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Rational® Performance Tester
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.
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.
Dataset overview
Datasets provide tests with variable data during a run. When you record a test, you perform a sequence of steps that you expect a typical user to perform. After the recording, a test is generated that captures these interactions. When you run this test, it uses the same data that you used during recording. To vary the data in the test, you use a dataset, that contains variable data. At run time, this variable data is substituted for the data in the recorded test.

Rational® Performance Tester
- Release Notes
  This document contains information about what's new, installation instructions, known issues in IBM® Rational® Performance Tester, and contact information of IBM Customer Support.
- System Requirements
  This document includes information about hardware and software requirements for IBM® Rational® Performance Tester.
- Getting Started
  This guide provides an overview and describes the task flows to get you to start with Rational® Performance Tester. This guide is intended for new users.
- Tutorials
  This section contains the tutorials which explains the main features of Rational® Performance Tester.
- Samples
  This section describes about the sample project which can be used with Rational® Performance Tester to test the functionality of an application.
- Administrator Guide
  This guide describes how to install Rational® Performance Tester. After you install the product, you can perform administration tasks such as license configuration and integration with other products. This guide is intended for administrators.
- 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.
      - Dataset overview
        Datasets provide tests with variable data during a run. When you record a test, you perform a sequence of steps that you expect a typical user to perform. After the recording, a test is generated that captures these interactions. When you run this test, it uses the same data that you used during recording. To vary the data in the test, you use a dataset, that contains variable data. At run time, this variable data is substituted for the data in the recorded test.
      - Creating a dataset associated with a test
        You can create a dataset that contains variable data for tests to use when they run. This is the preferred way to create a dataset because the dataset is automatically associated with a test. You can create anything from an empty dataset that contains one column, which you can edit later, to a fully functioning dataset.
      - Creating a dataset in a workspace
        You can create datasets in a workspace containing variable data that tests use when they run. You can use this method to create a dataset if you have not yet created the test that will use it.
      - Converting an existing datapool to a dataset
        Starting from 9.5 the dataset formerly known as datapool is in the CSV format. You can convert any existing datapool to a dataset.
      - Creating datasets with multiple substitutions
        Earlier to 9.2, you could substitute one dataset value at a time. Starting from 9.2, after the test is generated, you can view all the dataset candidates, add multiple candidates as dataset values, substitute values, and create a new dataset out of it. You can also substitute multiple dataset candidates for an existing dataset.
      - How dataset options affect values that a virtual user retrieves
        The Open, Access, and Wrap modes that you select for a dataset affect the values that a virtual user retrieves.
      - Enabling a test to use a dataset
        Before a test can use variable data from a dataset, you must update the test to include a reference to that dataset.
      - Associating a test value with a dataset column
        After you have created a dataset and have enabled your test to use the dataset, you can associate a specific value in the test with a specific dataset column.
      - Viewing dataset candidates when you open a test
        Dataset candidates are displayed automatically when you open a test for the first time. From the dataset candidates window you can view the dataset candidates in the test, bookmark locations of interest, and add or remove dataset references.
      - Editing datasets
        You can add, modify, remove, import, or export data from a dataset by using the CSV Editor. The working principle of the CSV Editor is similar to that of a spreadsheet.
      - Using a digital certificate store with a dataset
        You can associate the certificates in one or more certificate stores with a dataset to use multiple digital certificates during testing.
      - Navigating between a dataset and a test
        After you have created a dataset or imported a comma-separate values (CSV) file into a dataset, you can navigate between the dataset and associated tests in the test editor. You can enlarge the test and the dataset, list the datasets that a test uses, navigate from a row in a dataset to the corresponding element in the test, see the data for a page or request, and add or remove dataset references.
    - 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 transformation
      You can transform HTTP application specific data such as JSON data, 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.
- Test Execution Specialist Guide
  This guide describes tasks that you can perform on schedules, test execution with custom code, and Extending Rational® Performance Tester to support other protocols. This guide is intended for testers or test execution specialists.
- Test Manager Guide
  This guide describes how to keep track of the performance of the application by evaluating the test results. This guide is intended for test managers.
- Troubleshooting Guide
  This guide describes how to analyze and resolve some of the common problems that you might encounter while you work with Rational® Performance Tester.
- Reference Guide
  This guide describes, additional topics to gain more knowledge about Rational® Performance Tester.
- All Guides (PDFs)
  You can find the link to view or download the content of the release notes, system requirements, and persona guides of Rational® Performance Tester as a PDF file.
- Security Considerations
  You can take certain actions to ensure that your installation is secure, customize your security settings, and set up user access controls.
- Notices
  This document provides information about copyright, trademarks, terms and conditions for the product documentation.

Dataset overview

Datasets provide tests with variable data during a run. When you record a test, you perform a sequence of steps that you expect a typical user to perform. After the recording, a test is generated that captures these interactions. When you run this test, it uses the same data that you used during recording. To vary the data in the test, you use a dataset, that contains variable data. At run time, this variable data is substituted for the data in the recorded test.

If you need to create a dataset with many records, you can initialize the dataset quickly by importing data from a comma-separated-value (CSV) file. Also, you can export test data from your dataset into a CSV file to enable you to maintain large volumes of test data as a spreadsheet for reuse. Earlier to 9.5, the dataset (formerly known as datapool) was in .datapool format and starting from the 9.5 release, the dataset is in the csv format.

You can copy the CSV file and paste into your project to import the data from a CSV file and create a dataset. Similarly, to export the dataset values as a CSV file, you must copy the dataset from your project and paste it into your local machine.

Note: Alternatively, you can use the Import option available in the CSV editor to import the data from a CSV file. For more information, see Editing datasets.

Perform the following steps should you plan to create a test that searches the IBM® website for three items: IBM® Rational® Performance Tester, IBM® Rational® Functional Tester, and IBM® Rational® Manual Tester:

Record a test that searches for one item. For more information, see Recording an HTTP test.
Create a dataset and associate it with the test. For more information, see Creating a dataset associated with a test.
Associate a request in the test with a column in the dataset. For more information, see Associating a test value with a dataset column.
Add a loop in the test to fetch the values from different rows of a dataset. A test without a loop fetches the value only from the first row of the dataset. For more information, see Adding a loop to a test.