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Eggplant Functional

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Eggplant Functional
Developer(s)eggplant
Operating systemWindows, Linux, OS X (test controller); any system with VNC connection or able to be accessed via RDP (system under test).
TypeTest automation, System Automation
LicenseProprietary
Websitewww.testplant.com Edit this on Wikidata

Eggplant Functional is a black-box graphical user interface (GUI) test automation tool. It was developed in Boulder, Colorado, by Doug Simons, Jonathan Gillaspie, and John McIntosh.[citation needed] The software was initially developed by Redstone Software, a subsidiary of Gresham Computing PLC, starting in 2002. On September 2, 2008, Redstone Software was acquired by a UK-based company called Testplant, which later rebranded itself as Eggplant.[1][2]

Approach

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Eggplant Functional employs a two-system model, comprising a controller machine—where scripts are authored and executed—and a system under test (SUT), which may run a VNC server. Eggplant Functional can connect to the VNC server via its built-in viewer via TCP/IP or to a system that supports Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).[3] Any system running a VNCserver can function as a SUT. Originally designed for Mac, the controller environment/IDE is now also available on Linux[4] and Windows via GNUstep.[5]

The SenseTalk feature allows for the creation of scripts either manually or through an 'assisted scripting' mode, where the user guides Eggplant Functional in navigating a system and verifying a set of test steps. Additionally, the 'Turbo Capture' feature streamlines the image capture process and automatically generates SenseTalk code based on the user's actions.[6]

In 2011, Eggplant released Eggplant Functional v11, which introduced an integrated Optical Character Recognition (OCR) engine. This version is compatible with the Mac, Linux, and Windows platforms.[7]

Also in 2011, Eggplant was granted a US Patent,[8] and launched a mobile testing solution.[9]

In 2013, Eggplant Functional was localized for the Chinese market.[10]

Product

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Eggplant Functional utilizes intelligent image recognition algorithms to 'see' the display screen of the computer under test. The software secured a U.S. patent for its 'method for monitoring a graphical user interface on a second computer display from a first computer',[11] which underpins its GUI testing tool. Human attention is also not needed with this feature. This feature operates without the need for human attention, which attracted the interest of UK Trade & Investment, particularly its defense and security organization, the Defence and Security Organisation (DSO).[12]

Eggplant Functional can be operated from Mac, Windows, or Linux to test a wide range of platforms, technologies, and browsers. It supports mobile testing, cross-platform testing, rich internet application testing, and performance testing. The company also provides a free trial download of Eggplant Functional.[13]

Version 11 added the integration of the OCR engine and Mac OS X Lion Support.[14] Version 12 of Eggplant Functional featured a user interface redesign, consolidating the suite interface and introducing scalable search, which allows testing across different screen sizes using the same image. Version 14 added database integration via ODBC, released eggOn VNC for Android, and introduced Image Update Tools for adjusting images and retraining scripts. Version 15 introduced Tables for keyword-driven testing and Turbo Capture for script recording. Additionally, it enabled the ability to push applications to mobile devices for installation and included a built-in VNC server for Android devices, which is automatically deployed to the device when a connection is first established.[15] This new VNC server for Android enabled the testing of Android smartwatches[16]

Integration

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Eggplant has developed integration plug-ins for several popular continuous integration and Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) tools, collectively known as Eggplant Integrations.[17]

Scripts can also be written in other programming languages to invoke SenseTalk commands and leverage Eggplant Functional's image-based searching capabilities through eggDrive.[23]

References

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  1. ^ "Testplant Announces the Acquisition of NCC Group's Web Performance Division and the Re-Branding of the Combined Company to Eggplant". www.businesswire.com. 28 March 2018. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  2. ^ Barron, Jenna (28 March 2018). "Testplant rebrands itself after acquiring NCC Group's Web Performance Division". SD Times. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  3. ^ "Creating Connections to SUTs".
  4. ^ "Launch of Eggplant for Linux: new version of world-leading test tool".
  5. ^ "Launch of Eggplant for Windows: latest version of world-leading universal test tool".[permanent dead link‍]
  6. ^ "Creating Scripts with Eggplant Functional".
  7. ^ ""Newswire Today", TestPlant Updates eggPlant with OCR and Support for Mac OS X Lion,07/26/2011". Newswiretoday.com. 26 July 2011. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
  8. ^ "London tech company granted US patent for new interface tool". Archived from the original on 22 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  9. ^ ""BloomBerg Businessweek", TestPlant Limited Launches Eggplant Mobile Testing Solution,02/14/2011". Investing.businessweek.com. 14 February 2011. Archived from the original on 15 October 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
  10. ^ "TestPlant announces localisation of Eggplant for Chinese market". Archived from the original on 22 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  11. ^ ""United States Patent", Method for monitoring a graphical user interface on a second computer display from a first computer, January 11, 2011". Patft.uspto.gov. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
  12. ^ ""UK Trade and Investment", London technology company granted US patent for groundbreaking new interface tool, April 15, 2011". Ukti.gov.uk. 15 April 2011. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
  13. ^ "'Eggplant functional free trial'".
  14. ^ ""Test Plant Press Release", TestPlant updates industry-leading robotic test tool, Eggplant, with optical character recognition (OCR) and support for Mac OS X Lion, July 25, 2011". Testplant.com. 25 July 2011. Archived from the original on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  15. ^ "Eggplant Functional Release Notes".
  16. ^ "Using Eggplant Functional to test Android Smartwatches".
  17. ^ "'Eggplant integrations'". Archived from the original on 1 May 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  18. ^ "Eggplant Testing, new partner integration".
  19. ^ "Using eggPlant Functional from Bamboo".
  20. ^ "Integration with HP Application Lifecycle Management".
  21. ^ "eggPlant is 'Ready for IBM Rational'".
  22. ^ "Jenkins Integration". Archived from the original on 26 August 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  23. ^ "About eggDrive".
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