Automation Design Canvas 1.0 (RC0) Released!

We are happy to unveil our RC0 of design canvas. RC0 represents the full feature set that we are planning for V1.0 release. RC0 also incorporates tons of feedback from our customers that have downloaded and used our beta. From this point on, we will only be taking bug fixes or major/adoption blocker features. We believe we have a very compelling and complete solution for dynamic web automation in this release. If you downloaded our beta we encourage you to upgrade to RC0. RC0 contains tons of bug fixes and additional features here are some of the major ones:

1. Dialogs Support: This includes both Html Pop-ups and Win32 Dialogs like alerts, logons or Download dialogs (For both IE/Firefox). We also included a "Generic" dialog handler for custom Win32 dialogs that enable you to define your own dialog titles, content search and how you want it handled.


2. Visual Studio Integration:
1. MSTest Execution: Execution using MSTest is now supported.
2. Create TestLists: We had a bug in that space. Now you can create TestLists, save them and execute them.
3. Data:
1. VS Data Sources: You can now drive your test using one of Visual Studio's supported data source like CSV files, XML Files and any DataBase. Select the test in "Test View", and click on "Data Connection String" in the properties window.
2. Data Range Constraints: Once your data is bound to a data source (Regardless if it is the built in data grid or a VS external source), you can define an iteration range to execute against. (i.e. 1:4, runs iteration 1 through 4)
3. Per Iteration Test Results: The Test Explorer now allows you to view test results on a per iteration. Pick an iteration from the drop down and the Test Explorer will be populated with the results for that specific iteration.
4. XML Based Elements Storage: In Beta our elements storage (i.e Elements.WebAiiElements file) was binary based. Now it is XML based and human readable.
5. Editing Elements in the Element's Explorer: In Beta that was restricted. Now you can easily update the names of Pages/Frames/TestRegions or specific elements with a Friendly Name that can be used to easily identify the element. These names will be used for code generation when you choose to convert tests to code.
6. Enhanced Element Search Alogrithm: We now use a more robust element search mechanism that tries to identify elements using single attributes then attribute combinations (included text content) before defaulting to tag index. Our testing showed how our algorithm produces highly reliable test automation. The algorithm is completely customizable using the UserSettings->Element Identification tab.
7. Page Url Configuration: The Page's Urls captured can now be configured/changed to customize how these pages are identified. For example, you can change a page to be identified by its Title vs its full url. Or maybe you want the page to be identified using the Base Url only or the Relative path + the query string. All of that is easily customizable per page.
8. SetText:
1. Automatic Password Detection: Automatically detects passwords and masks them.
2. SimulateRealTyping: You can optionally turn that on for that step and the text will be typed one letter at a time using a settable speed. This is great for automating scenarios like auto-complete text boxes.
9. WaitOnElements: All steps now have the option to wait on their elements to exist before executing the test. This is turned on by default. With this feature many of your dynamic applications no longer need an explicit Wait for Exists. You can optionally turn that feature off on a per step basis if needed. Each step also has a WaitOnElementsTimout that can be set.
10. Annotation Step Type: You can now add custom annotation messages within your steps with a configurable display time.
11. Capture Step Type: Add browser captures or desktop captures as part of your test to visually capture browser or desktop states during your test execution.
12. Simulate Real Click: You can now optionally use DOM Click (Default) or SimulateRealClick which will move the mouse to that element and click it like a real user.
13. Browser Constraints: You can now configure specific steps to run only on specific browser types. (i.e. Run this step only on Firefox or IE or both)
14. Pause: You can optionally pause your execution right before or after a specific step. This will show modal dialog that halts execution and allows you to inspect the state of the test right at that point. This is configurable on each step.
15. Browser agnostic Style-Color Validation: The designer now uses a browser agnostic style validation mechanism that abstracts out the different color persisting formats between IE and Firefox (i.e. rgb(r,g,b) vs #xxxxxx or named colors)
16. Tons of bugs fixes specifically the IE Blank Page issue: We fixed the IE extension to work seamlessly now. Keep in mind that if you are running:
1. Vista : You still need to disable "Protection Mode"
2. Windows 2003/2008 Server: Uninstall the "Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration"
   
   

We really encourage you to try this updated build. If you have any feedback please don't hesitate to email us at CONTACT _AT_ ARTOFTEST.COM.

Note to WebAii Framework Users: The designers install RC2 of the WebAii Framework. This build includes tons of bug fixes and feature enhancements described here:

Enjoy!

ArtOfTest Team.