Linux Desktop Testing Project

The Linux Desktop Testing Project (LDTP) is a testing tool that uses computer assistive technology^[7] to automate graphical user interface (GUI) testing.^[8] The GUI functionality of an application can be tested in Linux, macOS, Windows, Solaris, FreeBSD, and embedded system environments.^[9] The macOS version is named PyATOM,^[10] and the Windows version is Cobra.^[11] The LDTP is released as free and open-source software under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL).

Linux Desktop Testing Project

Developer(s)	Emily Chen, Nagappan A., et al.[1]
Initial release	January 28, 2005; 20 years ago (2005-01-28)[2]
Stable release	3.5.0 / May 1, 2013; 12 years ago (2013-05-01)[3]
Repository	github.com/ldtp/ldtp2
Written in	Python, C#[4]
Operating system	Linux, macOS, Windows[5]
Type	Automated testing
License	GNU LGPL[6]
Website	ldtp.freedesktop.org

LDTP can test any accessibility-enabled GNOME application, Mozilla, OpenOffice.org, any Swing-based Java, Qt 4-based and KDE 4.x applications.^[12]

LDTP is/was used by the following companies and organizations:^[13]

• GNOME
• Mozilla
• Openoffice.org
• KDE
• Novell/SuSE
• Palm Source
• VMware

LDTP can be used to remotely test applications.^[14][15]

History

LDTP version 0.1.0 was released in January 2005 and then showcased and discussed at GNOME Users And Developers European Conference (GUADEC) 2005. It was then used at the Google Summer of Code in 2006^[16][17] for Tinderbox integration, Evolution automation, and LDTP regression suite under GNOME organization. Then again in 2007,^[18][19] it was used by the Mozilla Foundation for Firefox automation and Tinderbox integration.

Example

This is an example of how LDTP would test writing in gedit:

#!/usr/bin/env python3

# The standard import stuff.
from ldtp import *
from ooldtp import context as locate
from time import sleep

# Here we open the app.
launchapp("gedit")

# Now we find it and make sure it is open.
gedit_win = locate("*gedit")
gedit_win.waittillguiexist()

# Now we type into gedit.
text_field = gedit_win.getchild("txt1")
text_field.enterstring("G'Day mate!")

# Save a picture to prove we did it.
imagecapture("*gedit", "/tmp/foo.png")

# Quit gedit.
quit = gedit_win.getchild("mnuQuit")
quit.selectmenuitem()

# Close without saving.
dont_save = locate("Question")
dont_save.waittillguiexist()

button = dont_save.getchild("btnClosewithoutSaving")
button.click()

# Wait until gedit is gone.
gedit_win.waittillguinotexist()

Diagram of how LDTP works

How LDTP works^[20]

See also

• Free and open-source software portal

• List of Linux GUI testing tools
• Desktop Linux