AscentialTest marries the usability of a recorder with the strength of script-based testing. Reusable steps are created by point and click. Actions are automatically generated by interacting with Snapshots.

• Visually build steps in drag and drop interface
• Generate input and verification actions
• Parameterize steps with the touch of a button to make them reusable
• Drag flow control and conditional statements from the ‘Actions Explorer’
• Test data objects automatically generated
• Data types are automatically handled by AscentialTest
• Access interfaces to DLLs, database, xml and the operating system
• Powerful scripting language available for users with scripting experience
• Run individual steps out of context to aid in debugging
• Build steps from Snapshots even when offline to the target application
• Steps are organized in a library that can be organized by user-defined groups
• Refactor project automatically when renaming steps or step parameters

Reusable tests are built by dragging and dropping steps. AscentialTest automatically generates data tables and binds to the data fields of the test. As the library of steps grows, the pace of building new tests accelerates. The most important benefit of the Step-Based approach is not realized until the target application changes over time. When the target application changes, only the impacted steps need to be modified. All the tests that use those steps are automatically updated. This not only saves time and resources, it assures that tests are ready when you need them.

• Create tests by dragging and dropping re-usable steps
• Outputs captured in one step can be linked to input instructions of subsequent steps so        that the tester is provided with session specific data
• Data lookups can be embedded within instructions so that the tester is provided with current and relevant test data. Significant time is saved searching for records and eliminating input errors due to out-of-date data
• Data tables generated with fields in the correct data type
• Pass parameters between steps or access shared parameters
• Refactor project automatically when renaming tests or test parameters
• Tests kept up to date automatically as reusable steps are modified
• Combine manual and automated steps

AscentialTest is integrated with Jira for defect tracking to provide a way to manage the relationship between test results and defects. (Figure 1)

Failures can be associated with defects so that testers will be notified when defects have been fixed and ready for re-testing. (Figure 2)

• Create a defect
• Assign a test to a defect
• Get prompted to create defects for failed tests
• Check the current status of a defect
• Get prompted to re-run tests as defects are fixed
• Get prompted to close defects for ‘passed’ tests
• Access a defect to modify status and details