RE: ARIA & test automation?

Hi, Katherine,

To automate testing of our Web-based applications, 
we use Selenium, an open-source tool. You can click
through an interface to record an interaction, then go
 into the recorded test code to put it in testing checks.

Here's a VERY simple example (but much more is possible):
After recording a series of interactions, we work from the 
source view to find an element with a WAI-ARIA role, such 
as a tab panel, then pass in the automated test code, the 
prescribed keystrokes to move to the next tab. I could then 
evaluate the aria-selected state of the tab from which I've 
moved (aria-selected=3D"false") and to which I've moved 
(aria-selected=3D"true"). This lets me, via automation, 
validate that the ARIA-spec'd keystroke does indeed move 
focus to the next tab.

Internally, we use Selenium in combination with other test 
automation tools. For example, some use Selenium RC 
(remote control) to play back the script that's coded to 
look for aria elements and watch changed values. 
Then, they may use WATiR, which is image based, to see if, 
after passing only keyboard interactions, the final screen 
result is what was expected.

<< warning: I have moved out of R&D, so I am no longer
 working directly with this >>

Hope this helps!

Lisa Pappas
 product marketing
SAS Institute

Selenium background - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selenium_(software)=20
There's a nice overview here of the Selenium IDE: http://www.spreadfirefox.=
com/node/980=20
Dr. Dobbs article - http://www.drdobbs.com/web-development/222002626;jsessi=
onid=3DISFBHT1HME5SFQE1GHPSKHWATMY32JVN?queryText=3DSelenium=20

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	ARIA & test automation?
Resent-Date: 	Wed, 13 Oct 2010 20:58:38 +0000
Resent-From: 	w3c-wai-ig@w3.org
Date: 	Wed, 13 Oct 2010 13:57:46 -0700
From: 	Katherine Mancuso <kmancuso@gmail.com>
Reply-To: 	kmancuso@gmail.com
To: 	w3c-wai-ig@w3.org



Hi everyone,

I see this sentence in the WAI-ARIA Primer:

"Implementing WAI-ARIA can facilitate test automation. Test engines require=  semantic information about user interface elements, unique names, exposure=  of state, specific properties in order to run automated test scripts. WAI-= ARIA provides that semantic information needed for efficient test automatio= n."

Does anyone have further information & references related to this statement= , know anyone who is actually using ARIA to benefit their automation proces= s, or people to contact about it?

Katherine


--
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Katherine Mancuso: crusader of community art, social technology, & disabili= ty

Current work:
Walt Disney Imagineering & Parks and Resorts Online, Intern (work: accessib= ility evangelism & interactive projects)

Research:
Center for Assistive Technology & Environmental Access (http://www.catea.or=
g) Georgia Tech, Digital Media (http://dm.gatech.edu)

Community:
The Vesuvius Group: metaverse community builders (http://www.thevesuviusgro=
up.com) Gimp Girl Community Liaison/Research Fellow (http://www.gimpgirl.co=
m) Alternate ROOTS: arts*community*activism (http://www.alternateroots.org)

Contact in the web, the metaverse, the world:
http://twitter.com/musingvirtual
http://muse.dreamwidth.org
http://www.linkedin.com/in/kathymancuso
SL: Muse Carmona
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Received on Tuesday, 26 October 2010 18:13:39 UTC