Your e-Business Quality Partner eValid™ -- Automated Web Quality Solution
Browser-Based, Client-Side, Functional Testing & Validation,
Load & Performance Tuning, Page Timing, Website Analysis,
and Rich Internet Application Monitoring.

eValid -- EVALUATING: Functional Testing and Validation

Getting Started

System Requirements
Architecture
Installation
GUI Basics
preferences
Files
User Manual
Getting Help
License Key Issues
eValid Usage Issues

Functional Testing: Record/Play/Validate
Basic Concepts
Recording
Advanced Recording
Validation
Playback
Preferences
Advanced Preferences
Log Files
Test Data Generation
Charts

Getting Started

System Requirements

What are the System Requirements for eValid?

Do I need to have I.E. installed?

Yes, eValid requires the presence of at least Internet Explorer 5.5 as eValid makes use of the libraries contained within I.E.

Architecture

What is a important about eValid?

The advantages of using eValid are:

Installation

How do I install eValid?
Follow the steps outlined below in order to successfully install eValid:
  1. Double Click on the eValid installer (eValid6.exe) if you have downloaded the program from our website or insert the eValid CD in your CD ROM drive and double click the eValid install icon.
  2. The "Welcome to the Install Shield Wizard for eValid" page is displayed. Click "Next" to proceed.
  3. Carefully review the eValid "SOFTWARE PRODUCT LICENSE AGREEMENT". Click on "Yes" if you agree to the terms and conditions of the license.
  4. Select a folder where eValid will be installed. The default setting will install eValid in "C:\Program Files\Software Research". Click "Browse" to install in another location.
  5. Choose the appropriate options for your eValid installation. Click "Next".
  6. As soon as eValid completes the installation, review the installation results. Click "Next".
  7. Click "Finish".

GUI Basics

How do I start recording a test?

To start recording a test, follow these simple steps:
  1. Click on the red button on the upper right hand side of eValid -or- Access the eValid menu (Record > Start Recording) -or- By pressing F4 to start recording.
  2. You will be prompted to enter a name for the test you are about to create.
  3. Perform a series of actions in the site you are testing.
  4. Stop recording by pressing the Stop button on the upper right hand side of eValid
    -or-
    Press F4 to stop recording.
How do I play back my script?

To start playing back a test, follow these simple steps:

  1. Press the play button on the upper right hand side of eValid
    -or-
    Access the eValid menu (Playback > Start Playback)
    -or-
    Press the F6 key.

Preferences

How do I access the eValid Preferences?

Use one of two ways to open the eValid Preferences:

  1. Press Ctrl + F2.
  2. Click on the eValid menu, select "Settings", choose the appropriate preferences desired.

How do I access and control the cache manager?

Use one of two ways to open the eValid Preferences:

  1. Press F2.
  2. Click on the eValid menu, select "Settings", and choose the Cache Manager.

Can I save different sets of preferences?

You can save a specific set of options from the eValid Profile Manager. Follow the steps below in order to save your settings to a profile.

  1. Select the options that you want to be included in the profile.
  2. Click on Profiles.
  3. Check Save Profile.
  4. Enter a unique name for the profile you are creating.
  5. Click on "OK".
  6. Click on "Save" to apply the changes.

Files

What are evs/evl files?

  1. An evs file is the test that is produced from the recording.
  2. An evl file is a Load Test that is created to include the original script file (*.evs).

Where did I save the script I recorded?

By default, the script is saved under the eValid Project/Group folder unless otherwise specified in the preferences.

What other files are produced by eValid?

Other files produced by eValid are the Event Log, Error Log, Performance Log, and the Timing Log.

User Manual

Where do I find the eValid User Manual?

The eValid User Manual can be accessed through eValid by clicking (Help > Documentation > User Manual).

Is there a local copy of the eValid User Manual?

As eValid continually evolves, we are also continually updating the user manual to reflect changes made in the product making it unsuitable to include local copies.

Is there a hardcopy version of the manual?

A PDF Document of the Online User Manual is available for downloading.

Getting Help

Do I have to pay for Technical Support?

Users doing an EVAL of eValid are entitled to limited free product related Technical Support. However, users who use REVENUE keys must be subscribed to maintenance support to access Technical Support.

How do I reach Technical Support?

You can reach eValid Technical Support by sending us email using the eValid menu (Help > E-mail Tech Support) or by giving us a call at 1-800-942-SOFT. If you're having trouble with a script or a recording simply send us a copy of the script and our Technical Support Staff will be glad to help you out.

License Key Issues

I get an error saying "Unable to locate evalid.lic. Identify license file to process?" How do I resolve this?

Make sure that your license key is in the proper folder as well as the eValid executable.

I get an invalid, corrupted, or expired license message. How can I resolve this?

Make sure that your license is still valid by opening it in a text editor and checking the expiration date. Do not alter anything in the license file as the key is encrypted.

For support with you current license, send us your details using the eValid menu (Help > E-mail Tech Support).

My license file seems to be valid but I still keep on getting the invalid, corrupted or expired message. What else can I do?

If you had a previous installation of eValid and had it installed in a different location other than the default location, follow these simple steps to correct this issue (or have your System's Administrator perform the equivalent changes):

  1. Using "regedit" the Registry Editor.
  2. Open "My Computer > HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > ...
  3. Continue to Open "Software Research > eValid > eV_Section_Zero".
  4. Look for the eValid entry:
    LicenseFile=%PATH%
  5. Modify or remove the current path and any related values of the eValid license file properties accordingly.
  6. Click "OK" and exit the Registry Editor.
  7. Run eValid again.

eValid Usage Issues

Can I use eValid as a regular browser?

Yes, eValid can be used normally as a browser.

Can I use eValid with other versions of Windows?

As a full featured test enabled web browser, we have only tested eValid with Windows 2000/XP/Vista/Windows 7. We cannot guarantee accurate results or proper operation from running eValid in operating systems not mentioned above.

Functional Testing

Basic Concepts

What is Regression Testing?

Regression Testing is a retesting of a software system that has been modified to ensure, that any defect that has been fixed, and that no other previously working functions have failed as a result of changes made within the software.

How do Is Regresson Testing Performed?

Regression testing is performed after a developer has attempted to fix a recognized problem or has modified the source code to a program that may have introduced errors. It is a means of Quality Control to ensure that the added code complies with the software requirements.

How is the eValid script recorded?

An eValid script is created by recording the series of interactions that the user performs as commands that are appended to an ascii text file.

Will I be able to edit the script commands easily?

Yes, the recorded script commands can be easily edited in a text editor or in the eValid script dialog box.

How does eValid report errors during playback?

Errors that occur during playback are reported through a Playback Data Dialog. You can then launch the appropriate log files which contain the error report, etc.

How are the reports displayed?

The reports are displayed in ascii, html, or graphical formats.

What is the level of detail of the reports?

eValid can produce simple logs, standard logs, or detailed logs. The level of detail the log file produce can be set in the eValid preferences.

Recording

How do I view the script I am recording?

Use one of two ways to view a script:

  1. Press Ctrl + Alt + S

  2. -or-
  3. Click eValid menu (Window > View > Script Window).

Can I edit the script while I am in record mode?

Yes, the script can be edited or altered during recording.

How do I record sub-windows?

If not automatically, sub-windows can be recorded by turning on Advanced Recording Modes like Application Mode and/or Record Desktop Window features of eValid. However, there are certain options needed to be set in order to produce the correct recording.

Are there any special settings to record sub windows?

When recording sub-windows dealing with applications or opaque objects, turning on the absolute mode recording features is also necessary in order to be able to record clicks within the sub-window.

Advanced Recording

What is a Modal Dialog?

A modal dialog puts the user in a state of being able to work only inside the dialog box. It temporarily suspends all other actions in an application. It forces the user to dismiss the modal dialog by creating choices for the user to select in order to proceed with a specific action. Most often, Modal Dialogs are added to confirm a change that the user will be making.

How do I record clicking a Modal Dialog?

Modal Dialog interaction can be recorded by adding special commands from the eValid. The commands are located in the "Script File" window, (Insert > Modal Dialog Commands > ... ) and can be inserted during recording or during edit mode.

How do I record Applets?

Applets can be recorded by the use of the Advanced Recording features in eValid which contain the controls for applet recording.

How do I record Applications?

You can turn on Application Mode Recording using one of two ways:

  1. Turn on Application Mode Recording (F12)

  2. -or-
  3. Click eValid menu (Record > Advanced Recording > Application Mode).

Validation

What is a Validate Command?

During recording the tester can note (validate) certain features of pages that are automatically checked during playback. Validation modes include text, images, checksums of image parts, page properties, etc.

What are the different validation modes of eValid?

The different validation modes of eValid are:

What should I not validate?

Objects in a page that change constantly are not recommended to be validated as it will cause an error/warning to be displayed in the log files.

Playback

What are the different playback modes available to eValid?

eValid can be run in Single Step, Run Multiple, Run Forever, Synthesized mode.

How important is the wait multiplier in a playback

The wait multiplier controls the speed of playback. Normally, the intervals you record are played back exactly as you recorded them. The wait multiplier multiplies the recorded delays by any number you choose. Entering a wait multiplier of 0 results in a script without delays.

How can I change the wait multiplier?

The wait multiplier can be changed through the eValid menu (Settings > Record/Play Prefs > Playback) preferences.

Preferences

What is available in the preferences?

The eValid preferences contain the following options to change eValid's settings:

Advanced Preferences

What is available in the advanced preferences?

The Advanced Preferences contain the options:

Log Files

How do I select which log file I want produced?

Options in eValid can be set to produce only the relevant log files for the test. Follow these simple steps to change the options in the log management area of the preferences:
  1. Click on (Settings > Record/Play Preferences)
    -or-
    Press Ctrl + F2 to access the eValid Preferences.
  2. Under Project/Log Management, check or uncheck the logs the you want eValid to produce/hide.

How can I view the playback logs as HTML files?

Follow these steps to view the log files as HTML.

  1. Bring up the log dialog window.
  2. Click options (View > HTML Table)
    -or-
    Press Ctrl + Alt + H
    -or-
    Click on the "View Data as HTML Table" button in the log dialog toolbar.

How can I view the playback logs graphically?

Follow these steps to view the logs as graphs.

  1. Bring up the log dialog window.
  2. Click options (View > Graph (Single or Multiple)).
    -or-
    Press Ctrl + G (for Single)
    -or-
    Press Ctrl + Alt + G (for Multiple)
    -or-
    Click on the toolbar for "View last single playback data"
    -or-
    "View all logged playback data" toolbar.

Test Data Generation

What is Data Synthesis?

eValid data synthesis playback mode allows a single parameterized script to play back many instances with parametric values selected from a simple user-assigned value table.

How is data generated using data synthesis?

Data Synthesis playback retrieves data from a simple line by line table.

What is eV.Generate?

eV.Generate is a utility that creates eValid script files based on placing either sequentially or randomly chosen selection values from a user supplied table into a script file.

How does eV.Generate differ from Data Synthesis?

In Data Synthesis, data choices are specifically deterministic and constrained, vs. all combinations or random selections run from eV.Generate.

Charts

What types of charts are produced from playback of a script?

A user has the option to display chart information from the most current run alone or from past multiple runs. Follow these simple steps to view the charts generated:

  1. Click on eValid menu (Window > Graphs (Single)).

  2. -or-
  3. Click on eValid menu (Window > Graphs (All Logged)).

  4. -or-
  5. Click on eValid menu (Window > Log Graphs).

  6. -or-
  7. Click on eValid menu (Window > Logs > LoadTest Chart).

Are there charts for each type of Log produced by eValid?

Yes, each log file produces a chart illustrating the data gathered for a specific chart.