CATT VARIANTS

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CATT Variants Defined Create Internal Variant

Definition: CATT variants are used to store assorted transactional Create Variant. From the CATT Initial
combinations and/or field settings on a recorded CATT transaction to Screen select menu path: Goto->
meet diverse SAP testing requirements. Variants->Edit. As shown below, the
Purpose: To provide a single test case with a greater degree of flexibility CATT: Maintain variants screen is
to address a wide range of different test scenario combinations in a displayed. Other selections available on
robust SAP environment. the variants sub-menu are:
Benefits: Variants provide all cycles of testing with the flexibility and 1. Edit. Selection used to create variant
modularity to meet a broader range of test scenarios. It also reduces the 2. Export. Exports saved variants to an
number of CATT scripts to manage. external text file.
Types: Two types of CATT variants are available; Internal variants where 3. Import. Imports variants and
the values are maintained within SAP and external variants where the parameters from a text file into CATT
Import parameters are managed outside SAP in a text or spreadsheet file. 1 4. Export default.
External variants are excellent for maintaining and uploading large Exports the default
volumes of master data. 2 values from the
3 CATT import
Key Concept: The fields available for use on a variant directly relate to the number parameters.
of import parameters created previously in the CATT script. If additional fields are 4 5. Information.
required, simply create other fields as import parameters. 5 Displays the
number of variants
for the script.
CATT Maintain Variants Menu
A. Change. Selecting an existing A B C E F. Test Case. Identifies the current
D
variant and clicking this icon will test case being executed.
make the variant available for G. Original Lang. Logon language.
changes. H. Export. Clicking this icon exports
B. Display. Selecting an existing all stored variants and parameter values
variant and clicking this icon displays to a text file. This feature is useful when
the variant and parameter contents. the same CATT module variants are
C. Create. Clicking this icon starts required in the CATT procedure.
the variant creation process. I. Import. This function allows
D. Copy. Clicking this icon variants to be created externally and
creates a variant by copying from an imported later into CATT.
existing variant. J. Fast Entry. Clicking this icon
E. Delete. Deletes the selected opens all variants in a table format
variant. where mass changes, additions and/or
F G H I J deletions are executed.

CATT Create Internal Variant Screen

1 2 3 4 5 1. Change. Selecting an existing variant can be changed from the CATT initial
and clicking this icon will make the variant Screen
available for changes. 9. Parameter values. Enter new
2. Display. Selecting an existing variant values for any import parameter shown
and clicking this icon displays the variant on the screen. When a variant runs, the
and it’s parameter contents. system checks for each import parameter
3. Sort. Used to sort the import whether a value is defined for it in the
parameters alphabetically, variant. If so, this value is passed to the
4. Maintain in screens. Clicking this icon parameter at runtime. Otherwise, the
will record the variant using the ‘Simulation parameter default value is used. If there is
screen’ method of recording. no default value, the parameter has the
5. Test procedure. Identifies the current initial value.
test case being executed.
6. Import Parameters. Listing of the Acceptable parameter values:
import parameter names and field name
Normal The parameter takes the
descriptions for fields in the transaction that
Entry value entered
were established as import parameters.
No
7. Variant. Displays the variant name Default field value is used.
Entry
and description that identifies the variant ‘s
purpose and contents. If there is a Parameter is initialized
‘’
possibility a script will have multiple variants with a blank value
a naming convention that provide grouping Parameter or default is not
of similar transaction is recommended. ‘ used unless a Parameter
When a CATT script is executed using ID (PID) is defined.
variants, wildcards are available (i.e. TM*) Parameter field is
‘!’
6 7 8 9 8. Default value. Displays the default initialized.(PID is not used)
values for the import parameters. Defaults

Computer Aided Test Tool (CATT) Variants

Prepared by: Terry Maloney
COMPUTER AIDED TEST TOOL - VARIANTS
Create External Variants
Create External Variant b
External variants are used for loading large volumes of master data and/or
transactional data. However, for data management reasons Internal variants
are recommended wherever possible.

a. Starting from the CATT Maintain functions menu or the CATT Execute
Test Case screen, select menu path: Goto-> Variants-> Export Defaults
b. A dialogue list box is displayed for a file name and directory to save the d
c
defaults import parameter values.
c. Enter a new name or accept the default file name. Click the ‘Open’ button
complete the export process.

Excel Spreadsheet
1
Working with Excel and adding Records
3
1. Start MS Excel and open the CATT export file created in the
previous steps.
2 2. Change the ‘Files of type’ to ‘Text Files (*prn; *txt; *csv) from the
Excel default ‘All Microsoft file’ file type.
4 3. Double-click on the export file name in the file window
4. A ‘Text import wizard’ screen is displayed which enables the user
to specify the delimitation type
5. Click the ‘Finish’ button to open the converted file in
spreadsheet mode.
Note: The CATT export file is a ‘Tab delimited’ text file by default.
6. The first four (4) rows in the spreadsheet are for display purpose
only;
5 a. Row 1: Import variant name
b. Row 2: Parameter field names
a b c d c. Row 3: Initial default values used on the import
parameters.
d. Row 4: Informational text line stating that any
changes to the default values in the above row are
not effective,
7. Add new entries below the information line and in the proper
columns representing the SAP fields. Columns should not be
moved and numeric entries must be preceded by the # symbol.
7 8. Save the file again as text file. (Tab delimited)

Execute CATT Variants

1 2 3 4
4. Processing Mode – Determines the operating mode for the
CATT script.
• Foreground - Executes the script in interactive mode
requiring an enter key after every screen.
• Background - No interaction, only the CATT log is
displayed when completed
• Errors – Runs in background unless an error is
encountered.
5. Variants W/O – Executes the CATT script without Internal or
External variants. The defaults from the field parameters are used.
6. All – CATT script is executed using all internal variants plus the
original default values from the field parameters.
7. Special, generic – Specific variant is used on CATT script
5 6 7 8 execution and excludes the original initial values.
• Use the drop down list button to select individual
CATT Execution Screen
variants or;
• Enter wildcards based on a previously established
1. Execute – Starts processing the CATT script with specified settings
naming convention. (i.e. TM*, 1*, 0*)
2. Remote execution – Executes the CATT script in a different client using
8. External from file – Executes the CATT script using an external
RFC. [T-code SM59 to set-up connections]
text file. [See Create External Variants]
3. Log Type – Setting that controls the various CATT log output information;
• Click the radio button for ‘External from file’
• Long – CATT output log includes all import & export parameters,
program and screen information used during execution. • Click the Choose button and select the
• Short – Only includes import and export parameters used during external text in the stored directory.
processing. • Confirm the file displayed the variant window is
• W/O – (Without) No CATT log is generated. correct.

Computer Aided Test Tool (CATT) Variants