News

Embarcadero tries goals-based testing

• By Michael W. Bucken
• August 20, 2003

Embarcadero Technologies this week brought out what it calls a goals-based performance enterprise testing offering aimed at the traditional base of database tool users for demonstration at the SQE Software Test Automation Conference that starts tomorrow in Boston.

The Extreme Test toolset is based on a J2EE-compliant architecture. It incorporates testing, analyzing and reporting capabilities than can ensure that the performance of applications running in heterogeneous enterprise environments meets users’ needs. Embarcadero officials say the goals-based approach can allow performance and QA managers to test the load on a given application, and to set thresholds and parameters on a test to ensure that the outcome meets defined requirements. Such an ability can accelerate the process because tests can be aborted once thresholds are exceeded. In addition, the product’s user model editor can help to automatically create more realistic user scenarios, thus generating more accurate test results, officials said.

Brian Phillips, chief executive officer for SysTest Labs, a Denver-based independent software testing lab, described the goals-based approach as “a new way of looking at load testing,” contending that it can “take the guesswork” out of identifying maximum traffic capacity.

Wayne Williams, Embarcadero CTO, added that the approach lets developers specify what “acceptable performance” means before executing a test, thus cutting down on the usual trial and error activities of the testing process.

The Extreme Test toolset includes a Load Model Editor, a User Model Editor, an Integrated Relational Repository, a Universal Workbench, Database Load Generation capabilities, Performance Analysis tools, and Wizard-Driven Interfaces.