Automated Testing Framework for Infor LN: Regression, Integration, and Validation
Automated testing in Infor LN environments is underdeveloped compared to modern software practices, yet it is critical for managing upgrade risk, customization quality, and regression confidence. LN's 4GL session-based architecture and database-centric business logic require testing approaches that differ from standard web application testing. This guide provides a practical framework for implementing automated testing across LN's functional and technical layers.
Testing Challenges Specific to LN
LN's architecture presents unique testing challenges. Business logic is distributed across 4GL scripts, database triggers, and session-level event handlers rather than consolidated in a testable application layer. The bshell runtime environment requires specific session state management for test execution. Multi-company and multi-site configurations multiply test matrix complexity exponentially.
- Session state dependency: LN tests must manage company, site, and user context before executing business transactions
- 4GL testability: limited native unit testing support in the 4GL language requires wrapper approaches for isolated testing
- Database coupling: LN business rules enforce referential integrity across hundreds of interrelated tables
- Multi-company testing: the same transaction may behave differently across LN companies due to parameter variations
- Upgrade regression: every LN service pack potentially affects customized sessions, reports, and integrations
Building an LN Test Automation Stack
An effective LN test automation stack combines multiple tools. Use LN's built-in Test Automation Framework (TAF) for session-level functional testing. Supplement with database-level validation scripts that verify data integrity after business transactions. For integration testing, use API testing tools against LN Web Services endpoints. Browser automation tools like Selenium or Playwright handle LN Web UI regression testing.
- LN Test Automation Framework (TAF): record and replay session interactions via ttstptaf sessions for functional regression
- SQL-based validation: write assertion queries that verify table state after business transactions across LN modules
- API testing: use Postman or SoapUI collections to validate LN Web Service endpoints and BOD processing
- Browser automation: Playwright or Selenium scripts for LN Web UI testing including form navigation and data entry
- Performance testing: JMeter scripts simulating concurrent bshell sessions to validate system capacity under load
Continuous Testing Strategy
Implementing continuous testing for LN requires a dedicated test environment refreshed regularly from production data (sanitized for privacy), a test case repository aligned with critical business processes, and automated execution triggered by LN package deployments or service pack applications. Start with the top 20 business-critical transactions and expand coverage incrementally.
- Identify the top 20 critical LN business processes and create automated test scripts for each end-to-end flow
- Refresh test environments monthly with sanitized production data to keep test scenarios realistic
- Trigger automated test execution after every VRC package deployment and LN service pack application
- Maintain a defect-driven test expansion strategy: every production defect generates a new regression test case
- Report test results with pass/fail dashboards visible to both IT and business stakeholders for transparency
Implementing LN test automation? Netray's AI agents generate test scenarios from your LN business process documentation and transaction history.
Related Resources
Infor LN UI Framework Customization Guide
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