Pocket PC developers beware: robot testers approaching

[Andy Sjostrom]

<a href="http://www.allnetdevices.com/wireless/news/2002/08/06/test_tool.html">http://www.allnetdevices.com/wireless/news/2002/08/06/test_tool.html</a><br /><br />Automated software testing has been a nescessity for ages, and now the company TestQuest releases its software for Pocket PC, as well. The software connects TestQuest Pro to Pocket PC devices using ActiveSync.<br /><br />"The TestQuest Pro System automates the process of testing Pocket PC software by mimicking the presence of a user executing a predefined script of actions. The system can initiate button presses, stylus actions, and text entry; it also captures LCD images from the device, and uses text recognition and bitmap comparisons to validate results and determine the success or failure of each test. Flexible and comprehensive test management is also part of the TestQuest Pro system. <br /><br />The price tag communicates loud and clear: Enterprise only! (Interface module: $7,500. TestQuest Pro: $15,000 - $25,000)

[Jimmy Dodd]

Beware??? Heck, bring it on. I am a software engineer (Unix and MS) who does some PPC stuff on a contract basis. I've used auto-testers for years (some commercial, some home grown) and they make life so much easier. Testing is boring, repetitive, and error prone. Being able to develop scripts to automate the process cuts way down on testing time, especially regression testing.

Of course, my custom work usually only nets $5k to $8k per app, so there's not much chance of me picking up a $10k testing package for it.

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Bwana Jim

[Dr. Smooth]

You can do this for a lot less money by using the remote display control to bring up a PocketPC window on your desktop machine and then use regular Windows-based testing tools to run scripts against your app.

We use Rational Visual Test, which I think set us back around $700. There may be even less expensive options available.

[Hans the Hedgehog]

Wow! That's a lot of money. Here is one place Palm and Metrowerks have the PPC world beat-- Gremlins, and they are free (if you buy the Metrowerks package, that is :wink: ) Just set them up and let them go... they tap, enter text, do whatever for how ever long you want. If they can't kill an app, chances are it's pretty well written-- at least in my experience.

Hans.

[vassiliphilippov]

I can just recommend a 30 times cheaper solution that does the same:
http://www.softspb.com/products/testsuite/index.html

Vassili Philippov
MS-MVP Mobile Devices