The ALM Open Test Architecture API (OTA API) is a COM library that enables you to integrate external applications with ALM. COM integrates naturally with Microsoft Visual Basic, therefore the syntax and examples in this reference use Visual Basic.

Starting from ALM 16.0.1, ALM OTA API supports both 32-bit and 64-bit applications. For details about how to register ALM for 32-bit and 64-bit applications, visit http://<your ALM Server>:<port>/qcbin/CommonMode_index.htm.

For information about other implementation possibilities, consult your support representative.

Disclaimer about Library Members for internal use by the API:

Many items in the COM library are marked hidden. For technical reasons, these items are visible in some environments in spite of being marked hidden. Therefore, there is no way ALM can prevent OTA applications from using hidden members.

Such members are not documented in this reference. Other members are explicitly labeled "For internal use" (or "For internal use"). 

ALM advises you not to use undocumented members or members labeled "For internal use" (or "For internal use").  If you do, be aware that ALM does not support the use of hidden members by customers.

Uses of this Library

There are many ways to use Open Test Architecture programming to enhance site integration and customize ALM for your site. For example, you can:

• Add OTA code within the ALM Workflow scripts to extend Workflow capabilities.
• Create a custom test type.
• Enhance ALM VAPI-XP tests.
• Read information from an ALM project for use by an external tool or report generator, perhaps including sophisticated calculations on project data.
• Synchronize two ALM projects. For example, get defects reported by contractors on a public server and add them to the development projects inside the firewall.
• Synchronize customization data, such as custom lists, between projects on a site.
• Write a custom test execution program with sophisticated logic.
• Automatically format comment fields.
• Integrate other site tools and data with ALM. For example, have all new hires added to the ALM site users by the same system that assigns email addresses, or have your project planning tool create new ALM projects, adding the planned project resources as ALM project users with group assignments in accordance with their roles in the project.
• Integrate with other applications, such as Microsoft Excel and Word using the Microsoft Office Add-ins.
• Use with QuickTest Professional to enhance integration with other products.

Character Encoding

ALM, and therefore OTA applications, can handle text data in either Multibyte or Unicode encodings.