IBM Rational Functional Tester, version 8.3.0.1 Release Notes

This document contains information about system requirements, installation, and new features in IBM® Rational® Functional Tester, version 8.3.0.1. It also provides information about contacting IBM Software Support.

Description

Rational Functional Tester is an object-oriented automated testing tool that tests HTML, Java™, Dojo, Ajax, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft .NET, Microsoft Silverlight, Microsoft Visual Basic, Siebel, Flex, SAP, GEF, and PowerBuilder applications that run on Microsoft Windows or Linux operating systems. You can also test Adobe PDF documents. You can test IBM zSeries®, IBM iSeries®, and IBM pSeries® applications by using the extension for terminal-based applications that is provided by Rational Functional Tester. With Rational Functional Tester, you can record reliable and robust scripts that you can play back to validate new builds of a test application.

Rational Functional Tester is available in two integrated development environments: Eclipse and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET. The product records user actions to create simplified test scripts that are easy to understand on the Rational Software Delivery Platform. Rational Functional Tester supports two scripting languages for advanced users. Rational Functional Tester Eclipse Integration uses the Java language, and Rational Functional Tester Microsoft Visual Studio .NET Integration uses the Microsoft Visual Basic .NET language and the Microsoft Visual Studio .NET development environment.

Version 8.3.0.1 includes these features and enhancements:
  • Enhanced Google Chrome browser support: The testing of HTML applications that are loaded in Google Chrome browsers has been enhanced. The extension IBM Rational Functional Tester for Google Chrome™ is available on the Google Chrome Web Store. For more information, see the topic named Google Chrome browser support in the help.
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 10.0 support: Rational Functional Tester supports functional testing of HTML applications loaded in Microsoft Internet Explorer 10.0. For more information, see the topic named HTML support in the help.
  • PowerBuilder 12.5 support: Rational Functional Tester supports the testing of PowerBuilder 12.5 applications. For more information, see the topic named PowerBuilder support in the help.
  • Verification Point Comparator support for playback logs of scripts played back from Rational Quality Manager : You can edit verification point data by editing the baseline values or replacing them with actual values when you open the Verification Point Comparator from the detailed logs of scripts played back from IBM Rational Quality Manager. For more information, see the topic named Verification Point Comparator in the help.
  • Proxy server support for the Rational Functional Tester adapter for Rational Quality Manager: You can use the Rational Functional Tester adapter for Rational Quality Manager to connect to the Rational Quality Manager server through a proxy server. For more information, see the topic named Using the adapter to connect to Rational Quality Manager through a proxy server in the help.
  • Siebel 8.2.2 support: Rational Functional Tester supports functional testing of Siebel 8.2.2 applications. For information about support for Siebel applications, see the topic named Siebel support in the help.
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.0 Server Update 2 support: Rational Functional Tester supports functional testing on the Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.0 Server Update 2 operating system. For a list of supported operating systems, see the topic named Software requirements in the help.

To view the list of domains that are supported for functional testing in each release of Rational Functional Tester and the compatible versions of Rational products that can be integrated with Rational Functional Tester, see the technical document at http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?&uid=swg27036168

System requirements

For information about hardware and software requirements for Rational Functional Tester version 8.3.0.1, see the System requirements topic in the help.

Installing Rational Functional Tester, version 8.3.0.1

For information about installing version 8.3.0.1, see this section of the information center: Information roadmap.

If version 8.2 or one of its releases or interim fixes is already installed on your computer, you can upgrade to version 8.3.0.1 by using the Update Packages wizard in IBM Installation Manager. For information, see the topic named Updating Rational Functional Tester in the help.

Note: If your installation uses Java 7.0, the Java Zero Day Vulnerability is applicable. This vulnerability is exploited by running malicious code in a web browser. If your application uses any Java 7.0 other than the one that is available with version 8.3.0.1, ensure that you update it with the latest Java 7 patches to avoid being affected by this vulnerability.

Installing Rational Functional Tester through Rational Test Workbench

Rational Functional Tester is also included in the Rational Test Workbench package. You can use the Rational Functional Tester license when you install Rational Functional Tester through the Rational Test Workbench package.

Known limitations and workarounds

Microsoft Internet Explorer 10.0

While testing on Microsoft Internet Explorer 10.0, if the application display has been set to use an older compatibility mode, make sure that you test the application in compatibility mode.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.0 Update 2

While testing on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.0 Update 2 platforms that are based on the GNU Image Manipulation Program Toolkit (GTK+), versions 2.18, 2.19 and 2.20:
  • Ensure that you set the environment variables correctly as described in the topic named Running Rational Functional Tester on Linux in the help.
  • While inserting verification points, use the time delayed selection method. The drag hand selection method is not supported.

Google Chrome

For Google Chrome testing, these limitations exist in version 8.3.0.1:
  • Recording on the Back and Forward buttons in the browser are not supported. Use browser-level back() and forward() APIs to play back these actions.
  • When you record a script, actions on controls in dialog boxes are recorded as click(atPoint()) relative to the dialog box. You can also use keystrokes to record on dialog box controls.
  • Playback of actions on combo box drop-down controls is not supported. To play back these actions, modify the script manually and specify the option that must be selected during playback.
  • The browser-level deletecookies() API is not supported. Cookies must be deleted manually.
  • Recording on tabs is not supported.
  • Recording on applications built using Dojo toolkit might be slow compared to other browsers such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox.
  • Recording and playback is not supported in Google Chrome browsers in cases where the browser is started with a blank home page, that is, without a home URL.
Known problems are also documented in the form of individual technical notes in the Support Knowledge Base. As problems are discovered and resolved, the knowledge base is updated and maintained with new information. By searching the knowledge base, you can quickly find workarounds or solutions to problems. The following links run customized queries of the live Support Knowledge Base:

Contacting IBM Software Support

IBM Software Support provides you with technical assistance.

For FAQs, lists of known problems and fixes, and other support information, visit the product support page for Rational Functional Tester software at http://www.ibm.com/software/awdtools/tester/functional/support/.

For product news, events, and other information, visit the product home page for Rational Functional Tester Software at http://www.ibm.com/software/awdtools/tester/functional/index.html.

Before you contact IBM Software Support, gather the background information that you need to describe your problem. When describing a problem to an IBM Software Support specialist, be as specific as possible and include all relevant background information so that the specialist can help you solve the problem efficiently. To save time, know the answers to these questions:

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