The purpose of this article is to explain the process of XML to Database testing, an intricate type of testing.
Comparing the data is a critical procedure that should be conducted with the highest precision. Any mistake during this process can result in breakdowns in the application.
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The XML format is used for digital messaging that contains data, while a Database is a tangible storage system with tables and columns in which data is stored.
Applications often exchange data, typically as XML messages. This information is then stored in a database system for future retrieval by applications as needed.
Recommended reading => A Superior Technique for Data Testing Using XML Technologies
This approach is adopted by a plethora of sectors including finance, marketing, sales, eCommerce, automobile, logistics, and manufacturing for data sharing between applications.
To effectively execute XML to Database testing, it’s essential to have a mapping document. This document lays out the connection between each element in the XML and the corresponding sections in the database.
This mapping document gives a thorough depiction of the link between the XML elements and the database columns. The values from the XML element can be supplied as data to the database tables, and conversely.
This article is intended to guide you on how to validate XML message data with the database data to ensure data accuracy.
What You Will Learn:
Discussion on XML and Database:
Applications adopt different methodologies for interaction. Messaging via XML is one of these methods. XML offers a trustworthy medium for data communication between applications. XML consists of elements, which have specified values that can sometimes be blank or NULL.
Data is stored in the form of tables within databases. Applications input data into these tables and other applications fetch this data when required.
Applications are capable of storing and retrieving data from database tables in XML format, an efficient and versatile technique.
Architecture of Application:
As a tester, you need to:
- Analyze the Product Architecture to understand the way applications send messages between modules/databases. Seek clarification from the Business Analyst or System Analyst in case there are inconsistencies or doubtful areas.
- Comprehend the data flow upstream and downstream between applications.
- Understand the inbound and outbound data flow to and from various applications.
In certain cases, the upstream and downstream applications can be different applications’ databases which exchange data through XML-formatted Stored Procedures, Web services, APIs, etc. In other situations, there could be a mix of databases and applications sharing data.
Exemplar:
In this XML to Database testing article, we’ll examine an application that interacts with a database for data storage.
The downstream application is referred to as IBAPX and it transmits XML-formatted messages to a database application named MYDBX. There is an upstream application called OBAPX, which extracts data from MYDBX (for reporting application RPTX). OBAPX functions as an upstream application to OBAPX.
Note: Prior to beginning, it’s critical to be familiar with the technology used for middleware communication (Stored Procedure, Web Service, API, etc.) and to have a robust understanding of the architecture. This detail can typically be found in the design document, or it can be collected from the System Analyst/Business Analyst/Development teams.
Application IBAPX stores information in the database application MYDBX. For knowing which XML element is mapped to which table column, we will need to refer to the mapping document. Column names and XML elements might be the same or different based on business requirements.
For instance: IBAPX might send an element named salesordernumber, but MYDBX stores the same value in a table column as p_orderid. The dissimilarity in names could be because the XML element has ties to sales, whereas the column name is more fit for production usage. This can vary across applications depending on business necessities.
Test Procedure:
So, how should a tester go about testing all scenarios effectively and efficiently? Let’s delve into it.
First off, take the input XML file and validate the XML structure. Using XSD, which defines the structure of the XML, can aid in this process.
Once the XML validation is completed, export the file to Excel. Drag and drop the XML file onto an empty Excel sheet. Choose ‘As an XML table’ when a popup appears asking for the method to open the file. The data will then be saved as a table format in the Excel file.
Subsequently, the data is displayed as a table. Query the table with the specific data and fetch the record. Transfer the data to another sheet in the same Excel file. By leveraging the EXACT function available in Excel, you can compare the XML data to the database data. Remember to only compare the data values and exclude the column names.
This approach provides a way to compare data of multiple records which can significantly reduce the manual work involved in comparing XML element data values and database column data values.
Refer to the images below for a visual guide:
Note: The images above demonstrate that the column names do not tally, as previously discussed.
Suggestion: Comparing large XML files with the database can sometimes pose complications. In such situations, make sure to organize the column values in the Excel file. Bear in mind that Excel file comparisons should ideally be restricted to files under 100MB to avoid possible performance issues.
As previously mentioned, the XML element values can serve as inputs to database tables or vice versa. So when you receive an XML message as an inbound file for an application from a database application, testing should be conducted as outlined to compare XML data values with the database data. Occasionally, you will be required to perform comprehensive testing where multiple applications are involved in data handling.
Real-world Instance:
Take for example a user placing a book order on Flipkart, the e-commerce website. The process begins when the order is placed and concludes when the e-commerce center receives the invoice copy. The process might encompass situations such as product returns, exchanges, refunding payments, and so on.
Numerous modules such as sales, inventory, item processing, logistics, payment, returns, offers, etc., participate in the processing of an order until the product reaches the customer. The end-to-end process necessitates message exchange to complete the order.
As a tester, when involved in end-to-end testing, you might encounter cases where you are required to verify application-to-database data, database-to-database data, or application-to-application data. It’s critical to have a solid understanding of the comprehensive data flow, including data received, data sent, and data stored in and retrieved from the database.
Likely Failures:
Let’s look into some plausible failure instances:
- A simple failure cause can be improper mapping between XML elements and database columns. This mapping should be reviewed by a tester during the initial analysis or planning phase. Any mapping uncertainties should be discussed with the Business Analyst/ System Analyst to clear up any confusion. Once mapping is finalized, you can make sure the values from the XML element match those from the database column.
- If there is a discrepancy in values, log a defect to address it. Possible reasons for a defect can be a Data Defect (issue with test data), Code Defect (code bug resulting in a failure to map data values), or an Artifact Defect (misleading mapping provided by the Business Analyst/System Analyst).
- XML format issues such as incorrect XML headers, metadata, or tags can prevent XML from storing data values into the database table.
- Datatype mismatch can occur if an XML value exceeds the permitted length of the respective database column. This will require the development team to adjust the datatype length of the column.
- Environment failures can interfere with complete data flow, such as when the environment or database application is down.
- Performance issues can arise when handling numerous records or high database load.
- Middleware failures can interrupt the data flow between applications and the database.
- Database access issues can prevent inbound applications from sending data to the respective table in the database.
Conclusion:
Testing XML to the database becomes more complex when a single XML message stores data across multiple systems. Moreover, the database’s performance in storing and retrieving large volumes of data can pose challenges for testers.
The example outlined here is just one aspect of the testing activities undertaken in an application. Testers may have to conduct extensive data testing using a similar method.
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