Can you test database using WinRunner? What are all the different DB that WinRunner can support?

- The testing of the databases has been made possible using the winrunner with the help of the data base record check points. 

- These runtime data base record check points can be added to the test scripts and data being processed in to information in the application software during the execution of the test can be compared with the corresponding record present in the data base that you want to test. 

- With the help of these check points, it is possible to compare the contents of the data bases of the different versions of the application software.

- Whenever a data base check point is created, a query is defined in the data base of the application and the values contained in the result set are tested by the data base check point. 

- The query can be defined in any one of the following ways:

1. By using Microsoft query (it can installed from Microsoft office’s custom installation).
2. Manually by defining an ODBC query i.e., by creating an equivalent SQL statement.
3. By using data junction for creating a conversion file.

- The data base check point is said to fail when no match is found between the comparison and success criteria that has been specified for that particular check point. 

- A successful run-time data base record check point can be defined as the one where one or more than one matches were found. 

- One major characteristic of these check points is that they can be used in loop as well. 

- Results for all the iterations of the loop are recorded as separate entities. 

- The run time data base record checkpoints can be added to the test in order to make comparisons between the current values in the data base and the information that is being displayed in the application software while a test is in the process of execution.

- The run time record checkpoint wizard can be used for the following purposes:

1. Defining the query.
2. Identification of the application controls containing relevant information.
3. Defining the success criteria of the individual check points.

- While testing your data base you may land in some situations where you may require comparing the data files of different formats. 

- Following the below stated steps for creating a run time data base record check point manually:

1. Record the application up till where you want the data to be verified on the screen.
2. Calculate the expected values of the corresponding records in the data base.
3. Add the expected values to an edit field.
4. Using GUI map editor teach the winrunner about the controls of the application and the edit fields of the calculated values.
5. Add TSL statements to the test script in order to calculate the expected data base values extract the values and write the extracted values to the corresponding edit fields.

- Before you run your tests do make sure that all the applications with the edit fields containing the calculated values are open. 

- Earlier we mentioned the term “ODBC” in the article, it is actually a technology which enables the computer to connect to a data base so that the information can be retrieved by the winrunner easily. 

- Those who developed winrunner did not knew what kind of data base the AUT uses so it becomes impossible for the winrunner to know the way to connect to the data base of your application. 

- To overcome this problem, the ODBC was developed which can be taught how to connect to the data base. 

- Thus, it is because of ODBC that almost all the data bases are supportable by the winrunner.