HP recently announced its official mobile test automation solution –UFT Mobile – jointly developed by HP and Perfecto Mobile. This solution allows users to naturally extend their existing HP Functional Testing and Application Lifecycle Management environment to mobile applications.
To address key challenges in testing mobile applications across multiple devices in a highly fragmented market, UFT Mobile leverages two specially designed capabilities with respect to object recognition and analysis. These features are known as Hybrid Object Support and Hybrid Test Automation (for closed operating systems like iOS).
Hybrid Object Support in HP UFT Mobile
UFT Mobile utilizes a hybrid approach to object recognition, combining the use of visual object analysis and object level analysis. Such an approach enables users to choose the most appropriate object recognition technique for a given script, based on the application’s complexity and various testing scenarios, without compromising quality.
While each approach has its advantages and drawbacks, both are essential in mobile test automation and completely supported in UFT Mobile. Visual screen analysis uses OCR and advanced image matching technologies to replicate the REAL user experience on the actual device. Object level analysis enables fast and 100% accurate test automation, based on access to the low level OS.
Using only object level analysis, users may miss GUI defects, object truncations and so forth. On the other hand, relying solely on Visual Objects, you may not always being able to identify the correct objects from the application under test (see the example below).
Hybrid Test Automation in HP UFT Mobile
UFT Mobile supports automated testing of mobile applications on any OS platform (e.g., Android, iOS, BlackBerry and others). Patented technology allows users to develop device-agnostic scripts across mobile operating systems and devices. The screenshot below shows how UFT Mobile can be used to test a mobile application on two devices, each using a different mobile operating system. (Click on the image for full view)
When developing automated tests on the closed iOS operating system, test developers are limited by their inability to access to the low level OS objects, and are not able to identify the unique objects and perform actions on them. To overcome this limitation, UFT Mobile supports two different methods for iOS test automation: jailbreaking and source instrumentation. UFT Mobile uses a hybrid approach that lets you choose which type of tests to implement on which iOS device according to the nature of your application, project needs, and policy.
Let’s take a look at these methods.
- Jailbreaking: This refers to the process of removing the limitations placed by Apple on the iOS device in order to get low level (root) access to the operating system. This allows the tester to be able to recognize the objects within the application being tested. It is important to understand that jailbreaking has no impact whatsoever on the source code, functionality or security of the application under test. Keep in mind that this testing method is carried out in a closed and secure environment that is used only for testing purposes. After testing, the application will run on a standard iOS device and undergo the Apple certification process.
- Source Instrumentation: Source instrumentation is performed by compiling the application being tested with an additional piece of code that provides access (“back door”) to the low level OS for object recognition. This code enables the tester to execute the low level calls and get the Object IDs from the operating system (without the need to root/jailbreak the device).
What’s important here is the need to be able to support both methods within a single solution. UFT Mobile provides this flexibility, enabling organization to optimize their test automation to meet the needs of increasingly complex mobile applications.
Bottom Line
HP UFT Mobile enables testers/developers to test their application on any device or OS through a secure, cloud-based platform. UFT Mobile utilizes an innovative hybrid approach for object recognition, as well as specific hybrid test automation capabilities for iOS, which offer enterprises maximum flexibility, coverage and efficiency in their mobile testing. Check the video below for a quick demo.
