TestDataCreator (TDC) helps non-technical users easily create and validate complex XML documents with nothing more than a basic understanding of Microsoft Excel. It is ideal for testing systems that require XML input files, but can be used in almost any context where XML Schemas are available and XML documents need to be created.
A basic workflow with TestDataCreator consists of the following:
- Initial configuration/setup. (Requires some basic technical ability.)
- TestDataCreator reads an XML Schema and generates an Excel spreadsheet (Book) containing a structural representation of the Schema.
- Non-technical users then enter any number of Test Cases in the Book file by filling in test values in columns. (Requires only basic Excel ability.)
- TestDataCreator then processes the Book file, Schema-validates the Test Cases, and then generates XML documents for those Test Cases.
- Additional Tasks can be performed on Test Cases with custom Java plugins (e.g. processing in a rules engine, exporting to an external system, etc.)
- Uses XML Schemas for Book file creation and Test Case validation.
- Leverages Microsoft Excel for easy Test Case creation by end users.
- Configuration is XML based, and highly customizable.
- Book files are configurable and can contain additional Element-level information to help users with Test Case creation. (Examples include Element datatype, document line references, field descriptions, and notes.) This approach enables non-technical users to not only understand the overall structure of the XML, but also the type and format of individual fields -- all without having to reference complicated XML Schemas.
- Supports optional Customizer spreadsheets during the configuration phase. This allow for very detailed customization of the information available to end-users in the Book file.
- Datatype information and Schema annotations can be automatically extracted from Schemas and made available to users in Book files.
- Book files can be automatically converted from one Schema version to another (retaining Test Case information so that it does not need to be re-entered when Schemas change). New lines -- resulting from Elements added to the Schema -- can be automatically highlight in converted Book files to give users a quick visual reference for changes.
- Customizer files can be automatically converted from one Schema version to another (retaining Book customizations so that they do not need to be re-entered when Schemas change). Changes in converted Customizer files can be highlighted (through custom fonts and colors), to make the process of adding new Schema versions to TestDataCreator configuration quick and painless.
- Custom Tasks plugins can be created (in Java) to perform post-processing on Test Cases (e.g. processing in a rules engine, exporting to an external system, etc.)
- Though TestDataCreator can be run as a stand-alone tool, client-server extensions are being developed to more effectively support centralized administration and processing on more-capable server hardware. (This is ideal for situations where Schemas and Book files are large and complex, and user PCs are relatively underpowered.)
If you're interested in playing around with a sample Excel Book file, click here.
For more information, please refer to the Wiki.
Details pending...
Please send questions, concerns, and stock tips to greg.torrance@pobox.com.
TestDataCreator is an open source tool available under the MIT License.