Eggplant Functional

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Eggplant Functional
Developer(s) eggplant
Operating system Windows, Linux, OS X (test controller); any system with VNC connection or able to be accessed via RDP (system under test).
Type Test automation, System Automation
License Proprietary
Website www.testplant.com   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Eggplant Functional is a black-box graphical user interface (GUI) test automation tool. It was developed in Boulder, Colorado, by Doug Simons, Jonathan Gillaspie, and John McIntosh.[ citation needed ] The software was developed by Redstone Software (a subsidiary of Gresham Computing PLC) starting in 2002. Redstone was acquired on 2 September 2008 by a UK-based company called Eggplant (formerly Testplant). [1] [2]

Contents

Approach

Eggplant Functional uses a two-system model consisting of a controller machine, where scripts are authored and executed, and a system under test (SUT), which may run a VNC server. Eggplant Functional can connect to the VNC server via its built-in viewer via TCP/IP or to a system that supports Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). [3] Any system with a VNC server can be a SUT. Originally Mac-only, the controller environment/IDE is now available on Linux [4] and Windows using GNUstep. [5]

The feature called SenseTalk allows for manual script creation or can be used in conjunction with an "assisted scripting" mode, which means that the scripter teaches Eggplant Functional to navigate a system and verify a set of test steps. The "Turbo Capture" feature facilitates the image capture process and generates SenseTalk code based on the actions executed. [6]

In 2011, Eggplant released Eggplant Functional v11, which integrated an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) engine. It is compatible with the Mac, Linux and Windows versions. [7]

Also in 2011, Eggplant was granted a US Patent, [8] and launched a mobile testing solution. [9]

In 2013, Eggplant Functional was localized in Chinese. [10]

Product

Eggplant Functional uses intelligent image recognition algorithms to "see" the display screen of the computer being tested. For this, the software secured a US patent for its "method for monitoring a graphical user interface on a second computer display from a first computer" [11] for its GUI testing tool. Human attention is also not needed with this feature. This brought it to the attention of UK Trade & Investment, specifically its defense and security arm, the DSO. [12]

Eggplant Functional can be run from Mac, Windows, or Linux to test any platform, technology, or browser. It can be used for mobile testing, cross-platform testing, rich internet application testing, and performance testing. The company also offers a free trial download of Eggplant Functional. [13]

Version 11 added the integration of the OCR engine and Mac OS X Lion Support. [14] Version 12 included an Eggplant Functional user interface redesign, consolidating the suite interface and scaling search which allows for testing across different sizes of screens with the same image. Version 14 added database integration via ODBC, the release of eggOn VNC for Android, and introduced the Image Update Tools for tweaking images and retraining scripts. Version 15 introduced Tables for keyword-driven testing and Turbo Capture for script recording. It also added the ability to push an application to a mobile device for installation and added a VNC server for Android devices that are built into Eggplant Functional and automatically pushed to the Android device when a connection is first made. [15] This new VNC server for Android allows the testing of the Android smartwatch. [16]

Integration

Eggplant has created integration plug-ins for some of the most popular continuous integration and ALM tools. These are collectively referred to as Eggplant Integrations. [17]

Scripts can also be written in other languages to call out to SenseTalk commands and utilize Eggplant Functional's image-based searching using eggDrive. [23]

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References

  1. ↑ "Testplant Announces the Acquisition of NCC Group's Web Performance Division and the Re-Branding of the Combined Company to Eggplant". www.businesswire.com. 28 March 2018. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  2. ↑ Barron, Jenna (28 March 2018). "Testplant rebrands itself after acquiring NCC Group's Web Performance Division". SD Times. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  3. ↑ "Creating Connections to SUTs".
  4. ↑ "Launch of Eggplant for Linux: new version of world-leading test tool".
  5. ↑ "Launch of Eggplant for Windows: latest version of world-leading universal test tool".[ permanent dead link ]
  6. ↑ "Creating Scripts with Eggplant Functional".
  7. ↑ ""Newswire Today", TestPlant Updates eggPlant with OCR and Support for Mac OS X Lion,07/26/2011". Newswiretoday.com. 26 July 2011. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
  8. ↑ "London tech company granted US patent for new interface tool". Archived from the original on 22 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  9. ↑ ""BloomBerg Businessweek", TestPlant Limited Launches Eggplant Mobile Testing Solution,02/14/2011". Investing.businessweek.com. 14 February 2011. Archived from the original on 15 October 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
  10. ↑ "TestPlant announces localisation of Eggplant for Chinese market". Archived from the original on 22 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  11. ↑ ""United States Patent", Method for monitoring a graphical user interface on a second computer display from a first computer, January 11, 2011". Patft.uspto.gov. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
  12. ↑ ""UK Trade and Investment", London technology company granted US patent for groundbreaking new interface tool, April 15, 2011". Ukti.gov.uk. 15 April 2011. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
  13. ↑ "'Eggplant functional free trial'".
  14. ↑ ""Test Plant Press Release", TestPlant updates industry-leading robotic test tool, Eggplant, with optical character recognition (OCR) and support for Mac OS X Lion, July 25, 2011". Testplant.com. 25 July 2011. Archived from the original on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  15. ↑ "Eggplant Functional Release Notes".
  16. ↑ "Using Eggplant Functional to test Android Smartwatches".
  17. ↑ "'Eggplant integrations'". Archived from the original on 1 May 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  18. ↑ "Eggplant Testing, new partner integration".
  19. ↑ "Using eggPlant Functional from Bamboo".
  20. ↑ "Integration with HP Application Lifecycle Management".
  21. ↑ "eggPlant is 'Ready for IBM Rational'".
  22. ↑ "Jenkins Integration". Archived from the original on 26 August 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  23. ↑ "About eggDrive".
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