Abbot

Abbot is a powerful software tool designed for Java UI testing. The framework includes two main components, Abbot and Costello. Abbot lets you execute UI components programmatically, while Costello allows you to explore, launch, and control an application easily.

One of the great features of Abbot is its flexibility. It works well with both scripts and compiled code. In this review, we will take a closer look at the different system components and how Abbot is used to achieve its purpose. We will also discuss some of the challenges encountered when testing Java GUIs.

Costello, the script editor, is the tool that makes Abbot testing a breeze. With Costello, you can see what your application looks like and test it simultaneously. The sample application displayed by Costello shows a UI hierarchy, along with component properties.

Here is an example of GUI unit test code using Abbot. Refer to the ComponentTestFixture, ComponentTester, and Robot classes' API documentation, as well as the framework tests in the test source subdirectory. You can also record user actions directly into a script, which controls event playback and testing.

Costello also provides a hierarchy browser that displays all components utilized by the application, along with an extensive collection of information on each selected component. You can launch the editor with the Web Start link provided and immediately point it to any application for examination.

JUnit supplies the harness for running tests and test suites, but Abbot scripts can work with other environments as well. The scripts can also create a tutorial or demo for an application. You can drive the actual application and provide popup annotations while it is running.

Finally, note that Abbot is available for use under the Common Public License (CPL). The latest release features the addition of a previously missing costello.jar file.