eValid™ -- The Web Quality Suite Browser-Based Client-Side Functional Testing and Validation Page Timing/Tuning Transaction Monitoring. WebSite Spidering & Analysis and Realistic Server Loading. © Copyright 2000-2008 by Software Research, Inc.

Overview
eValid provides a range of capabilities that support automated analysis of DOM contents for two major purposes: synchronization of playback (especially for AJAX applications), and, functional testing and results validation based on use of scripts that operate in a position-independent, non-brittle, page-variation-tolerant fashion.

• Principles of Operation
  Here are the main points about this family of commands.

  • Historic DOM Usage
    eValid DOM processing capabilities are integral to eValid operation. As a full-scale, full-featured browser, eValid automatically incorporates the DOM that is associated with every web page. Some longstanding eValid features such as Adaptive Playback (see below) use internal DOM manipulations to very good effect.

  • Exposing DOM Access
    As web pages grow in complexity, and as demands for more-precise manipulation of the DOM grow, eValid has begun to expose some of the existing internal methods for use by the sophisticated user who is able to understand page details well enough.

    The PageMap was the first eValid capability that exposed details of the DOM contents to users. PageMap usage was linked to some of the AJAX synchronization commands that were implemented to give users direct control over internal states that imply AJAX page ready-status.

  • DOM Manipulation
    These already-existing DOM analysis modes internal to eValid are exposed in the DOM manipulation commands. They were designed to give eValid users the access needed to support programmed tests that address complex page validation, element selection, and playback synchronization needs.

    A main feature of these commands it that they are designed to provide the necessary DOM analysis capability without requiring use of any advanced programming techniques or skill.

  • Command Usage
    In many cases, the DOM-based command is issued directly from the eValid GUI. In some situations the user needs to identify key DOM features using the PageMap to allow the command to have enough information to operate correctly. And, in other situations the user needs to create (edit) the command to achieve a specific purpose.

  • EPI Availability
    However, if the complexity of the page you are analyzing requires it, the eValid Programmatic Interface (EPI) is available and in EPI runs you have essentially unlimited power to perform DOM analyses.

• Adaptive Playback
  This important feature assures correct behavior of a script even when certain features of a page change. The Adaptive Playback Feature examines the DOM to identify the right action to take when there are changes in page detail that do not materially affect test behavior.

• PageMap
  The PageMap GUI provides two-directional access from the current page: you can click on a page at any point and see the DOM elements that contribute to that part of the page, and click on any DOM element to see where it contributes an effect into the page. The PageMap provides very detailed information about the values of DOM attributes; this information is important in scripting some kinds of DOM actions (see below).

• Validate and Synchronize Commands
  There are many ways to confirm the contents of a page, as enumerated in this Validation Modes Summary. Most of these types of validation involve use of the DOM in one way or another.

• Element Manipulation/Motion
  The eValid DOM Element Manipulation/Motion Commands are the primary method that permits manipulation of playback in a "position independent" manner. These commands all result in identifying a particular sourceIndex that is remembered inside evalid and can be used as the basis for taking action on that element. The key command here is the IndexFindElement command that positions the sourceIndex based on a simple search of the DOM. This command is suitable for almost all DOM manipulation operations.

• Finding DOM Elements with Regular Expressions
  A major concern in arranging for correct DOM processing is finding the HTML element upon which to take action, and doing so in a very general way. This search process can be done with the IndexFindElementEx command, which provides a powerful and flexible method, based on use of Regular Expression string matching, to identify a particular HTML DOM element in the current page in a way that lets the IndexElementEvent command to take an action on it.

• Acting on a Selected DOM Element
  Once a DOM element is identified the eValid script allows you to choose a particular event to apply to the sourceIndex. This is done with the IndexElementEvent command, which lets you take a variety of actions on an identified sourceIndex. Every possible kind of user action is included with this command, but some of the more common user actions have their own independent, and simpler, commands for that purpose. An example of this is the IndexMouseDown command, which can also be accomplished with the more-powerful IndexElementEvent command, but in a way that requires more information at the command level.