Working with Tosca ScratchBook for Trial Runs

Tricentis Tosca is a powerful test automation tool widely used for end-to-end testing of enterprise applications. One of the standout features in Tosca is the ScratchBook, a temporary test execution environment that allows testers to experiment, debug, and validate test steps without affecting the actual execution logs or test sets. If you're new to Tosca or looking to understand how to make your test development process more efficient, mastering the ScratchBook is essential.

In this blog, we’ll explore what the ScratchBook is, its primary use cases, how to run test cases within it, and best practices for using it effectively.


What is the ScratchBook?

The ScratchBook in Tosca acts like a sandbox environment — a place where you can quickly execute test cases or modules to verify that they work as expected. It is not part of the formal test execution log, so you can freely run and re-run tests without cluttering your test results or affecting your actual test runs.

  • This makes it an ideal space for:
  • Trial runs of test cases or modules
  • Debugging test step failures
  • Testing parameter values or test data
  • Validating new automation logic


How to Use the ScratchBook

1. Accessing the ScratchBook:

To open the ScratchBook, go to the Execution menu and select ScratchBook, or right-click a test case and choose Run in ScratchBook.


2. Executing Test Cases:

You can run individual test steps, entire test cases, or even test folders in the ScratchBook. This gives you flexibility to test your scripts in parts or as a whole.


3. Debugging with Step-by-Step Execution:

Tosca allows you to execute test steps one by one, which is extremely useful when you want to debug a test that isn’t behaving as expected.


4. Viewing Execution Results:

While the ScratchBook does not store logs in the permanent execution log, it does display execution results in a structured format. You can see which steps passed or failed, and why.


Benefits of Using the ScratchBook

  • Faster Test Development: The ScratchBook lets you iterate and test your automation logic quickly.
  • Isolated Testing: Trial runs do not affect your main test logs or data, making it ideal for experimentation.
  • Immediate Feedback: You get real-time feedback on what’s working and what’s not, speeding up debugging.
  • Safe Testing Environment: Especially helpful when working with sensitive data or when the final test set isn’t ready.


Limitations of the ScratchBook

  • While the ScratchBook is incredibly useful, it has some limitations:
  • It doesn’t persist execution results beyond the session.
  • It’s not intended for official test execution or reporting.
  • Some integrated tools or reporting features may not be fully supported in ScratchBook runs.


Best Practices

  • Use Early and Often: Don’t wait until your test case is complete. Use the ScratchBook as you build each step.
  • Debug Incrementally: Run small chunks of logic to pinpoint failures quickly.
  • Avoid Data Pollution: If your test interacts with a database or external system, make sure it doesn’t create unwanted test data during trial runs.
  • Document Learnings: If you discover fixes or improvements while testing in the ScratchBook, update your test steps accordingly.


Conclusion

The Tosca ScratchBook is an indispensable tool for any test automation engineer using Tosca. It provides a safe, fast, and flexible way to validate your test logic without the overhead of full test execution. By incorporating the ScratchBook into your daily testing routine, you’ll not only reduce debugging time but also improve the quality and reliability of your test cases. Whether you're fine-tuning a module or checking parameter values, the ScratchBook is your best ally for smart, efficient test development.


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