For almost a year now, I have been developing automated tests for a client who uses HP’s (formerly Mercury’s) QuickTest Professional and Quality Center. In my search for more knowledge and expertise as the months have passed, I have found that there is an amazingly huge community revolving around these products out there. The capabilities for automating application testing are amazing. However, I have also found that, like other software products, the documentation does not begin to hold the unreal amount of functionality included in these software tools, nor can the documentation possibly be able to cover all the real-world scenarios, best practices, or hacks.
The only way to really dig into the cutting edge of what can be accomplished is to go find those who are honing this edge and get yourself involved in the community. In fact, it even seems as if there is a lack of print books out there that cover these tools. The most complete one, which was written by an expert user in the community, was only recently released, http://www.amazon.com/QuickTest-Professional-Unplugged/dp/B002ACTWSM. I have not read the book yet hint, hint to the E-g management ;-), but luckily I have been able to pick the author, Tarun Lalwani’s brain on more than one occasion on a couple community forums. Here is my list of resources that I use on an almost daily basis:
- Advanced QTP: http://www.advancedqtp.com (This site is what I see as THE headquarters of QuickTest Pro and Quality Center online. Forum requires registration.)
- HP IT Resource Center (Quality Center / ALM): http://community.hpe.com/t5/Quality-Center-ALM/ct-p/sws-QC (Requires registration)
- KnowledgeInbox: http://knowledgeinbox.com (Tarun Lalwani’s site. Requires registration)
- Relevant Codes: http://relevantcodes.com (An Advanced QTP forum moderator, Anshoo Arora’s blog)
- Learn QTP: http://www.learnqtp.com (Ankur’s blog and forums. Forum requires registration)
There have been many challenges during my introduction to these products and how they can best benefit me, as a developer, and the client. As I have pointed out, there are tons of community resources and forums out there that provide plenty of knowledge, but I would also like to write about a few tricks I have learned, as well. Some of this might be repeat information, but I hope to present it in an easily digestible for anyone looking for some decent hints or advice about these tools. Stay tuned!