Building and running automated test suites
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- UpdatedJan 30, 2025
- 3 minutes to read
- Yokohama
- Automated Test Framework
Run a group of tests in a specific order to test an application or a group of related features.
A test suite can contain both individual tests and other test suites. A test suite that contains another test suite is called a parent, and the test suite contained within the parent is called a child. While a test suite can have both individual tests and test suites as children, tests cannot have other tests as children. Tests can only contain test steps.
Benefits
- Allows testers to run every test in a test suite with one action.
- Allows testers to run all child test suites in a parent test suite.
- Allows testers to see test results for every test in a test suite.
- Allows test designers and testers to schedule when to run test suites.
- Allows test designers and testers to schedule starting client test runners to support test runs.
Hierarchies
Automated Test Framework supports building a multi-level hierarchies where a test suite can be both a parent and child. For example, this figure illustrates Test Suite 1 as the parent at the top of the hierarchy. Test Suite 1.3 is a child of Test Suite 1 and also a parent of Test Suite 1.3.1 and Test Suite 1.3.2.

Schedules
- a test suite record
- a schedule record specifying when you want the system to run the test suite
- a scheduled suite run record that associates the test suite to run with the schedule for running it
The watchlist on the test suite run record also allows you to specify users to receive an email when the system finishes executing the test suite run.
If the test suite contains one or more form steps (steps involving a user interface), you must ensure that a scheduled client test runner is actively running in a browser when the schedule triggers the suite run.
For step-by-step instructions on how to schedule a test suite, see Schedule an automated test suite.
Filters
Automate the creation of test suites by using a filter to dynamically add tests to a test suite when they match the filter conditions. Reduce the time that your test designers spend manually creating and maintaining test suites.
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Related Content
- Building and running automated tests with the Automated Test Framework
Basic tasks in the Automated Test Framework.
- Auto-generate ATF tests
Auto-generate ATF tests by selecting the auto-generate option either from the Auto-generate Tests module or Tests/Suites modules.
- Cancelling automated tests and test suites
You can cancel automated tests and automated test suites that are running or are queued to run.
- Suites
The Suites module opens the Test Suites table. You can create, edit, and run test suites from this table.
- Step results record
The Step Results record contains information about one step in a test result. You access specific step results from the Step Results related list in the Test Results record.