How to: Create Test Configurations
You can use one or more configuration variables to create a test configuration. Each configuration variable defines one characteristic of the testing environment. For example, a characteristic might be the operating system that you want to use to run your tests and the value might be "Windows XP." This test configuration can represent an entry in your test matrix that you plan to use to run tests. The following illustration shows you how to create configurations from within a new test plan.
.png "Create Test Configurations From a Plan")
You can also manage your test configurations from the Test Configuration Manager.
.png "Create Test Configurations")
For information about how to specify which test configuration to use when you run tests, see How to: Create a Test Plan.
Define Configuration Variables
To define configuration variables
Open Microsoft Test Manager.
Note
To display the Microsoft Test Manager window, click Start, and then click All Programs. Point to Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 and then click Microsoft Test Manager 2010.
From the Testing Center, click Organize and then click Test Configuration Manager.
The Test Configuration Manager pane is displayed.
Click Manage Configuration Variables.
The Manage Configuration Variables dialog box is displayed. All the configuration variables that are in your team project are listed.
On the Manage Configuration Variables page, click New Configuration Variable.
In the row for that variable under Name, type the name of the new configuration variable.
(Optional) Type a description of the new configuration variable.
Under Allowed Values, type a value to assign to the new configuration variable and then press Enter.
(Optional) Repeat the previous step to add more allowable values for this variable.
After you have created all the name-value pairs that you must have to describe your testing environment, click Save Configuration variables.
You have added configuration variables that are available throughout your team project. Now, anyone can add those configuration variables to test configurations.
Create a Test Configuration
To create a test configuration
Open Microsoft Test Manager.
Note
To display the Microsoft Test Manager window, click Start, and then click All Programs. Point to Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 and then click Microsoft Test Manager 2010.
To open the Configuration Manager, click the down-arrow on the center group switcher and then click Organize.
On the center group menu bar, click Configurations.
The Test Configuration Manager is displayed.
Click New.
A blank test configuration is displayed.
Type the name of the test configuration.
(Optional) Type a description for the test configuration.
If you want to assign this configuration to be used as a default configuration for new test plans that you create, then select Assign to new test plans.
Note
If you add a test to a plan, it will be assumed that the test is required to be run on all default configurations for the testing to be completed. For more information, see How to: Select Different Test Configurations For a Test Plan or a Test Suite.
(Optional) If you do not want your configuration to be displayed as a choice for new test plans or test suites, click State and select Inactive.
Note
If a configuration has already been assigned to test cases in the test plan, the configuration will continue to be displayed as a choice for default configurations even if it has been marked inactive.
Under Configuration variables, click Add.
The configuration variables that have been created for your team project are listed under Add.
To add a test variable to the test configuration, click its name.
The configuration variable appears in the list under Configuration variables. Its default value is also displayed.
To select a different value for the configuration variable, click this default value to see any other values in the list.
Repeat the previous three steps until you have added all the configuration variables and selected the correct values that you need to define the test configuration.
To save the test configuration, click Save and Close.
You can now use this test configuration in your test plans. For more information, see How to: Select Different Test Configurations For a Test Plan or a Test Suite.
Note
Test configurations define what you plan to do when you run your tests. You must still set up the environment for testing and specify the settings that you require. Testers or lab managers can use the configuration to know how to set up the test environment before they begin testing.
See Also
Tasks
How to: Add a Test Suite to a Test Plan