You can run Functional Tester, Java Scripting on Linux. Most of the Functional Test functionality works on Linux. This topic will explain what does not work, and what can be done on Linux. The first section describes what does not work. The second section describes guidance for how to best use Functional Tester on Linux. The third section contains important information you should take into account before you use Functional Tester on Linux.
Recorder
You cannot record on Linux. You can record scripts on Functional Tester, Java Scripting on Windows and then play them back on Linux. But the recorder does not work on Linux. You can manually script instead of using the recorder to create scripts.
Integration with TestManager and other Rational Products
The integration with Rational TestManager does not work on Linux, because TestManager does not run on Linux.
The integrations with Rational Robot and Rational Administrator also do not work on Linux.
Functional Tester, VB.Net Scripting
Functional Tester, VB.Net Scripting does not run on Linux. You cannot install it on a Linux system. You can only install the Java Scripting version on Linux, because it uses the IBM Software Development Platform, which supports Linux.
Testing .Net and Windows Objects
Functional Tester supports the testing of applications and objects in four domains: Java, HTML, VB.Net, and Windows. However, Functional Tester on Linux is only able to test applications and objects in the Java and HTML domains.
Script Support Functions from the Recorder
The Script Support functions available from the Recording toolbar are not available on Linux, because you cannot record on Linux. You can do all of the same functions via scripting though.
Tutorials
The tutorials provided with Functional Tester involve recording scripts. If you want to learn the product functionality, we recommend that you do the tutorials on the Windows platform. Note that you cannot play back the scripts on Linux that you recorded using the tutorial, since they use a sample test application that does not work on Linux.
All of the functionality of the product works on Linux except for the recorder. You can do all of the same things via scripting. For help with scripting, see the API Reference, which is available from the Help menu. Also see the Advanced Topics for examples of scripting to solve certain problems.
You can also record a script on Windows, and then play it back on Linux. One of the main reasons to do that would be to debug your Linux scripts. The debugger works the same way on Linux as it does on Windows. The primary use case for running Functional Tester on Linux is to debug.
You can use the object map on Linux. Instead of creating an object map through recording you populate it outside of the recorder by opening the map and selecting objects in your test application. For information, see Creating a New Test Object Map.
You can also insert verification points without recording, by opening the Verification Point wizard from the Script Explorer. For information, see Inserting a Verification Point from the Script Explorer.
ClearCase Integration
The Functional Tester ClearCase integration works on Linux, but there may be slight differences. See the Functional Tester release notes for information.
Datapools Functionality
The datapools functionality works on Linux, but there may be slight differences. See the Functional Tester release notes for information.
Java and HTML Support
On Linux, you can only test Java and HTML applications. And some Linux GUI applications, like those developed with Motiff, are not supported. The applications supported must be pure Java.
The HTML support is limited to Netscape and Mozilla, 6.x and greater, because those are the browsers that run on Linux. And all of the versions of these browsers that work on Windows do not necessarily work on Linux. For example, Netscape 4.7.x works on Functional Tester on Windows, but does not work on Linux.
Sample Application
The sample application that ships with Functional Tester and is used by the tutorials, ClassicsCD, does not work on Linux. If you want to learn the product functionality, we recommend that you do the tutorials on the Windows platform.
Installing Functional Tester on Linux
When you install the Functional Tester package, the only feature you can install on Linux is Functional Tester, Java Scripting. You cannot install Functional Tester, VB.Net Scripting, Rational Manual Test, or the .Net framework on Linux. Those features are all available to be installed on Windows though.
Starting Your Test Application Outside of the Script
If you start your test application on Linux outside of Functional Tester (that is, not using a startApp command or other script call), you must set some environment variables first. You must make sure that the LD_PRELOAD and RATIONAL_FT_INSTALL_DIRECTORY are properly set in the environment from which they start the test application, or Functional Tester will not be able to properly play back scripts against the application.
Set up the following variables depending upon the shell that you are using.
RATIONAL_FT_INSTALL_DIRECTORY=...
LD_PRELOAD=${ RATIONAL_FT_INSTALL_DIRECTORY }/libftevent.so
export RATIONAL_FT_INSTALL_DIRECTORY LD_PRELOAD
OR
setenv RATIONAL_FT_INSTALL_DIRECTORY ...
Enabling JREs or Browsers on Linux
In order to run the enabler to enable your JREs and browsers on Linux, you need to have administrative privileges. Be sure to have administrative privileges on the system before using the enabler.
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