Using Shell Tests

To create a shell test, while in PTF Explorer select Create, and then Shell Test.

A shell test is a type of test that is meant to be used primarily to call other tests. For this reason, a shell test only supports these actions:

• Runtime actions - modify the behavior of tests during execution. Execution actions include Skip_PageSave, Skip_RunRequest, Skip_Login, StopOnError, and Set_Options.

• Test.Exec - calling other tests. Test.Exec enables you to call multiple test cases with a test and, using the #Ignore reserved word, skip the test call for certain test cases.

• DataMover.Exec - calling data mover scripts.

• Query.Exec - running queries.

• Log.Message and Log.Screenshot.

• Variable.Set_Value - manipulating variables.

Organizing component tests into shells enables you to identify large business-process oriented type tests (that is, the type that cross multiple components and online activities). The steps available in shell tests are intentionally limited in order to represent high-level business process flows through called test routines.

PTF variables are global, so you can set a variable in the shell test and use it in the called tests, or you can set a variable in a test and use it in the shell test or other called tests.