ReplicTest
IBM i Automated End to End Testing Tool
Automation-Driven Testing for IBM i and AI Workflows
ReplicTest is the modern automation platform purpose-built for IBM i and AI workflows. We empower enterprise teams to effortlessly test and validate their mission-critical applications and AI systems with smart, automation-driven solutions. From legacy green screen apps, Web, API, SQL apps to next-gen AI models, ReplicTest ensures quality, reliability, and speed — without the manual overhead.
Simplicity and efficiency are the predominant factors of this “engine” Testing tool for your IBM i applications
Native green screen 5250
IO + Navigation Encapsulation with initialisation and comparison. Test speeded up to 200 x faster vs manually. Replay inter or with Automation Zero Touch, 100% batchable.
Web Services & Apps
IO + Navigation Encapsulation with initialisation and comparison. REST API (GET, POST) microservices.
Rich Dashboard
Rich and dynamic dashboards on testing monitoring & outcomes, to ease user and decision-makers working life, and to better manage the whole testing life cycle in real time.
Code Coverage
Details lines and % of code covered by single test case or merged lines and % by multiple tests (Merging code coverage and having information dynamically is essential to validate quality ranks and govern flow processes)
Script Gen
Capture any business process — human or machine — and instantly leverage an automated test script. Seamlessly record application activity in real time and generate fully executable test scenarios for green screen, web, or API apps, all processes, data initialisation & comparison are encapsulated.
Shrink Data
Creation of data subset with only the records effectively used by the test case. (Enable & Increase tests replay frequency with a considerable reduction in turnaround times)
Enable & Automate your QA and testing
Institutionalize quality and Save more than 88% of your time & 50% of your cost
Accelerate time to market
Full DataBase integration
DB tables and files identification for images, restore and comparison are automatically handled.
Tests need to be replicable, which means that the data must be reset each time a test is replayed. Rather than asking the end-user or a pre-process to copy each file or full libraries for data initialisation, ReplicTest recognises on its own any files required by each test cases and encapsulates them automatically. This is done on the fly, for any database accesses (RLA, SQL, ODBC, JDBC, …) and only for the file realy in use by the test case. This is optimising all processes in your IBM i (aka AS400), from prerequisite recognition to execution, doing and automating all the hard tasks for you.
Database subset for your tests
ReplicTest can validate data during tests and can be configured to shrink your database to only the records required for test cases. You can automate the cleanup or shrinking of test data, which is critical for keeping your test environments light and efficient, especially when executing frequent tests. This is a unique function that will save significant storage and can be deployed also for live data storage.
Holistic
Comprehensive testing in a holistic manner with our Test Encapsulation Engine, inter/batch/web (encapsulating DB, UI, IO parm, body parm and code coverage – with restorations and comparisons)
Our “Encapsulation Engine” is “omnivorous”: It integrates any languages, legacy or modern, RPG, CBL, CL, SQL, Java, PHP, .net, node, python etc… It can also integrate any objects like spoolfiles dtaara, dtaq, IFS objects, the joblog, etc… and more, when you change an object in your system, you will know which tests involved it and relaunch all of them.
Invokable as a wrapper to single test or test suites (series of tests). Autonomous or pluggable to DevOps pipelines, ACS, SQL Scripts, VS Code, RDi, Playwright, Cypress or Selenium, PEX, iDoctor.
Remote tests from other platforms can also be launched & controled with ReplicTest’s scripts and be monitored in the framework and dashboard.
Automated for batch, web or interactive programs
The same command is used to process recording or replay of the test case. By default, the command automatically detects in which modality it should run; recording or playback and depending on the modality, different behaviors are processed to copy, restore or compare the image data.
Functional testing
Ensure quality for all your app releases and accelerate TTV & TTM.
Workload testing
Ensure effective scalability with differentiated parallel testing.
Security testing
Ensure effective object or data protection from non authorized user access. Encompass RCAC and system authority features.
Ally with AI on IBM i!
AI to leverage ReplicTest
Metadata and KPIs from ReplicTest can serve AI to:
Set Test Prioritization and Optimization.
Change test detection (When UI change, find patterns & suggest changes accordingly)
Predictive Defect Detection using previous test logs & statistics.
ReplicTest to Test AI
ReplicTest’s ability to ~truly~ automate testing and collect data across different layers of IBM i applications can support AI reinforcement learning models by providing a consistent environment, diverse data, and reliable feedback, in a continuous process.
Regression & workload testing, deployment and monitoring
Tests scheduling and execution
Tests can be scheduled automatically, in sequence or in parallel, with same or different login.
Command driven, tests can be launched automatically via different options, through other commands or via scripts in modular ways.
Tests status are logged including call stacks. In case of failure, monitoring configuration can leave the job open, or end it — and go/no go to a next test — logging all relevant messages and contextual metadata.
Switch login to test different user authority access can be truly undertaken. ReplicTest integrates all objects ownership and authority in replay mode as well.
User experience, KPIs and improvement
Comprehensive testing in a holistic manner with our Test Encapsulation Engine, inter/batch/web (encapsulating DB, UI, IO parm, body parm and code coverage – with restorations and comparisons)
Our “Encapsulation Engine” is “omnivorous”: It integrates any languages, legacy or modern, RPG, CBL, CL, SQL, Java, PHP, .net, node, python etc… It can also integrate any objects like spoolfiles dtaara, dtaq, IFS objects, the joblog, etc… and more, when you change an object in your system, you will know which tests involved it and relaunch all of them.
Invokable as a wrapper to single test or test suites (series of tests). Autonomous or pluggable to DevOps pipelines, ACS, SQL Scripts, VS Code, RDi, Playwright, Cypress or Selenium, PEX, iDoctor.
Remote tests from other platforms can also be launched & controled with ReplicTest’s scripts and be monitored in the framework and dashboard.
“Often, people ask what a realistic metric to measure design impact could be, and I’m convinced that metric is “time to value.” If your design influence isn’t decreasing overall time to value, you’re doing something wrong.”
Case Study
The tool enables a testing governance of high accuracy in correlation with impact analysis of lines of code to be changed for specific project like, for example Field Resize.
It is also totally integrable with our DevOps solution.
Empowered code coverage
Full code coverage metadata and code coverage merging (generated directly in IFS and DB, no RDi dependency)
Create test variations with the same initial data
To get strong coverage you will often need to run the same test with different inputs. The tool integrates a feature to start a test with the same initial data and gives you back the control to continue with different inputs and create variations.
User friendly and efficient
End users (even non-programmers) can use ReplicTest to record test scenarios and a programmer can integrate them. One unique command to record and replay your test scenarios.
IDE or DevOps integration
The tool can be integrated with any IDE or DevOps structure. Command's driven and DB queryable. ReplicTest scripts can also be integrated with VS Code or SQL scripts.
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FAQ
What is regression testing?
Regression testing (rarely, non-regression testing) is re-running functional and non-functional tests to ensure that previously developed and tested software still performs as expected after a change. If not, that would be called a regression.
What is end-to-end testing?
End-to-end testing is a software testing methodology that verifies the behavior and functionality of an entire application or system from start to finish. It focuses on testing the flow of data and processes across various components, subsystems, and interfaces, ensuring that the system works as intended and meets the desired requirements. In end-to-end testing, the system is tested as a whole, simulating real-world scenarios and user interactions to validate its functionality, performance, and reliability. It involves testing multiple interconnected modules or components to ensure seamless integration and proper functioning of the complete system.
Why is it often difficult to test an IBM i interactive application with 5250 screens?
Traditional 5250 screens are text-based and lack well-defined user interface elements. This can make it challenging to automate the testing process using conventional image pixel-based UI automation tools. Interacting with 5250 screens often requires emulating terminal input and capturing text-based output, which is automatically provided with our tool ReplicTest.
What is the ROI of testing in a digital transformation project?
In a development process, the test represents at least 20% of the budget and can go up to more than half of the established budget in certain cases.
As for the return on investment (ROI) of testing, this can be substantial in a digital transformation project. While the exact ROI will vary depending on the project and organization, here are several ways testing can contribute to ROI:
Early Issue Identification and Cost Reduction: Testing helps identify defects, bugs, or functional gaps early in the development process. By catching and addressing issues early, organizations can avoid costly rework, minimize the impact on downstream processes, and reduce the overall project costs.
Improved Customer Experience: Digital transformation projects often aim to enhance the customer experience. Through thorough testing, organizations can ensure that the transformed systems, applications, or interfaces provide a seamless, user-friendly experience. This can result in increased customer satisfaction, loyalty, and potentially higher revenue generation.
Reduced Downtime and Business Disruptions: Effective testing minimizes the risk of system failures, downtime, or disruptions during the transformation or after the go-live. By identifying and addressing potential issues in advance, organizations can avoid business interruptions, maintain operational continuity, and prevent revenue loss.
Enhanced System Performance and Scalability: Performance testing and load testing activities help identify and address performance bottlenecks, scalability issues, or potential limitations of the transformed system. Ensuring that the system can handle increased workloads or user demands improves overall system performance, user satisfaction, and the organization’s ability to handle growth.
Compliance and Risk Mitigation: Digital transformation projects often involve compliance with industry regulations, security standards, and data privacy requirements. Effective testing ensures that the transformed system meets these compliance needs, minimizing the risk of regulatory penalties, reputational damage, or legal issues.
Increased Efficiency and Productivity: Thorough testing helps identify areas for process improvement, automation opportunities, or usability enhancements. By streamlining workflows, eliminating manual tasks, and improving system efficiency, organizations can realize productivity gains, cost savings, and improved employee satisfaction.
Reduced Maintenance and Support Costs: Proper testing helps identify and rectify issues before the system goes into production. This can lead to a decrease in post-production support and maintenance costs as fewer defects or issues arise, resulting in improved system stability and reduced ongoing support efforts.
It’s important to note that the ROI of testing in a digital transformation project is influenced by various factors, such as the project’s scale, complexity, industry, and the effectiveness of the testing processes implemented. Organizations should consider these factors when planning and allocating resources for testing, aiming to maximize the ROI and ensure the successful outcome of the transformation project.
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