By default, QuickTest records in the normal recording mode.

If you are unable to record on an object in a given environment in the standard recording mode, or if you want to record mouse clicks and keyboard input with the exact x- and y-coordinates, you may want to record on those objects using analog or low-level recording. If you are creating a test on Web objects, you can record your test on Microsoft Internet Explorer and run it on another supported browser (according to the guidelines specified in the HP QuickTest Professional Readme). QuickTest supports running tests on the following browsersMicrosoft Internet Explorer, Netscape Browser, Mozilla Firefox, and applications with embedded Web browser controls

Choosing the Recording Mode

Normal recording mode records the objects in your application and the operations performed on them. This mode is the default and takes full advantage of the QuickTest test object model, recognizing the objects in your application regardless of their location on the screen. When working with specific types of objects or operations, however, you may want to choose from the following, alternative recording modes:

Analog Recording. Enables you to record the exact mouse and keyboard operations you perform in relation to either the screen or the application window. In this recording mode, QuickTest records and tracks every movement of the mouse as you drag the mouse around a screen or window. This mode is useful for recording operations that cannot be recorded at the level of an object, for example, recording a signature produced by dragging the mouse. Note: You cannot edit Analog Recording steps from within QuickTest.

Low Level Recording. Enables you to record on any object in your application, whether or not QuickTest recognizes the specific object or the specific operation. This mode records at the object level and records all run-time objects as Window or WinObject test objects. Use low-level recording for recording in an environment or on an object not recognized by QuickTest. You can also use lowlevel recording if the exact coordinates of the object are important for your test. Note: Steps recorded using Low Level Recording mode may not run correctly on all objects

Guidelines for Analog and Low Level Recording

Consider the following guidelines when choosing Analog Recording or Low Level Recording:

Use analog recording or low-level recording only when normal recording mode does not accurately record your operation. Analog recording and low-level recording require more disk space than normal recording mode. You can switch to either Analog Recording or Low Level Recording in the middle of a recording session for specific steps. After you record the necessary steps using analog recording or lowlevel recording, you can return to normal recording mode for the remainder of your recording session

Analog Recording

Use analog recording for applications in which the actual movement of the mouse is what you want to record. These can include drawing a mouse signature or working with drawing applications that create images by dragging the mouse. You can record in Analog Recording mode relative to the screen or relative to a specific window. o Record relative to a specified window if the operations you perform are on objects located within one window and that window does not move during the analog recording session. This ensures that during the run session, QuickTest will accurately identify the window location on which the analog steps were performed even if the window is in a different location when you run the analog steps. QuickTest does not record any click or mouse movement performed outside the specified window. When using this mode, QuickTest does not capture any Active Screen images. o Record relative to the screen if the window on which you are recording your analog steps moves during recording or if the operations you perform are on objects located within more than one window. This can include dragging and dropping an object from one window to another. When using this mode, QuickTest captures only the Active Screen image of the final state of the window on which you are recording. The steps recorded using analog recording are saved in a separate data file. This file is stored with the action in which the analog steps are recorded. When you record in Analog Recording mode, QuickTest adds to your test a RunAnalog statement that calls the recorded analog file. The corresponding Active Screen displays the results of the last analog step that was performed during the analog recording session.

Low Level Recording

Use low-level recording for recording on environments or objects not supported by QuickTest. Use low-level recording for when you need to record the exact location of the operation on your application screen. While recording in normal mode, QuickTest performs the step on an object even if it has moved to a new location on the screen. If the location of the object is important to your test, switch to Low Level Recording to enable QuickTest to record the object in terms of its x- and y- coordinates on the screen. This way, the step will pass only if the object is in the correct position.

While low-level recording, QuickTest records all parent level objects as Window test objects and all other objects as WinObject test objects. They are displayed in the Active Screen as standard Windows objects. Low-level recording supports the following methods for each test object: o WinObject test objects: Click, DblClick, Drag, Drop, Type o Window test objects: Click, DblClick, Drag, Drop, Type, Activate, Minimize, Restore, Maximize Each step recorded in Low Level Recording mode is shown in the Keyword View and Expert View. (Analog recording records only the one step that calls the external analog data file.)