WinRunner - TSL Functions

This article explains about Types of TSL Functions like Analog functions, Context Sensitive functions, Standard functions and Customization functions.

TSL stands for “Test Scripting Language”. The test scripts are written in Test Scripting Language in winrunner. TSL is an enhanced, C-like programming language designed for testing. The advantages of TSL are:

 

 

1. It is easy to use.

2. It is similar to other programming languages. So a person who is in touch with basic concepts of programming can write test scripts easily.

3. It is a high level language.

4. The language provides various types of functions, which makes scripting easy.

 

 

Four basic types of Functions exist in Test Scripting Language.

• Analog functions
• Context Sensitive functions
• Standard functions
• Customization functions

All these functions can be used in winrunner whereas they are not available in some other automation tools.

 

Analog functions record and execute operations at specified screen coordinates. When you record in Analog mode, these functions are used to depict mouse clicks, keyboard input, and the exact coordinates traveled by the mouse. When you run a test, Analog functions retrace the mouse tracks and exactly resubmit the input you recorded. Analog functions also support different test operations such as synchronization, verification, and text manipulation.

The analog functions can again be classified bases on their operation. The various analog functions available are:

Bitmap Checkpoint Functions:
check window - Compares a bitmap of an AUT window to an expected bitmap.

Input Device Functions:
Click, get, move, mtype, type are the various input device functions.

Synchronization functions:
wait window is an example of synchronization functions.

Table Functions:
Various table operations can be performed through these functions. Classic examples of table operations are clicking a table cell, double clicking a table cell, dragging a table.

Text Checkpoint Functions:

Click on text, find, get, move locator to a specified text are some of the examples of text checkpoint functions.

 

 

 

Context Sensitive functions depict actions on the application under test in terms of GUI objects (such as windows, lists, and buttons), ignoring the physical location of an object on the screen. In Context Sensitive mode, each time you record an operation on the application under test (AUT), a TSL statement is generated in the test script which describes the object selected and the action performed.

 

 

Different context-sensitive functions can be summarized as follows:

• Active Bar Functions
• ActiveX/Visual Basic Functions.
• Bitmap Checkpoint Functions
• Button Object Functions
• Calendar Functions
• Database Functions
• Data – driven test Functions
• GUI related Functions
• Java Functions
• List and Menu object Functions
• Oracle Functions
• WAP Functions
• Web Functions, etc.

 

 

 

Standard functions include the general elements of a programming language, such as basic input and output, control-flow, mathematical, and array functions. By combining these elements with Analog and Context Sensitive functions, you can transform a simple test into an advanced testing program.

 

 

 

The various standard functions can be summarized as follows:

• Arithmetic Functions
• Array Functions
• Call Statements
• Compiled Module Functions
• I/O Functions
• Load Testing Functions
• Operating System Functions, etc.

 

 

Customization functions allow you to enhance your testing tool so that it better supports your specific needs. For example, you can add functions to the Function Generator, or create custom GUI checkpoints.

The various customization functions are:

• Custom Record Functions
• Custom User Interface Functions
• Function Generator Functions
• GUI Checkpoint Functions