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Test Author Guide
This guide describes how to create test scripts in Rational® Performance Tester and enhances tests by applying different test elements such as dataset, variables, and verification points. This guide is intended for testers.
Editing tests
After you record a test, you can edit it to include datasets (to provide variable data rather than the data that you recorded), verification points (to confirm that the test runs as expected), and data correlation (to ensure that returned data is appropriate for the corresponding request). You can also add protocol-specific elements to a test. When you edit a test, the modified items appear in italic type. The italic type changes to regular type after you save the test.
Correlating response and request data
For a test to run correctly, a request that is sent to a server might need to use a value that was returned by a previous request. By ensuring that this data is correlated accurately, you can produce better performance tests.
Data correlation rules overview
You can use the data correlation rules editor to customize how data is correlated. You can control how references and substitutions are generated in tests, and store these rules so that you do not have to manually correlate data in every test that you record against a particular application.
Generate data correlation rules in the test editor
Instead of writing rules in the rules editor, you can generate rules automatically based on data correlation adjustments that you make while editing tests.
Saving manual data correlation in a rule set file
You can generate data correlation rules based on the data correlation changes made to a performance test. This feature analyzes the data correlation adjustments that you have made to a test and saves those adjustments as a data correlation rule set file. You can use the rule set file to automatically correlate the data for other tests that run against the same application.

Test Author Guide
This guide describes how to create test scripts in Rational® Performance Tester and enhances tests by applying different test elements such as dataset, variables, and verification points. This guide is intended for testers.
- Creating tests
  To create a test, you record representative interactions with an application.
- Editing tests
  After you record a test, you can edit it to include datasets (to provide variable data rather than the data that you recorded), verification points (to confirm that the test runs as expected), and data correlation (to ensure that returned data is appropriate for the corresponding request). You can also add protocol-specific elements to a test. When you edit a test, the modified items appear in italic type. The italic type changes to regular type after you save the test.
  - Editing HTTP tests
    After you record a test, you can edit it to include variable data rather than the data that you recorded and can include verification points to confirm that the test runs as expected. You can also edit the test to include [NB1] transactions, conditional processing, custom code, and standard header or custom header to a request or response.
  - Editing SAP tests
    After you record a test, you can edit it to include variable data (rather than the data that you recorded) and verification points (to confirm that the test runs as expected).
  - Editing Citrix tests
    After you record a test, you can edit it to include variable data (rather than the data that you recorded), verification points (to confirm that the test runs as expected), transactions, conditional processing, and custom code.
  - Editing service tests
    After you record a service test, you can edit the calls and message returns to include variable data (rather than the data that you recorded). You can add verification points (to confirm that the test runs as expected), transactions, conditional processing, and custom code.
  - Editing Socket tests
    Improve the Socket tests by adding test elements.
  - Editing Kerberos tests
    You can change the Kerberos realm, user name, and password when editing tests.
  - Adding test elements
    You can add a variety of elements to a test, such as transaction blocks, IF-THEN conditions, loops, and comments.
  - Searching within tests
    Search request data or response content by right-clicking in the data or content and selecting Find. To search for specific element types and to display the results in a table, click Select. For a still more powerful search and replace, use the Test Search function.
  - Exporting a test
    To share the test scripts with manual testers or reviewers who do not have the workbench, export the test scripts to text files. You can export one file at a time.
  - Copying test assets with dependencies
    You can export test assets, and then import them into another project or workspace without losing any dependencies. Test assets include projects, schedules, and tests. You can export and import test assets to collaborate with other testers.
  - Disabling portions of a test
    When you disable portions of a test, you can still see the disabled portion, but it is not executed during a run. You can also disable portions of a schedule by using the following procedure.
  - Running test elements in random order
    You can record multiple user scenarios in a test and then run each scenario in a random order. To do this, you put each scenario under a random selector and then select the proportion of time that the scenario should be run.
  - Renaming test assets
    As your test assets increase and become more complex, you might want to rename them. Use the Eclipse Rename function or save the assets under a different name.
  - Deleting test assets
    As your test assets grow and become more complicated, you might want to delete the assets that you no longer use.
  - Debugging custom code for tests and compound tests
    If you have custom code added to a test or a compound test, you can debug the custom code for any errors by clicking the Debug button.
  - Providing tests with variable data (datasets)
    You can produce more realistic tests by changing them to use datasets. During execution, a test that uses a dataset replaces a value in the recorded test with variable test data that is stored in the dataset. This substitution allows each virtual user to generate a different request to the server.
  - Test variables
    A test variable is a user-defined, name-value pair that stores and refers to information throughout a test and between tests.
  - Correlating response and request data
    For a test to run correctly, a request that is sent to a server might need to use a value that was returned by a previous request. By ensuring that this data is correlated accurately, you can produce better performance tests.
    - Data correlation overview
      A request can include data that was returned in the response to a previous request. Associating data in this manner is called data correlation.
    - Viewing data correlation
      You can switch between viewing all test elements in the test editor and viewing only elements related to data correlation in the test editor. Viewing only data correlation elements makes it easier to add and remove substitutions.
    - Data correlation rules overview
      You can use the data correlation rules editor to customize how data is correlated. You can control how references and substitutions are generated in tests, and store these rules so that you do not have to manually correlate data in every test that you record against a particular application.
      - Creating data correlation rule sets
        To use rules-based data correlation, you must create a data correlation rule set. Data correlation rule sets are also known as rules files.
      - Creating a reference using data correlation rules
        You can create a data correlation rule that creates a reference from a regular expression when the rule is applied to test data.
      - Creating a substitution with data correlation rules
        You can create a data correlation rule that creates a substitution from a regular expression that is applied to test data.
      - Example: Linking references to substitutions with rules
        You can create data correlation rules to link references to substitutions.
      - Example: Linking substitutions to references with rules
        You can create data correlation rules to link substitutions to references.
      - Example: Linking substitutions to built-in data sources with rules
        You can create data correlation rules to link substitutions to built-in data sources. Built-in data sources include the dynamically calculated variables such as Current Date, Random Number, and Timestamp.
      - Recorrelating data with rules
        After you have created a data correlation rule set, you can recorrelate data in tests.
      - Recording tests with data correlation rules
        After you have created a data correlation rule set, you can record a test that uses those rules.
      - Generate data correlation rules in the test editor
        Instead of writing rules in the rules editor, you can generate rules automatically based on data correlation adjustments that you make while editing tests.
        Generating rules while you edit
        You can generate rules automatically as you make changes to data correlation in the test editor. With this feature, you can see what a typical data correlation action looks like in rule form.
        Saving manual data correlation in a rule set file
        You can generate data correlation rules based on the data correlation changes made to a performance test. This feature analyzes the data correlation adjustments that you have made to a test and saves those adjustments as a data correlation rule set file. You can use the rule set file to automatically correlate the data for other tests that run against the same application.
      - Viewing data correlation rule usage
        To see a record of all the elements that changed when data correlation rules are applied, open the data correlation rules log. You can use the data correlation rules log to determine which rules worked and which did not.
    - Test data sources overview
      Use the Test Data Sources window to add or change data correlation for any supported test element.
    - Creating a reference or field reference
      When you designate a test value as a reference or designate a set of test data as a field reference, you can use the data elsewhere in the test.
    - Correlating multiple fields in a test
      Some tests are structured in such a way that you must correlate data for multiple fields.
    - Guidelines for adjusting data correlation
      When you run a test, you might notice that the server is not under the expected load or that your database is not being updated as expected. Incomplete or incorrect data correlation can cause these problems.
    - Finding data correlation errors
      You can use the Potential Correlation Errors view to find missing or incorrect data correlations.
    - Disabling data correlation
      You can disable a data correlation source or a substitution site. When you disable a data source, none of the substitution sites that use the source will be correlated when you run tests. When you disable a substitution site, only that specific substitution site is disabled. Other substitution sites that use the same reference will be correlated when you run tests. You can also disable data correlation entirely for subsequent tests that you record.
    - Recorrelating test data
      If you disabled automatic data correlation before recording a test, you can regenerate the test with automatic data correlation enabled.
  - Data transformation
    You can transform HTTP application specific data such as binary data and encoded data to a more readable format to use data correlation.
- Compound tests
  You can create compound tests to help you organize smaller tests into scenarios that can then be run end-to-end. You can combine tests from different extensions to achieve end-to-end flow.
- Simulating services with stubs
  Service stubs enable you to simulate the behavior of an actual service for a wide variety testing or integration purposes.
- Sending service requests with the generic service client
  The generic service client enables you to send requests to services for which you do not have a convenient client and to view the responses returned by the service.
- Emulating workloads
  You emulate a workload by creating a schedule and adding user groups/rate runner groups, tests, and other elements to it.

Saving manual data correlation in a rule set file

You can generate data correlation rules based on the data correlation changes made to a performance test. This feature analyzes the data correlation adjustments that you have made to a test and saves those adjustments as a data correlation rule set file. You can use the rule set file to automatically correlate the data for other tests that run against the same application.

Before you begin

Create a performance test. Adjust the data correlation so that the test runs correctly. To learn more about adjusting data correlation, see Guidelines for adjusting data correlation.

Procedure

Open a performance test for editing.
Adjust data correlation as you typically would in the test editor. For example, create or delete references, substitution sites, datasets, or variables.
Right-click in the Test Contents window, and then select Data Correlation > Save All Manual Correlation in Ruleset file.
The test is analyzed to determine the set of data correlation rules that represents the adjustments that you have made to data correlation. The Save Data Correlation Rule Set wizard opens. The data correlation rules are displayed.
Clear the check boxes of any rules that you do not want to save, and then click Next.
Typically, when saving manual data correlation, you save all the generated rules, because the generated rules represent the data correlation required for the test to run correctly.
Type a file name, and then click Save.

What to do next

You can use the generated rules file to perform data correlation on other tests that run against the same application. To learn more about applying data correlation rules to existing tests, see Recorrelating data with rules.