Introduction

The Test Case Explorer helps you manage a project’s test suites, test cases, and related data sources. It provides detailed test statistics and allows you to search/filter the available tests.

The Test Case Explorer is open by default, in the left side of the UI. If it is not available, you can open it by choosing  Parasoft> Show View> Test Case Explorer.

The Test Case Explorer can be used for:

• Reviewing test cases
• Adding test cases
• Adding data sources which can be used to parameterize test cases

Organization

By default, the Test Case Explorer presents results in a table-based view.  You can customize the table columns shown in this view by choosing Statistics> Columns from the pulldown menu in the top right of the Test Case Explorer’s toolbar.

You can also sort results by any of the visible columns. 

Compact View

If you prefer to view test cases in a pure tree-like structure (without the notion of columns), you can switch to "compact mode" by choosing Statistics> Compact View from the pulldown menu in the top right of the Test Case Explorer’s toolbar.

In compact view, the Test Case Explorer tree contains the following levels:

• Project
  • Data Sources
    • Data Source 1
    • Data Source 2
    • Data Source n
• Folder 1
  • Test Suite 1
    • Test Case 1
    • Test Case 2
    • Test Case n
  • Test Suite 2
    • Test Case 1
    • Test Case 2
    • Test Case n

Updating/Refreshing

The Test Case Explorer updates its contents when tests are generated, when specific actions are performed from within the Test Case Explorer (add/delete/enable/disable test cases or test suites—or add/delete data sources), or when other wizards and actions are performed. However, it does not update its contents when you perform external actions. For example, it does not react to source changes. In such cases, you need to explicitly refresh the Test Case Explorer to reflect the most recent changes.

To refresh Test Case Explorer (e.g., so it recognizes external changes):

• To refresh everything, click the Refresh button (in the Test Case Explorer toolbar).
• To refresh a specific project, right-click its Test Case Explorer node, then choose Refresh from the shortcut menu.
  
  

Filtering

You can filter the Test Case Explorer to hide projects with no tests, passed tests,  executed tests, or tests from the most recent test session by clicking the Filter button in the Test Case Explorer toolbar, then specifying filter criteria.

Searching

To search the Test Case Explorer, click the Find button in the Test Case Explorer toolbar, then specify search criteria.

Note that you can use the toolbar buttons to move to the previous/next match, as well as set options such as:

• Wrap search.
• Case-sensitive search.
• Search only within selected nodes.

Expanding/Collapsing Explorer Branches

To expand or collapse Test Case Explorer branches:

• Right-click the node you want to expand or collapse, then choose the appropriate shortcut menu command:
  • Expand all: Expands all sub nodes.
  • Expand Children: Expands children (but not grandchildren).
  • Collapse Children: Collapses all children.
    
    

To collapse all subnodes, click the Collapse All toolbar button.

Test Case Explorer Menu Buttons

At the top right corner of the Test Case Explorer are the following menu buttons:

Refresh: Refreshes the contents of the Test Case Explorer.

Find: Allows you to search for any item (i.e. Test Suites, tests, chained tools, etc.) within the Test Case Explorer. 

Link with Editor: Activates "link with editor mode." In this mode...

• • When an editor with a test is selected, the related test tree node will be selected.
  • If you select a test in the test case tree and the related editor is already open in the UI, focus will be shifted to that editor.

Filter: Allows you to configure filters that hide specified projects or tests within the Test Case Explorer.

In addition, the Statistics menu allows you to:

• determine the columns shown in the default view,
•  enable/ disable compact view,
•  reset test results (i.e., clear all results shown in the Test Case Explorer).

Activating "Grayed Out" Projects

The Test Case Explorer initially presents top-level project nodes with their execution statistics (if available). This initial state is represented by a grayed out project icon.

To "activate" a project and access its test cases:

• Right-click the project’s Test Case Explorer node, then choose Refresh from the shortcut menu.

All test cases found in the given project will then be displayed.

Note that the Test Case Explore’s global Refresh action only refreshes the projects that were already "activated".