Mercury Interactive announces support for Microsoft Visual Basic 4.0; Robust GUI testing tool available to VB 4 developers

Business Wire, Sept 12, 1995

Interactive Corp., the worldwide market share leader in Automated Software Quality (ASQ), today announced that WinRunner, a powerful client/server graphical user interface (GUI) testing tool will support Microsoft Visual Basic 4.0.

WinRunner is a comprehensive GUI testing tool featuring an integrated testing environment and flexible testing interface, which facilitates script creation and built-in reporting. WinRunner tests client/server applications by operating them automatically, as though a human user were at the controls -- with fast, accurate repeatable results.

WinRunner for Microsoft Windows will include support for Visual Basic 4.0's new 32-bit applications, which will enable developers for Visual Basic 4.0 to quickly verify application functionality. The new functional support in WinRunner will allow developers using Visual Basic 4.0's new graphical user interface controls to transparently use WinRunner. This high level of support will make testing Visual Basic 4.0 applications fast and easy with seamless record, playback and verification of WinRunner test scripts.

"Microsoft believes application quality and reliability is of paramount importance," said Jon Roskill, director of Visual Basic (Developer Division) at Microsoft Corp. "The Visual Basic testing capabilities found in Mercury Interactive's WinRunner tool allow our users to develop higher quality applications -- meeting the requirements of their mission-critical systems."

"As the world-wide sales leader in automated software testing tools, Mercury Interactive is committed to providing support for developers using leading edge technology, such as Visual Basic 4.0," said Amnon Landon, president of North American operations at Mercury Interactive. "WinRunner will give Visual Basic 4.0 developers powerful testing methods to perform complete GUI testing of their VB 4 applications -- enhancing the quality and reliability of those applications."

Simplifying Test Development

WinRunner automates the testing and software quality process for developers of client/server software and systems and can compress weeks of manual testing into a single overnight run. Used throughout the software development and quality assurance process, it delivers higher quality software in less time with less work.

WinRunner uses an innovative object-oriented record and playback technology called Script Mapping for Adaptable and Reusable Tests (SMARTest). SMARTest automatically learns the hierarchy of the application user interface, maintaining a table of object data that is independent of the test script code. This technology significantly enhances the maintainability and portability of test suites by enabling test scripts to be reused independent of development changes. The tests can be maintained throughout the application lifecycle, saving time and money, while adding reliability.

Pricing and Availability

The pricing of WinRunner 3.5 with Visual Basic 4.0 object support will remain unchanged at $2,850 with no additional charge to existing WinRunner customers. It is scheduled to be available within 60 days.

About Mercury Interactive Corp.

Mercury Interactive Corp. develops, markets and supports a complete family of Automated Software Quality (ASQ) solutions that automate and manage testing and quality assurance for developers of client/server software and systems. The company's Enterprise Quality Architecture empowers corporate application developers, system integrators, and independent software vendors to identify software errors more quickly and efficiently than traditional methods allow.

The company's stock is traded over the counter on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol MERQ. -0-

Note to Editors: WinRunner is a registered trademark and SMARTest and Enterprise Quality Architecture are trademarks of Mercury Interactive Corp. Microsoft, Visual Basic and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

In the Internet/email address noted in this news release, there is an "at" symbol between jayaram and merc-int.com and an "at" symbol between grahamb and merc-int.com. These symbols may not appear properly in some systems.

CONTACT: Mercury Interactive Corp.

Jayaram Bhat, 408/523-4214

jayaram@merc-int.com

or

Graham Burnette, 408/523-4208

grahamb@merc-int.com

or

Evans Communications

Shannon Osthimer, 415/595-0796

MCI Mail, 661-0894