Multi-user application program testing tool

Abstract

A test tool for testing application programs of the type that are deployed on a server computer for access by multiple users over a network is embodied in a computer program comprising a command module and a core module. The command module contains a number of different commands, each of which performs a different user function of the application program under test. Each of the commands comprises a series of programmed instructions that cause a computer running the test tool to perform a user function of the application program under test via a client connection to the application. Each command has an execution segment and a verification segment. Each command is also assigned a unique name. A test operator can then create test scripts containing any desired sequence of command module commands using the simple names assigned to each command. The command module is rewritten and/or customized for each different application program to be tested. The core module is independent of the command module and performs the core functionality of the test tool. The core module comprises instructions that enable the computer on which the test tool is running to execute concurrently, on each of a plurality of different client connections to the application program under test, a series of command module commands specified by name in a test script.