The Computer
Aided Test Tool (CATT) is
used for the creation of manual or automated test cases. It allows to
highly automate the testing process in general and deliver fast,
consistent and repeatable results.
The modularity of a
tool such as CATT is perfect for mapping End-To-End scenario into
automated test cases. SAP recommends that complex test cases (test
procedures) be assembled modularly from simple test cases (test
modules). One test module usually tests one transaction. Test modules
are test cases for a transaction, and test procedures are test cases for
a process.
This concept has the
following advantages:
A completely
automated regression test package will most likely never be possible,
but a lot of the work can be
automated. The time and
effort of doing so should be quickly offset by the advantages listed
below :
-
provide a set
of repeatable and maintainable business processes within the SAP
system
-
considerably
reduce the number of manual tests
-
allow
systematic testing of every new installation
-
provide
archivable logs which can also be used as audit trails.
Usage: CATT can be used to
perform different types of activities inside and outside the scope of
testing
-
transactions
-
error
message generation
-
the
correctness of calculations and database updates
-
the
changes to customisation
-
the
format execution of display transactions and reports
CATT limits and exclusions :
The testing of
interfaces cannot be included to the automated test package. Simulation
of some interfaces can be considered. CATT also allows a limited
capability of dialogue with external applications. Further investigation
of theses various possibilities will need to be done once the test
scenario will have been defined.
However, to optimize
the reusability of the test package across countries, the CATT test
modules and procedures can be developed without containing
language-dependent elements (fast paths, language dependent function
codes). Text variables can be used for language-dependent fields. To
ensure language independence of measurement units, a constant value, a
variable or an input parameter must be used as input value. The value
must always be specified in the original language of the CATT procedure.
If the run time execution language of a procedure is not the original
language, the conversion exit CUNIT translates the input of a
language-dependent measurement unit into screen field in an internal
format, which is not language-dependent, and from this back to the
execution language. This is done by the SAP system standard conversion
function modules.
New CATT functions in releases
4.0, 4.5 and 4.6
-
New
Maintenance Mode (4.6): provides CATT
functionality in an environment requiring little or no training.
-
Rationalisation
of Variants (4.6): the distinction between
"internal" and "external" variants has been
dropped.
-
Extended
System Messages Checks (4.6) : All the information
about a message can now be checked whereas previously only the
message number was checked. Up to 3 messages can be specified.
-
Check
Field Values (4.6) : The check function
will validate whether the runtime value of a field is the expected
value at the end of a transaction.
-
Read
Field Values (4.6) : Definition of a
parameter for the field to be read and into which the value is put
after the transaction run.
-
Simulation of
Controls (4.6) : Alignment of CATT to Custom Controls
functionality.
-
Namespace
Extension (4.0) : the CATT
modules/procedures names have been extended from 8 characters to 30.
The number assignment has been changed from internal to external.
-
CATT
test Upgrade change management (4.5b) : A
Change Management function has been introduced to allow screen
sequence changes.
-
Screen
Simulation Mode (4.5) : Parameters can be
maintained in screens in Screen Simulation Mode. It allows the
maintenance of nested sub screens, table controls and tab scripts
-
Function
Module Test (4.0) : function modules can
be tested via CATT using type case "F". These tests can
also be managed in the Test Workbench.
-
Waiting
Times in test cases (4.5b and 4.6) :
allows to separate transactions by a specified waiting time using a
parameter. In 4.6 you can specify a waiting time between screens
too.
-
CATT
mode without COMMIT WORK termination
(4.0) : The new CATT mode allows transactions containing one or more
COMMIT WORKs to be recorded and tested.
-
Homogenization
of Modules and Procedures (4.5) :
the term "Test Case" is now use for both modules and
procedures as they have been made more similar.
-
Re-test
from the Log (4.0) : Individual test cases
can now be re-tested from the log. The import interface will be
using the same values as in the logged test.
New CATT functions in release 4.6C
-
Functions
ELSEIF and ELSE
-
Marking
processed screens
-
Message
screen SAPMSCEM 0001: to check for messages including in R/2
system.
-
Initial
screen with favorites
-
CATT
easy mode initial screen: attributes button has been added
-
Deleting
test cases with report RSCATDELETE: to use via transaction SE38
-
Copy
with references using report RSCATCOPY: via transaction SE38
-
Processing
groups of CATT test plan logs: Porce
NOTE : Test cases from systems with
at least 4.5A cannot be transported into systems lower than 4.5A.
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