

Bootstrap ClassLoaders
Extensive ClassLoaders
System Classpath ClassLoaders
Application ClassLoaders

130 Q What is daemon thread?

Theards which are running on the background are called deamon threads. daemon thread is a thread which doesn't give any chance to run other threads once it enters into the run state it doesn't give any chance to run other threads. Normally it will run forever, but when all other non-daemon threads are dead, daemon thread will be killed by JVM

131 Q What is a green thread?

Native threads can switch between threads preemptively. Green threads switch only when control is explicitly given up by a thread ( Thread.yield(), Object.wait(), etc.) or a thread performs a blocking operation (read(), etc.). On multi-CPU machines, native threads can run more than one thread simultaneously by assigning different threads to different CPUs. Green threads run on only one CPU. Native threads create the appearance that many Java processes are running: each thread takes up its own entry in the process table. One clue that these are all threads of the same process is that the memory size is identical for all the threads - they are all using the same memory. The process table is not infinitely large, and processes can only create a limited number of threads before running out of system resources or hitting configured limits.

Core Java Interview Questions Part-7

2008-09-18T23:27:00.000-07:00

91 Q What is java byte code?

Byte code is an sort of intermediate code. The byte code is processed by virtual machine.

92 Q What is method overloading?

Method overloading is the process of creating a new method with the same name and different signature.

93 Q What is method overriding?

Method overriding is the process of giving a new definition for an existing method in its child class.

94 Q What is finalize() ?

Finalize is a protected method in java. When the garbage collector is executes , it will first call finalize( ), and on the next garbage-collection it reclaim the objects memory. So finalize( ), gives you the chance to perform some cleanup operation at the time of garbage collection.

95 Q What is multi-threading?

Multi-threading is the scenario where more than one threads are running.

96 Q What is deadlock?

Deadlock is a situation when two threads are waiting on each other to release a resource. Each thread waiting for a resource which is held by the other waiting thread.

97 Q What is the difference between Iterator and Enumeration?

Iterator differ from enumeration in two ways Iterator allow the caller to remove elements from the underlying collection during the iteration with well-defined semantics. And , method names have been improved.

98 Q What is the Locale class?

A Locale object represents a specific geographical, political, or cultural region

99 Q What is internationalization?

Internationalization is the process of designing an application so that it can be adapted to various languages and regions without changes.

100 Q What is anonymous class ?

A An anonymous class is a type of inner class that don't have any name.

101 Q What is the difference between URL and URLConnection?

A URL represents the location of a resource, and a URLConnection represents a link for accessing or communicating with the resource at the location.

102 Q What are the two important TCP Socket classes?

ServerSocket and Socket. ServerSocket is useful for two-way socket communication. Socket class help us to read and write through the sockets. getInputStream() and getOutputStream() are the two methods available in Socket class.

103 Q Strings are immutable. But String s="Hello"; String s1=s+"World" returns HelloWorld how ?

Here actually a new object is created with the value of HelloWorld

104 Q What is classpath?

Classpath is the path where Java looks for loading class at run time and compile time.

105 Q What is path?

It is an the location where the OS will look for finding out the executable files and commands.

106 Q What is java collections?

Java collections is a set of classes, that allows operations on a collection of classes.

107 Q Can we compile a java program without main?

Yes, we can. In order to compile a java program, we don't require any main method. But to execute a java program we must have a main in it (unless it is an applet or servlet). Because main is the starting point of a java program.

108 Q What is a java compilation unit.

A compilation unit is a java source file.

109 What are the restrictions when overriding a method ?

Overridden methods must have the same name, argument list, and return type (i.e., they must have the exact signature of the method we are going to override, including return type.) The overriding method cannot be less visible than the method it overrides( i.e., a public method cannot be override to private). The overriding method may not throw any exceptions that may not be thrown by the overridden method

110 Q What is static initializer block? What is its use?

A static initializer block is a block of code that declares with the static keyword. It normally contains the block of code that must execute at the time of class loading. The static initializer block will execute only once at the time of loading the class only.

Cobol Interview Questions Part-11

2008-09-17T08:40:00.010-07:00

178. Define the structure of a COBOL subroutine.

Ans: The PROCEDURE DIVISION header must have a using a phrase, if the data needs to be passed to the program. The operands of the USING phrase must be defined in the LINKAGE SECTION as 01-level or 77-level entries. No VALUE clause is allowed unless the data defined is a condition name.

If the program needs to be returned to the CALLER, use EXIT PROGRAM statement at the end of the program. GOBACK is an alternative, but is nonstandard.

179. What is difference between next sentence and continue

Ans: NEXT SENTENCE gives control to the verb following the next period. CONTINUE gives control to the next verb after the explicit scope terminator. (This is not one of COBOL II's finer implementations). It's safest to use CONTINUE rather than NEXT SENTENCE in COBOL II. CONTINUE is like a null statement (do nothing) , while NEXT SENTENCE transfers control to the next sentence (!!) (A sentence is terminated by a period). Check out by writing the following code example, one if sentence followed by 3 display statements: If 1 > 0 then next sentence end if display 'line 1' display 'line 2'. display 'line 3'. *** Note- there is a dot (.) only at the end of the last 2 statements, see the effect by replacing Next Sentence with Continue ***

180. What is the difference between Structured Cobol Programming and Object Oriented COBOL programming?

Ans: Structured programming is a Logical way of programming using which you divide the functionality's into modules and code logically. OOP is a Natural way of programming in which you identify the objects, first then write functions and procedures around the objects. Sorry, this may not be an adequate answer, but they are two different programming paradigms, which is difficult to put in a sentence or two.

181. PIC S9(4)COMP is used in spite of COMP-3 which occupies less space why?

Ans:S9(4) COMP uses only 2 bytes. 9(4) COMP-3 uses 3 bytes. 3 bytes are more than 2 bytes. Hence COMP is preferred over COMP-3 in this case.

182. How many number of bytes and digits are involved in S9(10) COMP?

Ans: 8 bytes (double word) and 10 digits. Up to 9(9) comp use full word, up to 9(18) comp needs double word.

183. How many numbers of decimal digits are possible, when the amount of storage allocated for a USAGE COMP item is a) half word b) full word c) double word?

Ans: 2 bytes (halfword) for 1-4 Digits 4 bytes (fullword) for 5-9

8 bytes (doubleword) for 10-18

184. What is a scope terminator? Give examples.

Ans: Scope terminator is used to mark the end of a verb e.g. EVALUATE, END-EVALUATE , IF, END-IF.

185. How many dimensions are allowed for a table?

Ans: 7

186. How many subscripts or indexes are allowed for an OCCURS clause?

Ans: 7

187. Why cannot Occurs be used in 01 level?

Ans: Because, Occurs clause is there to repeat fields with the same format, but not the records.

188. Can a REDEFINES clause be used along with an OCCURS clause?

Ans: Yes, if the REDEFINES clause is subordinate to OCCURS clause.

189. Can you specify PIC clause and a VALUE with an OCCURS clause? Will the following code compile without errors?

01 WS-TABLE.

03 WS-TABLE-EL OCCURS 5 TIMES PIC X(1) VALUE SPACES.

Ans: Yes, the code will compile without any errors.

190. What would be the output, when the following code is executed?

01 WS-TABLE.

03 WS-TABLE-EL OCCURS 5 TIMES PIC X(1) VALUE 'AAAAA'.

Ans:It cannot be executed because the code will compile with error ' "VALUE" literal "'AAAA'" exceeded the length specified in the "PICTURE" definition'.

191. 01 WS-TABLE.

03 WS-TABLE-EL OCCURS 5 TIMES PIC X(1) VALUE 'A'.

03 WS-EX REDEFINES WS-TABLE-EL PIC X(5). What can you expect?

Ans: Compile error. Direct Redefinition of OCCURS clause is not allowed.

192. 01 WS-TABLE.

03 WS-TABLE-EL OCCURS 5 TIMES.

04 FILLER-X PIC X(1) VALUE 'A'.

04 WS-EX REDEFINES FILLER-X PIC X(1).

What would be the output of DISPLAY WS-TABLE?

Ans: 'AAAAA'. The code will compile and execute as Redefinition of an item subordinate to OCCURS clause.

193. Can a SEARCH be applied to a table which does not have an INDEX defined?

Ans: No, the table must be indexed.

194. What is the difference between SEARCH and SEARCH ALL?

Ans: SEARCH - is a serial search.

SEARCH ALL - is a binary search & the table must be sorted ( ASCENDING/DESCENDING KEY clause to be used & data loaded in this order) before using SEARCH ALL.

195. What should be the sorting order for SEARCH ALL?

Ans:It can be either ASCENDING or DESCENDING. ASCENDING is default. If you want the search to be done on an array sorted in descending order, then while defining the array, you should give DESCENDING KEY clause. (You must load the table in the specified order).

196. What is binary search?

Ans:Search on a sorted array. Compare the item to be searched with the item at the center. If it matches, fine else repeat the process with the left half or the right half depending on where the item lies.

197. Can a SEARCH be applied to a table which does not have an INDEX defined?

Ans: No, the table must be indexed.

198. A table has two indexes defined. Which one will be used by the SEARCH verb?

Ans: The index named first will be used, by Search.

199. What are the different rules applicable to perform a binary SEARCH?

Ans: The table must be sorted in ascending or descending order before the beginning of the SEARCH. Use OCCURS clause with ASC/DESC KEY IS dataname1 option

The table must be indexed. There is no need to set the index value. Use SEARCH ALL verb

200. How does the binary search work?

Ans: First the table is split into two halves and in which half, the item need to be searched is determined. The half to which the desired item may belong is again divided into two halves and the previous procedure is followed. This continues until the item is found. SEARCH ALL is efficient for tables larger than 70 items.

Cobol Interview Questions Part-10

2008-09-17T08:40:00.009-07:00

151. What are the few advantages of VS COBOL II over OS/VS COBOL?

Ans: The working storage and linkage section limit has been increased. They are 128 megabytes as supposed to 1 megabytes in OS/VS COBOL.

Introduction of ADDRESS special register.

31-bit addressing. In using COBOL on PC we have only flat files and the programs can access only limited storage, whereas in VS COBOL II on M/F the programs can access up to 16MB or 2GB depending on the addressing and can use VSAM files to make I/O operations faster

152. What are the steps you go through while creating a COBOL program executable?

Ans: DB2 pre-compiler (if embedded SQL is used), CICS translator (if CICS program), Cobol compiler, Link editor. If DB2 program, create plan by binding the DBRMs.

153. Name the divisions in a COBOL Program

Ans: Identification / Environment/ Data/ Procedure Divisions

154. What are the different data types available in COBOL?

Ans: Alpha-numeric (X) , Alphabetic (A) and numeric (9).

155. What does the INITIALIZE verb do?

Ans: Alphabetic, Alphanumeric fields & alphanumeric edited items are set to SPACES. Numeric, Numeric edited items set to ZERO. FILLER , OCCURS DEPENDING ON items left untouched

156. What is the difference between a 01 level and 77 levels?

Ans: 01 level can have sublevels from 02 to 49. 77 cannot have sublevel.

157. What are 77 levels used for?

Ans: Elementary level item. Cannot be subdivisions of other items (cannot be qualified), nor can they be subdivided themselves.

158. What is 88 level used for?

Ans: For condition names.

159. What is level 66 used for?

Ans: For RENAMES clause.

160. What does the IS NUMERIC clause establish?

Ans: IS NUMERIC can be used on alphanumeric items, signed numeric & packed decimal items and unsigned numeric & packed decimal items. IS NUMERIC returns TRUE if the item only consists of 0-9. However, if the item being tested is a signed item, then it may contain 0-9, + and - .

161. Is compute w=u a valid statement?

Ans: Yes, it is. It is equivalent to move u to w.

162. In the above example, when will you prefer compute statement over the move statement?

Ans: When significant left-order digits would be lost in execution, the COMPUTE statement can detect the condition and allow you to handle it. The MOVE statement carries out the assignment with destructive truncation. Therefore, if the size error is needs to be detected, COMPUTE will be preferred over MOVE. The ON SIZE ERROR phrase of COMPUTE statement, compiler generates code to detect size-overflow.

163. What happens when the ON SIZE ERROR phrase is specified on a COMPUTE statement?

Ans: If the condition occurs, the code in the ON SIZE ERROR phrase is performed, and the content of the destination field remains unchanged. If the ON SIZE ERROR phrase is not specified, the assignment is carried out with truncation. There is no ON SIZE ERROR support for the MOVE statement.

164. How will you associate your files with external data sets where they physically reside?

Ans: Using SELECT clause, the files can be associated with external data sets. The SELECT clause is defined in the FILE-CONTROL paragraph of Input-Output Section that is coded Environment Division. The File structure is defined by FD entry under File-Section of Data Division for the OS.

165. How will you define your file to the operating system?

Ans: Associate the file with the external data set using SELECT clause of INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION. INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION appears inside the ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.

166. Explain the use of Declaratives in COBOL?

Ans: Declaratives provide special section that are executed when an exceptional condition occurs. They must be grouped together and coded at the beginning of procedure division and the entire procedure division must be divided into sections. The Declaratives start with a USE statement. The entire group of declaratives is preceded by DECLARIVES and followed by END DECLARITIVES in area A. The three types of declaratives are Exception (when error occurs during file handling), Debugging (to debug lines with 'D' coded in w-s section) and Label (for EOF or beginning...) declaratives.

167. How do you define a table/array in COBOL?

Ans:

01 ARRAYS.

05 ARRAY1 PIC X(9) OCCURS 10 TIMES.

05 ARRAY2 PIC X(6) OCCURS 20 TIMES INDEXED BY WS-INDEX.

168. Can the OCCURS clause be at the 01 level?

Ans: No

169. A statically bound subprogram is called twice. What happens to working-storage variables?

Ans:The working-storage section is allocated at the start of the run-unit and any data items with VALUE clauses are initialized to the appropriate value at the time. When the subprogram is called the second time, a working-storage items persist in their last used state. However, if the program is specified with INITIAL on the PROGRAM-ID, working-storage section is reinitialized each time the program is entered.

170. Significance of the COMMON Attribute ?

Ans:COMMON attribute is used with nested COBOL programs. If it is not specified, other nested programs will not be able to access the program. PROGRAM-ID. Pgmname is COMMON PROGRAM.

171. In which division and section, the Special-names paragraph appears?

Ans: Environment division and Configuration Section.

172. What is the LOCAL-STORAGE SECTION?

Ans:Local-Storage is allocated each time the program is called and is de-allocated when the program returns via an EXIT PROGRAM, GOBACK, or STOP RUN. Any data items with a VALUE clauses are initialized to the appropriate value each time the program is called. The value in the data items is lost when the program returns. It is defined in the DATA DIVISION after WORKING-STORAGE SECTION

173. What does passing BY REFERENCE mean?

Ans:When the data is passed between programs, the subprogram refers to and processes the data items in the calling program's storage, rather than working on a copy of the data. When

CALL . . . BY REFERENCE identifier. In this case, the caller and the called share the same memory.

174. What does passing BY CONTENT mean?

Ans:The calling program passes only the contents of the literal, or identifier. With a CALL . . . BY CONTENT, the called program cannot change the value of the literal or identifier in the calling program, even if it modifies the variable in which it received the literal or identifier.

175. What does passing BY VALUE mean?

Ans:The calling program or method is passing the value of the literal, or identifier, not a reference to the sending data item. The called program or invoked method can change the parameter in the called program or invoked method. However, because the subprogram or method has access only to a temporary copy of the sending data item, those changes do not affect the argument in the calling program. Use By value, If you want to pass data to C program. Parameters must be of certain data type.

176. What is the default, passing BY REFERENCE or passing BY CONTENT or passing BY VALUE?

Ans: Passing by reference (the caller and the called share the same memory).

177. Where do you define your data in a program if the data is passed to the program from a Caller program?

Ans: Linkage Section

Cobol Interview Questions Part-9

2008-09-17T08:40:00.008-07:00

140. Can you REWRITE a record in an ESDS file? Can you DELETE a record from it?

Ans: Can rewrite(record length must be same), but not delete.

141.What is file status 92?

Ans: Logic error. e.g., a file is opened for input and an attempt is made to write to it.

142.What is file status 39?

Ans: Mismatch in LRECL or BLOCKSIZE or RECFM between your COBOL pgm & the JCL (or the dataset label). You will get file status 39 on an OPEN.

143.What is Static, Dynamic linking ?

Ans: In static linking, the called subroutine is link-edited into the calling program , while in dynamic linking, the subroutine & the main program will exist as separate load modules. You choose static/dynamic linking by choosing either the DYNAM or NODYNAM link edit option. (Even if you choose NODYNAM, a CALL identifier (as opposed to a CALL literal), will translate to a DYNAMIC call).

A statically called subroutine will not be in its initial state the next time it is called unless you explicitly use INITIAL or you do a CANCEL. A dynamically called routine will always be in its initial state.

144.Explain NEXT and CONTINUE verbs for file handling.

Ans: A The Continue verb is used for a situation where there in no EOF condition. i.e. The records are to be accessed again and again in a file. Whereas in the next verb the indexed file is accessed sequentially, whence when index clause is accessed sequentially read next record command is used.

145. What is AMODE(24), AMODE(31), RMODE(24) and RMODE(ANY)? (applicable to only MVS/ESA).

Ans: These are compile/link edit options. AMODE - Addressing mode. RMODE - Residency mode.

AMODE(24) - 24 bit addressing. AMODE(31) - 31 bit addressing. AMODE(ANY) - Either 24 bit or 31 bit addressing depending on RMODE. RMODE(24) - Resides in virtual storage below 16 Meg line. Use this for 31 bit programs that call 24 bit programs. (OS/VS Cobol pgms use 24 bit addresses only). RMODE(ANY) - Can reside above or below 16 Meg line.

146. What compiler option would you use for dynamic linking?

DYNAM.

147. What is SSRANGE, NOSSRANGE ?

Ans: These are compiler options w.r.t subscript out of range checking. NOSSRANGE is the default and if chosen, no run time error will be flagged if your index or subscript goes out of the permissible range.

148. How do you set a return code to the JCL from a COBOL program?

Ans: Move a value to RETURN-CODE register. RETURN-CODE should not be declared in your program.

149. How can you submit a job from COBOL programs?

Ans: Write JCL cards to a dataset with

//xxxxxxx SYSOUT=(A,INTRDR) where 'A' is output class, and dataset should be opened for output in the program. Define a 80 byte record layout for the file.

150. What are the differences between OS VS COBOL and VS COBOL II?

Ans:

OS/VS Cobol pgms can only run in 24 bit addressing mode, VS Cobol II pgms can run either in 24 bit or 31 bit addressing modes allowing program to address above 16 Meg main storage line.
Report writer is supported only in OS/VS Cobol.
USAGE IS POINTER is supported only in VS COBOL II.
Reference modification eg: WS-VAR(1:2) is supported only in VS COBOL II.
COBOL II introduces new features (EVALUATE, SET ... TO TRUE, CALL ... BY CONTEXT, etc)
Scope terminators are supported in COBOL II.
OS/VS Cobol follows ANSI 74 stds while VS COBOL II follows ANSI 85 stds.
Under CICS Calls between VS COBOL II programs are supported.
COBOL II supports structured programming by using in-line PERFORM 's.
COBOL II does not support old features (READY TRACE, REPORT-WRITER, ISAM, etc.).
In non-CICS environment, it is possible. In CICS, this is not possible.

Cobol Interview Questions Part-8

2008-09-17T08:40:00.007-07:00

121. What is the difference between performing a SECTION and a PARAGRAPH?

Ans: Performing a SECTION will cause all the paragraphs that are part of the section, to be performed.

Performing a PARAGRAPH will cause only that paragraph to be performed.

122.Can I redefine an X(200) field with a field of X(100) ?

Ans: Yes.

123.What does EXIT do?

Ans: Does nothing ! If used, must be the only sentence within a paragraph.

124.Can I redefine an X(100) field with a field of X(200)?

Ans: Yes. Redefines just causes both fields to start at the same location. For example:

01 WS-TOP PIC X(1)

01 WS-TOP-RED REDEFINES WS-TOP PIC X(2).

If you MOVE '12' to WS-TOP-RED,

DISPLAY WS-TOP will show 1 while

DISPLAY WS-TOP-RED will show 12.

125.Can I redefine an X(200) field with a field of X(100) ?

Ans: Yes.

126. What do you do to resolve SOC-7 error?

Ans:Basically you need to correcting the offending data. Many times the reason for SOC7 is an un-initialized numeric item. Examine that possibility first. Many installations provide you a dump for run time abends ( it can be generated also by calling some subroutines or OS services thru assembly language). These dumps provide the offset of the last instruction at which the abend occurred. Examine the compilation output XREF listing to get the verb and the line number of the source code at this offset. Then you can look at the source code to find the bug. To get capture the runtime dumps, you will have to define some datasets (SYSABOUT etc ) in the JCL. If none of these are helpful, use judgement and DISPLAY to localize the source of error. You may even use batch program debugging tools.

127.How is sign stored in Packed Decimal fields and Zoned Decimal fields?

Ans:Packed Decimal fields: Sign is stored as a hex value in the last nibble (4 bits ) of the storage. Zoned Decimal fields: As a default, sign is over punched with the numeric value stored in the last bite.

128. How is sign stored in a comp-3 field?

Ans:It is stored in the last nibble. For example if your number is +100, it stores hex 0C in the last byte, hex 1C if your number is 101, hex 1D if the number is -101, hex 2D if the number is -102 etc...

129.How is sign stored in a COMP field ?

Ans: In the most significant bit. Bit is on if -ve, off if +ve.

130. What is the difference between COMP & COMP-3 ?

Ans: COMP is a binary storage format while COMP-3 is packed decimal format.

131. What is COMP-1? COMP-2?

COMP-1 - Single precision floating point. Uses 4 bytes. COMP-2 - Double precision floating point. Uses 8 bytes.

132. How do you define a variable of COMP-1? COMP-2?

Ans: No picture clause to be given. Example 01 WS-VAR USAGE COMP-1.

133. How many bytes does a S9(7) COMP-3 field occupy ?

Ans: Will take 4 bytes. Sign is stored as hex value in the last nibble.

General formula is INT((n/2) + 1)), where n=7 in this example.

134. How many bytes does a S9(7) SIGN TRAILING SEPARATE field occupy ?

Ans: Will occupy 8 bytes (one extra byte for sign).

135. What is the maximum size of a 01 level item in COBOL I? in COBOL II?

In COBOL II: 16777215

136. What is COMP SYNC?

Ans: Causes the item to be aligned on natural boundaries. Can be SYNCHRONIZED LEFT or RIGHT.

For binary data items, the address resolution is faster if they are located at word boundaries in the memory. For example, on main frame the memory word size is 4 bytes. This means that each word will start from an address divisible by 4. If my first variable is x(3) and next one is s9(4) comp, then if you do not specify the SYNC clause, S9(4) COMP will start from byte 3 ( assuming that it starts from 0 ). If you specify SYNC, then the binary data item will start from address 4. You might see some wastage of memory, but the access to this comp field is faster.

137. How do you reference the following file formats from COBOL programs?

Ans:Fixed Block File - Use ORGANISATION IS SEQUENTIAL. Use RECORDING MODE IS F, BLOCK CONTAINS 0. Fixed Unblocked - Use ORGANISATION IS SEQUENTIAL. Use RECORDING MODE IS F, do not use BLOCK CONTAINS. Variable Block File - Use ORGANISATION IS SEQUENTIAL. Use RECORDING MODE IS V, BLOCK CONTAINS 0. Do not code the 4 bytes for record length in FD. i.e. JCL record length will be max record length in program + 4 Variable Unblocked - Use ORGANISATION IS SEQUENTIAL. Use RECORDING MODE IS V, do not use BLOCK CONTAINS. Do not code 4 bytes for record length in FD ie JCL rec length will be max rec length in pgm + 4. ESDS VSAM file - Use ORGANISATION IS SEQUENTIAL. KSDS VSAM file - Use ORGANISATION IS INDEXED, RECORD KEY IS, Alternate Record Key Is RRDS File - Use ORGANISATION IS RELATIVE, RELATIVE KEY IS Printer File - Use ORGANISATION IS SEQUENTIAL. Use RECORDING MODE IS F, BLOCK CONTAINS 0. (Use RECFM=FBA in JCL DCB).

138. What are different file OPEN modes available in COBOL? In which modes are the files Opened to write.

Ans:Different Open modes for files are INPUT, OUTPUT, I-O and EXTEND. Of which Output and Extend modes are used to write new records into a file.

139. In the JCL, how do you define the files referred to in a subroutine?

Ans: Supply the DD cards just as you would for files referred to in the main program.

Cobol Interview Questions Part-7

2008-09-17T08:40:00.006-07:00

101.How many Sections are there in Data Division?.

Ans: SIX SECTIONS 1.'FILE SECTION' 2.'WORKING-STORAGE SECTION' 3.'LOCAL-STORAGE SECTION' 4.'SCREEN SECTION' 5.'REPORT SECTION' 6.'LINKAGE SECTION'

In COBOL II, there are only 4 sections. 1.'FILE SECTION' 2.'WORKING-STORAGE SECTION' 3.'LOCAL-STORAGE SECTION' 4.'LINKAGE SECTION'.

102. How can I tell if a module is being called DYNAMICALLY or STATICALLY?

Ans:The ONLY way is to look at the output of the linkage editor (IEWL)or the load module itself. If the module is being called DYNAMICALLY then it will not exist in the main module, if it is being called STATICALLY then it will be seen in the load module. Calling a working storage variable, containing a program name, does not make a DYNAMIC call. This type of calling is known as IMPLICITE calling as the name of the module is implied by the contents of the working storage variable. Calling a program name literal (CALL).

103. What is the difference between a DYNAMIC and STATIC call in COBOL.

Ans:To correct an earlier answer:All called modules cannot run standalone if they require program variables passed to them via the LINKAGE section. DYNAMICally called modules are those that are not bound with the calling program at link edit time (IEWL for IBM) and so are loaded from the program library (joblib or steplib) associated with the job. For DYNAMIC calling of a module the DYNAM compiler option must be chosen, else the linkage editor will not generate an executable as it will expect null address resolution of all called modules. A STATICally called module is one that is bound with the calling module at link edit, and therefore becomes part of the executable load module.

104. What is the difference between PIC 9.99 and 9v99?

Ans:PIC 9.99 is a FOUR-POSITION field that actually contains a decimal point where as PIC 9v99 is THREE-POSITION numeric field with implied or assumed decimal position.

105. How is PIC 9.99 is different from PIC 9v99?

Ans:PIC 9.99 is a four position field that actually contains a decimal point where as 9v99 is a three position numeric field with an implied or assumed decimal point.

106. what is Pic 9v99 Indicates?

Ans:PICTURE 9v99 is a three position Numeric field with an implied or assumed decimal point after the first position; the v means an implied decimal point.

107. what guidelines should be followed to write a structured COBOL program?

Ans:1) Use 'EVALUATE' stmt for constructing cases. 2) Use scope terminators for nesting. 3)Use in-line Perform stmt for writing 'do ' constructions. 4) Use Test Before and test after in the Perform stmt for writing Do-While constructions.

108. Read the following code.

01 ws-n PIC 9(2) value zero.

a-para.

move 5 to ws-n.

perform b-para ws-n times.

b-para.

move 10 to ws-n.

How many times will b-para be executed ?

Ans: 5 Times only. it will not take the value 10 that is initialized in the loop.

109. What are some examples of command terminators?

Ans: END-IF, END-EVALUATE

110.What care has to be taken to force program to execute above 16 Meg line?

Ans: Make sure that link option is AMODE=31 and RMODE=ANY. Compile option should never have SIZE(MAX).BUFSIZE can be 2K, efficient enough.

111.Give some advantages of REDEFINES clause.

Ans: You can REDEFINE a Variable from one PICTURE class to another PICTURE class by using the same memory location. By REDEFINES we can INITIALISE the variable in WORKING-STORAGE Section itself.3. We can REDEFINE a Single Variable into so many sub-variables.(This facility is very useful in solving Y2000 Problem.)

112.Why do we code s9(4)comp. Inspite of knowing comp-3 will occupy less space.

Ans: Here s9(4)comp is small integer ,so two words equal to 8 bytes. Totally it will occupy 2 bytes(4 words).here in s9(4) comp-3 as one word is equal to 1/2 byte.4 words equal to 2 bytes and sign will occupy 1/2 bytes totally it will occupy 3 bytes.

113. The maximum number of dimensions that an array can have in COBOL-85 is ________.

Ans: SEVEN in COBOL - 85 and THREE in COBOL - 84

114. Name the divisions in a COBOL program.

Ans: IDENTIFICATION DIVISION, ENVIRONMENT DIVISION, DATA DIVISION, PROCEDURE DIVISION.

115. What are the different data types available in COBOL?

Ans: Alpha-numeric (X), alphabetic (A) and numeric (9).

116. What is 77 level used for ?

Ans: Elementary level item. Cannot be subdivisions of other items (cannot be qualified), nor can they be subdivided themselves.

117. What is 88 level used for ?

Ans: For defining condition names.

118. What is level 66 used for ?

Ans: For RENAMES clause.

119. What does the IS NUMERIC clause establish?

Ans:IS NUMERIC can be used on alphanumeric items, signed numeric & packed decimal items and unsigned numeric & packed decimal items. IS NUMERIC returns TRUE if the item only consists of 0-9. However, if the item being tested is a signed item, then it may contain 0-9, + and - .

120. My program has an array defined to have 10 items. Due to a bug, I find that even if the program access the 11th item in this array, the program does not abend. What is wrong with it?

Ans: Must use compiler option SSRANGE if you want array bounds checking. Default is NOSSRANGE.

Cobol Interview Questions Part-6

2008-09-17T08:40:00.005-07:00

83. What is the significance of 'above the line' and 'below the line'?

Ans: Before IBM introduced MVS/XA architecture in the 1980's a program's virtual storage was limited to 16 megs. Programs compiled with a 24-bit mode can only address 16 MB of space, as though they were kept under an imaginary storage line. With COBOL II a program compiled with a 31 bit mode can be 'above the 16 Mb line. (This 'below the line', 'above the line' imagery confuses most mainframe programmers, who tend to be a literal minded group.)

84. What was removed from COBOL in the COBOL II implementation?

Ans: Partial list: REMARKS, NOMINAL KEY, PAGE-COUNTER, CURRENT-DAY, TIME-OF-DAY, STATE, FLOW, COUNT, EXAMINE, EXHIBIT, READY TRACE and RESET TRACE.

85. Explain call by context by comparing it to other calls.

Ans: The parameters passed in a call by context are protected from modification by the called program. In a normal call they are able to be modified.

86. What is the difference between comp and comp-3 usage? Explain other COBOL usages.

Comp is a binary usage, while comp-3 indicates packed decimal. The other common usages are binary and display. Display is the default. Comp is defined as the fastest/preferred numeric data type for the machine it runs on. IBM Mainframes are typically binary and AS400's are packed.'

87. I understand the possible causes for S0C1 & S0C4 abends, but what are they really?

Ans: A S0C1 occurs if the CPU attempts to execute binary code that isn't a valid machine instruction; e.g. if you attempt to execute data. A S0C4 is a memory protection violation. This occurs if a program attempts to access storage beyond the areas assigned to it.

88. What happens when we move a comp-3 field to an edited ( say z(9).zz-)

Ans:The editing characters are to be used with data items with usage clause as display, which is the default. When you try displaying a data item with usage as computational it does not give the desired display format because the data item is stored as packed decimal. So if u want this particular data item to be edited u have to move it into a data item whose usage is display and then have that particular data item edited in the format desired.

89. What are the causes for S0C1, S0C4, S0C5, S0C7, S0CB abends

Ans:S0C1 - May be due to 1.Missing or misspelled DD name 2.Read/Write to unopened dataset 3.Read to dataset opened output 4.Write to dataset opened input 5.Called subprogram not found. S0C4 may be due to 1.Missing Select statement(during compile) 2.Bad Subscript/index 3.Protection Exception 4.Missing parameters on called subprogram 5.Read/Write to unopened file 6.Move data from/to unopened file.

S0C5 May be due to 1.Bad Subscript/index 2.Close an unopen dataset 3.Bad exit from a perform 4.Access to I/O area(FD) before read.

S0C7 may be due to 1.Numeric operation on non-numeric data 2.Un-initialize working-storage 3.Coding past the maximum allowed sub script. S0CB may be due to 1.Division by Zero

90. What will happen if you code GO BACK instead of STOP RUN in a stand-alone COBOL program i.e. a program which is not calling any other program.

Ans: Both give the same results when a program is not calling any other program.

91. What is the difference between an External and a Global Variable 's?

Ans:Global variables are accessible only to the batch program whereas external variables can be referenced from any batch program residing in the same system library.

92. WHAT IS REPORT-ITEM?

Ans: A REPORT-item is a field to be printed that contains EDIT SYMBOLS

93. You are writing report program with 4 levels of totals:city,state,region and country. The codes being used can be the same over the different levels, meaning a city code of 01 can be in any number of states, and the same applies to state and region code show. Do you do your checking for breaks and how do you do add to each level?

Ans: Always compare on the highest-level first, because if you have a break at a highest level, each level beneath it must also break. Add to the lowest level for each rec but add to the higher level only on break.

94. What is PSB & ACB?

Ans: PSB : Program specification block. Inform about how a specific program is to be access one or more IMS DB. It consists of PCB(Prg Communication Block). Information to which segment in DB can be accessed, what the program is allowed to do with those segment and how the DB is to be accessed. ACB : Access Control Blocks are generated by IMS as an expansion of information contained in the PSB in order to speed up the access to the applicable DBD's.

95. What's a LDS(Linear Data Set) and what's it used for ?

Ans: LDS is a VSAM dataset in name only. It has unstructured 4k (4096 bytes) fixed size CIs which do not contain control fields and therefore from VSAM's standpoint they do not contain any logical records. There is no freespace, and no access from Cobol. Can be accessed by DB2 and IMS fast path datasets. LDS is essentially a table of data maintained on disk. The 'table entries' must be created via a user program and can only be logically accessed via a user program. When passed, the entire LDS must be mapped into storage, then data is accessed via base and displacement type processing.

96. What is the Importance of GLOBAL clause According to new standards of COBOL

Ans: When any data name, file-name , Record-name, condition name or Index defined in an Including Program can be referenced by a directly or indirectly in an included program, Provided the said name has been declared to be a global name by GLOBAL Format of Global Clause is01 data-1 PIC 9(5) IS GLOBAL.

97. What is the Purpose of POINTER Phrase in STRING command

Ans: The Purpose of POINTER phrase is to specify the leftmost position within receiving field where the first transferred character will be stored

98.How do we get currentdate from system with century?

Ans: By using Intrinsic function, FUNCTION CURRENT-DATE

99.what is the difference between search and search all in the table handling?

Ans: Search is a linear search and search all is a binary search.

100.What is the maximum length of a field you can define using COMP-3?

Ans: 10 Bytes (S9(18) COMP-3).

Cobol Interview Questions Part-5

2008-09-17T08:40:00.004-07:00

70. What are INPUT PROCEDURE and OUTPUT PROCEDURE?

Ans: Sometimes, it is necessary that the records must be edited before or after the sorting. In such cases,

SORT workfile ASC/DESC KEY key1, ...

INPUT PROCEDURE IS ipproc

OUTPUT PROCEDURE is outproc

Is used. In the INPUT PROCEDURE the input file is opened, records are read and edited and then are released to the sorting operation. Finally the file is closed. RELEASE sortrecname FROM inp-rec.

In the OUTPUT PROCEDURE, output file is opened, the sorted record is returned to the Output record area and then the record is written. Finally the file is closed. RETURN workfile RECORD into out-rec.

71. What is the format of a simple MERGE verb? Can INPUT PROCEDURE and OUTPUT PROCEDURE can be specified for MERGE verb?

Ans: MERGE work file ON ASC/DESC KEY key1...

USING inputfile1, inputfile2...

GIVING outputfile

INPUT PROCEDURE cannot be specified. Only OUTPUT PROCEDURE can be specified

72. How will you position an indexed file at a specific point so that the subsequent sequential operations on the file can start from this point?

Ans: Use START

START filename KEY IS EQ/GT/LT.. dataname

INVALID KEY ...

73. What are the access mode requirements of START statement?

Ans: Access mode must be SEQUENTIAL or DYNAMIC

74. What are the opening mode requirements of START statement?

Files must be opened in the INPUT or I-O mode.

75.What is the LINKAGE SECTION used for?

Ans: The linkage section is used to pass data from one program to another program or to pass data from a PROC to a program. It is part of a called program that 'links' or maps to data items in the calling program's working storage. It is the part of the called program where these share items are defined.

76. If you were passing a table via linkage, which is preferable - a subscript or an index?

Ans: Wake up - you haven't been paying attention! It's not possible to pass an index via linkage. The index is not part of the calling programs working storage. Indexing uses binary displacement. Subscripts use the value of the occurrence.

77. What is the difference between a subscript and an index in a table definition?

A subscript is a working storage data definition item, typically a PIC (999) where a value must be moved to the subscript and then increment or decrement it by ADD TO and SUBTRACT FROM statements. An index is a register item that exists outside the program's working storage. You SET an index to a value and SET it UP BY value and DOWN BY value. Subscript refers to the array occurrence while index is the displacement (in no of bytes) from the beginning of the array. An index can only be modified using PERFORM, SEARCH & SET. Need to have index for a table in order to use SEARCH, SEARCH ALL Cobol statements.

78. What is an in line PERFORM? When would you use it? Anything else to say about it?

The PERFORM and END-PERFORM statements bracket all COBOL II statements between them. The COBOL equivalent is to PERFORM or PERFORM THRU a paragraph. In line PERFORMs work as long as there are no internal GO TOs, not even to an exit. The in line PERFORM for readability should not exceed a page length - often it will reference other PERFORM paragraphs. When the body of the Perform will not be used in other paragraphs. If the body of the Perform is a generic type of code (used from various other places in the program), it would be better to put the code in a separate para and use PERFORM paraname rather than in-line perform.

79. What is the use of EVALUATE statement? How do you come out of an EVALUATE statement?

Ans:Evaluate is like a case statement and can be used to replace nested Ifs. The difference between EVALUATE and case is that no 'break' is required for EVALUATE i.e. control comes out of the EVALUATE as soon as one match is made, There is no need of any extra code. EVALUATE can be used in place of the nested IF THEN ELSE statements.

80. What are the different forms of EVALUATE statement?

Ans: EVALUATE EVALUATE SQLCODE ALSO FILE-STATUS

WHEN A=B AND C=D WHEN 100 ALSO '00'

Imperative stmt imperative stmt

WHEN (D+X)/Y = 4 WHEN -305 ALSO '32'

imperative stmt imperative stmt

WHEN OTHER WHEN OTHER

imperative stmt imperative stmt

END-EVALUATE END-EVALUATE

EVALUATE SQLCODE ALSO A=B EVALUATE SQLCODE ALSO TRUE

WHEN 100 ALSO TRUE WHEN 100 ALSO A=B

imperative stmt imperative stmt

WHEN -305 ALSO FALSE WHEN -305 ALSO (A/C=4)

imperative stmt imperative stmt

END-EVALUATE END-EVALUATE

81. Can you use the INSPECT (with TALLYING option) Cobol verb in a CICS COBOL program?

Ans: Yes, under COBOL II environment, but not OS/VS COBOL.

82. What is an explicit scope terminator?

A scope terminator brackets its preceding verb, eg. IF .. END-IF, so that all statements between the verb and its scope terminator are grouped together. Other common COBOL II verbs are READ, PERFORM, EVALUATE, SEARCH and STRING.

Cobol Interview Questions Part-4

2008-09-17T08:40:00.003-07:00

51. What is LENGTH in COBOL II?

Ans: LENGTH acts like a special register to tell the length of a group or an elementary item.

52. What is the function of a delimiter in STRING?

Ans: A delimiter in STRING causes a sending field to be ended and another to be started.

53. What is the function of a delimiter in UNSTRING?

Ans: A delimiter when encountered in the sending field causes the current receiving field to be switched to the next one indicated.

54. How will you count the number of characters in a null-terminated string?

Ans: MOVE 0 TO char-count

INSPECT null-terminated-string TALLYING char-count FOR CHARACTERS BEFORE X"00"

55. Which statement will you use to move non-null characters from a null-terminated String?

Ans: UNSTRING null-terminated-string DELIMITED BY X"00" INTO target-area

COUNT IN char-count. (There are other methods, such as 1) using PERFORM 2) using SEARCH 3) using INSPECT and MOVE etc...)

56. 77 COUNTR PIC 9 VALUE ZERO.

01 DATA-2 PIC X(11). . .

INSPECT DATA-2

TALLYING COUNTR FOR LEADING "0"

REPLACING FIRST "A" BY "2" AFTER INITIAL "C"

If DATA-2 is 0000ALABAMA, what will DATA-2 and COUNTER be after the execution of INSPECT verb?

Ans: Counter=4. Data-2 will not change as the Initial 'C' is not found.

57. 01 DATA-4 PIC X(11).

:::

INSPECT DATA-4 CONVERTING

"abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz" TO "ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ"

AFTER INITIAL "/" BEFORE INITIAL"?"

What will the contents of DATA-4 be after the conversion statement is performed, if before conversion

a) DATA-4 = a/five/?six b) DATA-4 = r/Rexx/RRRr c) DATA-4 = zfour?inspe

Ans: a) a/FIVE/?six b) r/REXX/RRRR c) zfour?inspe (no change at all)

58. What kind of error is trapped by ON SIZE ERROR option?

Ans: Fixed-point overflow. Zero raised to the zero power.

Division by 0. Zero raised to a negative number.

A negative number raised to a fractional power.

59. What is the point of the REPLACING option of a copy statement?

Ans: REPLACING allows for the same copy to be used more than once in the same code by changing the replace value. COPY xxx REPLACING BY .

60. When is a scope terminator mandatory?

Ans: Scope terminators are mandatory for in-line PERFORMS and EVALUATE statements. For readability, it's recommended coding practice to always make scope terminators explicit.

61. Can you use REDEFINES clause in the FILE SECTION?

Ans: No

62. How will you define your record descriptions in the FILE SECTION if you want to use three different record descriptions for the same file?

Ans: FD filename

DATA RECORDS ARE rd01, rd02, rd03.

01 rd01 PIC X(n).

01 rd02 PIC X(n).

01 rd03 PIC X(n).

63. When will you open a file in the EXTEND mode?

Ans:When an existing file should be appended by adding new records at its end. EXTEND mode opens the file for output, but the file is positioned following the last record on the existing file.

64. What does a CLOSE WITH LOCK statement do?

Ans: The statement closes an opened file and it prevents the file from further being opened by the same program.

65. Which mode of opening is required when REWRITE is used?

Ans: I-O mode

66. Why is it necessary that the file be opened in I-O mode for REWRITE?

Ans:Before the REWRITE is performed, the record must be read from the file. Hence REWRITE includes an input operation and an output operation. Therefore, the file must be opened in I-O mode.

67. Which clause can be used instead of checking for FILE STATUS = 10?

Ans: FILE STATUS 10 is the end of file condition. Hence AT END clause can be used.

68. What is the format of a simple SORT verb? What kinds of files can be sorted using SORT?

Ans: SORT workfile ON ASC/DESC KEY key1, ASC/DESC KEY key2 ...

USING inputfile GIVING outputfile

Only sequential files can be sorted in this way.

69. What are the different rules of SORT that needs to be considered?

Ans: The input and output files must remain closed because SORT opens them and closes during the operation, The work file must have a SELECT clause. The work file must have sort description SD entry in the FILE SECTION. Input and Output files must have FD entries.

Cobol Interview Questions Part-3

2008-09-17T08:40:00.002-07:00

36. Which SEARCH verb is equivalent to PERFORM...VARYING?

The serial SEARCH verb (SEARCH without ALL)

37. What would be the output, when the following code is executed?

01 WS-TABLE.

03 WS-TABLE-EL OCCURS 5 TIMES PIC X(1) VALUE 'A'.

:::

DISPLAY WS-TABLE.

Ans: The output will display 'AAAAA'

38. Can a SEARCH be applied to a table which does not have an INDEX defined?

Ans: No, the table must be indexed.

39. What are the different rules applicable to perform a serial SEARCH?

Ans: The SEARCH can be applied to only a table which has the OCCURS clause and INDEXED BY phrase,

Before the use of the SEARCH the index must have some initial value. To search from beginning, set the index value to 1. Use the SEARCH verb without ALL phrase

40. A table has two indexes defined. Which one will be used by the SEARCH verb?

Ans: The index named first will be used, by Search.

41. What are the different rules applicable to perform a binary SEARCH?

Ans: The table must be sorted in ascending or descending order before the beginning of the SEARCH. Use OCCURS clause with ASC/DESC KEY IS dataname1 option

The table must be indexed. There is no need to set the index value. Use SEARCH ALL verb

42. How does the binary search work?

43. What is the difference between a binary search and a sequential search? What are the pertinent COBOL commands?

Ans: In a binary search the table element key values must be in ascending or descending sequence. The table is 'halved' to search for equal to, greater than or less than conditions until the element is found. In a sequential search the table is searched from top to bottom, so (ironically) the elements do not have to be in a specific sequence. The binary search is much faster for larger tables, While sequential Search works well with smaller ones. SEARCH ALL is used for binary searches; SEARCH for sequential.

44. Explain the difference between an internal and an external sort. The pros & cons & internal sort syntax ...

Ans: An external sort is not coded as a COBOL program; it is performed through JCL and PGM=SORT. One can use IBM utility SYNCSORT for external sort process. It is understandable without any code reference. An internal sort can use two different syntaxes: 1.) USING, GIVING sorts are comparable to external sorts with no extra file processing; 2) INPUT PROCEDURE, OUTPUT PROCEDURE sorts allow for data manipulation before and/or after the sort. Syntax:

SORT file-1 ON ASCENDING/DESCENDING KEY key...USING file-2 GIVING file-3. USING can be substituted by INPUT PROCEDURE IS para-1 THRU para-2 GIVING can be substituted by OUTPUT PROCEDURE IS para-1 THRU para-2. file-1 is the sort work file and must be described using SD entry in FILE SECTION. file-2 is the input file for the SORT and must be described using an FD entry in FILE SECTION and SELECT clause in FILE CONTROL. file-3 is the outfile from the SORT and must be described using an FD entry in FILE SECTION and SELECT clause in FILE CONTROL. file-1, file-2 & file-3 should not be opened explicitly. INPUT PROCEDURE is executed before the sort and records must be RELEASEd to the sort work file from the input procedure. OUTPUT PROCEDURE is executed after all records have been sorted. Records from the sort work file must be RETURNed one at a time to the output procedure. .How do you define a sort file in JCL that runs the COBOL program? Use the SORTWK01, SORTWK02,..... dd names in the step. Number of sort datasets depends on the volume of data being sorted, but a minimum of 3 is required.

45. Which is the default, TEST BEFORE or TEST AFTER for a PERFORM statement?

TEST BEFORE. By default the condition is checked before executing the instructions under Perform.

46. What is the difference between PERFORM ... WITH TEST AFTER and PERFORM ... WITH TEST BEFORE?

Ans:If TEST BEFORE is specified, the condition is tested at the beginning of each repeated execution of the specified PERFORM range. If TEST AFTER is specified, the condition is tested at the end of the each repeated execution of the PERFORM range. With TEST AFTER, the range is executed at least once.

47. How do you code an in-line PERFORM?

Ans: PERFORM ... ... END-PERFORM.

48. In an EVALUTE statement is the order of the WHEN clauses significant?

Yes. Evaluation of the WHEN clauses proceeds from top to bottom and their sequence can determine results.

49. What is the default value(s) for an INITIALIZE and what keyword allows for an override of the default.

Ans:INITIALIZE sets spaces to alphabetic and alphanumeric fields. Initialize sets Zeroes to numeric fields. FILLER, OCCURS DEPENDING ON items are left untouched. The REPLACING option can be used to override these defaults.

50. What is SET TO TRUE all about, anyway?

Ans:In COBOL II the 88 levels can be set rather than moving their associated values to the related data item. (Web note: This change is not one of COBOL II's better specifications.)

Cobol Interview Questions Part-2

2008-09-17T08:40:00.001-07:00

17. What is the default, passing BY REFERENCE or passing BY CONTENT or passing BY VALUE?

Ans: Passing by reference (the caller and the called share the same memory).

18. Where do you define your data in a program if the data is passed to the program from a Caller program?

Ans: Linkage Section

19. Define the structure of a COBOL subroutine.

Ans:The PROCEDURE DIVISION header must have a using a phrase, if the data needs to be passed to the program. The operands of the USING phrase must be defined in the LINKAGE SECTION as 01-level or 77-level entries. No VALUE clause is allowed unless the data defined is a condition name.

If the program needs to be returned to the CALLER, use EXIT PROGRAM statement at the end of the program. GOBACK is an alternative, but is nonstandard.

20. What is difference between next sentence and continue

Ans:NEXT SENTENCE gives control to the verb following the next period. CONTINUE gives control to the next verb after the explicit scope terminator. (This is not one of COBOL II's finer implementations). It's safest to use CONTINUE rather than NEXT SENTENCE in COBOL II. CONTINUE is like a null statement (do nothing) , while NEXT SENTENCE transfers control to the next sentence (!!) (A sentence is terminated by a period). Check out by writing the following code example, one if sentence followed by 3 display statements: If 1 > 0 then next sentence end if display 'line 1' display 'line 2'. display 'line 3'. *** Note- there is a dot (.) only at the end of the last 2 statements, see the effect by replacing Next Sentence with Continue ***

21. What is the difference between Structured Cobol Programming and Object Oriented COBOL programming?

Ans:Structured programming is a Logical way of programming using which you divide the functionality's into modules and code logically. OOP is a Natural way of programming in which you identify the objects, first then write functions and procedures around the objects. Sorry, this may not be an adequate answer, but they are two different programming paradigms, which is difficult to put in a sentence or two.

22. PIC S9(4)COMP IS USED INPSPITE OF COMP-3 WHICH OCCUPIES LESS SPACE.WHY?

Ans:S9(4) COMP uses only 2 bytes. 9(4) COMP-3 uses 3 bytes. 3 bytes are more than 2 bytes. Hence COMP is preferred over COMP-3 in this case.

23. How many number of bytes and digits are involved in S9(10) COMP?

8 bytes (double word) and 10 digits. Up to 9(9) comp use full word, up to 9(18) comp needs double word.

24. Which picture clause will you use to define a hexadecimal item in a VALUE clause?

Ans: 01 ws-hexitem PIC X(2) value X'020C'.

01 ws-hex redefines PIC S9(3) comp-3.

25. How many numbers of decimal digits are possible, when the amount of storage allocated for a USAGE COMP item is a) half word b) full word c) double word?

Ans: 2 bytes (halfword) for 1-4 Digits 4 bytes (fullword) for 5-9

8 bytes (doubleword) for 10-18

26. What is a scope terminator? Give examples.

Scope terminator is used to mark the end of a verb e.g. EVALUATE, END-EVALUATE; IF, END-IF.

27. How many dimensions are allowed for a table?

Ans: 7

28. How many subscripts or indexes are allowed for an OCCURS clause?

Ans: 7

29. Why cannot Occurs be used in 01 level?

Ans: Because, Occurs clause is there to repeat fields with the same format, but not the records.

30. Can a REDEFINES clause be used along with an OCCURS clause?

Ans: Yes, if the REDEFINES clause is subordinate to OCCURS clause.

31. Can you specify PIC clause and a VALUE with an OCCURS clause? Will the following code compile without errors?

01 WS-TABLE.

03 WS-TABLE-EL OCCURS 5 TIMES PIC X(1) VALUE SPACES.

Ans: Yes, the code will compile without any errors.

32. What would be the output, when the following code is executed?

01 WS-TABLE.

03 WS-TABLE-EL OCCURS 5 TIMES PIC X(1) VALUE 'AAAAA'.

Ans:It cannot be executed because the code will compile with error ' "VALUE" literal "'AAAA'" exceeded the length specified in the "PICTURE" definition'.

33. 01 WS-TABLE.

03 WS-TABLE-EL OCCURS 5 TIMES PIC X(1) VALUE 'A'.

03 WS-EX REDEFINES WS-TABLE-EL PIC X(5). What can you expect?

Ans: Compile error. Direct Redefinition of OCCURS clause is not allowed.

34. 01 WS-TABLE.

03 WS-TABLE-EL OCCURS 5 TIMES.

04 FILLER-X PIC X(1) VALUE 'A'. 04 WS-EX REDEFINES FILLER-X PIC X(1).

What would be the output of DISPLAY WS-TABLE?

Ans: 'AAAAA'. The code will compile and execute as Redefinition of an item subordinate to OCCURS clause.

35. Is this allowed?

01 WS-TABLE.

03 FILLER-X PIC X(5) VALUE 'AAAAA'.

03 WS-EX REDEFINES FILLER-X OCCURS 5 TIMES PIC X(1).

Ans: Yes