Defining Test Parameters

To increase the flexibility of your tests, you can add parameters to your tests. This enables you to run the same test repeatedly with different data each time.

When working with a manual test, you can add parameters to the design steps from within the test or you can add parameters by calling them from other tests. This is useful if you have common steps you often want to perform as part of other tests.

When working with an automated test, you can define parameters for a test script from within the test or you can load parameters from a shared test resource file.

When defining a test configuration, you define data by setting test parameter values for each test configuration.

In Designing Test Steps, you defined steps for the Credit Cards test. In this exercise, you will add parameters to enhance this test.

To define test parameters:

  1. Display the Parameters tab for the Credit Cards test.

    1. In the test plan tree, expand the Payment Methods folder, and select the Credit Cards test.

    2. Click the Parameters tab.

  2. Add a parameter.

    1. Click the New Parameter button. The Test Parameter Details dialog box opens.

    2. Type the following:

      Parameter Name: Credit card type.

      Default Value: American Express, Visa, or MasterCard.

    3. Click OK to close the Test Parameter Details dialog box. The parameter is added to the Parameters tab.

  3. Add an additional parameter.

    1. Click the New Parameter button. The Test Parameter Details dialog box opens.
    2. Type the following:

      Parameter Name: Credit card number.

      Default Value:1111-2222-3333-4444.

    3. Click OK to close the Test Parameter Details dialog box. The parameter is added to the Parameters tab.

  4. Assign parameters to the test steps.

    1. Click the Design Steps tab.

    2. Click the Description box of Step 5.

    3. Place the cursor after 1. Enter credit card type and click the Insert Parameter button. The Parameters dialog box opens.

    4. Select the Credit Card Type parameter. Click OK.

    5. Place the cursor after 2. Enter credit card number and click the Insert Parameter button. The Parameters dialog box opens. Select the Credit Card Number parameter. Click OK.

    6. The parameters are added to your design step.