Setting Up Common Startup and Ending Test Conditions

As with any set of recorded test scripts, it is necessary to always start and terminate at a common point. This ensures that the AUT is in the same state as it was when the initial recording took place. An example would be where the AUT is open and maximized and there are no leftover open child windows or leftover data values from previous manual or automated testing. Without this return to home state, the tests are not repeatable. Therefore, you must always clean up your AUT prior to stating the automated test scripts. Of course there are situations where you will rely on leftover data or conditions that are present (persistent applications) because you are testing for them. You will also run into situations where date stamps and other data are automatically updated from one run of the test to the next. The test's sensitivity to these items should be removed so subsequent runs of your tests do not fail.