QTP - Introduction
QTP stands for QuickTest Professional, a product of Hewlett Packard (HP). This tool helps testers to perform an automated functional testing seamlessly, without monitoring, once script development is complete.
HP QTP uses Visual Basic Scripting (VBScript) for automating the applications. The Scripting Engine need not be installed exclusively, as it is available as a part of the Windows OS. The Current version of VBScript is 5.8, which is available as a part of Win 7. VBScript is NOT an object-oriented language but an object-based language.
Testing Tools
Tools from a software testing context, can be defined as a product that supports one or more test activities right from planning, requirements, creating a build, test execution, defect logging and test analysis.
Classification of Tools
Tools can be classified based on several parameters. It includes −
- The purpose of the tool
- The activities that are supported within the tool
- The type/level of testing it supports.
- The kind of licensing (open source, freeware, commercial)
- The technology used
Types of Tools
| Sr.No. |
Tool Type |
Used for |
Used by |
| 1 |
Test Management Tool |
Test Managing, scheduling, defect logging, tracking and analysis. |
Testers |
| 2 |
Configuration management tool |
For Implementation, execution, tracking changes |
All Team members |
| 3 |
Static Analysis Tools |
Static Testing |
Developers |
| 4 |
Test data Preperation Tools |
Analysis and Design, Test data generation |
Testers |
| 5 |
Test Execution Tools |
Implementation, Execution |
Testers |
| 6 |
Test Comparators |
Comparing expected and actual results |
All Team members |
| 7 |
Coverage measurement tools |
Provides structural coverage |
Developers |
| 8 |
Performance Testing tools |
Monitoring the performance, response time |
Testers |
| 9 |
Project planning and Tracking Tools |
For Planning |
Project Managers |
| 10 |
Incident Management Tools |
For managing the tests |
Testers |
Where QTP Fits in?
QTP is a Functional testing tool, which is best suited for regression testing of the applications. QTP is a licensed/commercial tool owned by HP, which is one of the most popular tools available in the market. It compares the actual and the expected result and reports the results in the execution summary.
QTP – History and Evolution
HP Quick Test Professional was originally owned by Mercury Interactive and it was acquired by HP. Its original name was Astra Quick Test and later named as Quick Test Professional but the latest version is known as Unified Functional Tester (UFT).
Version History
Now let us take a look at the version history of QTP.
| Versions |
Timelines |
| Astra Quick Test v1.0 to v5.5 - Mercury Interactive |
May 1998 to Aug 2001 |
| QuickTest Professional v6.5 to v9.0 - Mercury Interactive |
Sep 2003 to Apr 2006 |
| Hp-QuickTest Professional v9.1 to v11.0 - Acquired and Released by HP |
Feb 2007 to Sep 2010 |
| Hp-Unified Functional Testing v11.5 to v11.53 |
2012 to Nov 2013 |
Advantages
Developing automated tests using VBScript does not require a highly skilled coder and is relatively easy when compared to other object oriented programming languages.
Easy to use, ease of navigation, results validation, and Report generation.
Readily Integrated with Test Management Tool (Hp-Quality Center) which enables easy scheduling and monitoring.
Can also be used for Mobile Application Testing.
Since it is an HP product, full support is provided by HP and by its forums for addressing technical issues.
Disadvantages
Unlike Selenium, QTP works in Windows operating system only.
Not all versions of Browsers are supported and the testers need to wait for the patch to be released for each one of the major versions.
Having said, that it is a commercial tool, the licensing cost is very high.
Even though scripting time is less, the execution time is relatively higher as it puts load on the CPU & RAM.
