STW/Regression for Windows, part of the fully integrated TestWorks suite of software testing tools, is designed to overcome the tedious and error-prone process of manual testing by automating the execution, management and verification of a series of tests. Three components are included in STW/Regression: CAPBAK for automated capture and playback of user sessions, SMARTS for test organization and management, EXDIFF, which is part of CAPBAK, for test verification.

CAPBAK records all user activities during the testing process including keystrokes, mouse movements, object calls and verification information. The captured images and characters provide baselines against which future test runs are compared.

(b)STW/Regression(/b) is the only regression testing toolset available which offers fully interchangeable trip-mode testing in a single test session: CAPBAK has multiple modes for record/playback: True-Time automatically records keyboard and mouse activity into an "C" language test script and plays back the user input exactly as recorded. Character Recognision is available for adapting the test to minor application changes to the graphical user interface (GUI). Widget (object)-level testing is availabe for testing object calls independent of screen placement, color, or other minor variables.

(b)Capbak/X(/b) can run multiple client-application tests on the same workstation for the purpose load generation, performance assessment and multi-user test emulation. SMARTS organizes and manages an extensive number of test scripts for the purpose of automating and allowing unattended testing. The ``test tree hierarchy'' emulates the modularity and functionality of the tested application. Test cases can be supplemented with activation commands, comparison arguments, system calls, evaluation methods, and control structures (if, else and while clauses). Other files can be incorporated, allowing for a modular organization of multiple test hierarchies.

A detailed record of test outcomes and timing statistics is saved to a log file which automatically generates a variety of reports. A status report lists the most recent test execution outcomes; a history report includes current and past test results for every test executed. A regression report lists only those tests whose outcomes have changed since previous test activation. A certification report summarizes the total number and percentage of tests that have passed and failed.

EXDIFF verifies bitmaps captured during a recording session and automatically compares them with the actual images at playback. Character Verification is also supported: EXDIFF determines a successful test based on the actual values, regardless of difference in front and background color.

User-specified areas of an image file can be ignored with EXDIFF's positive masking capability. Unrestricted mask creation allows unlimited, overlapping positive masks to be set for an individual image.

Reverse Masking enables inverse processing of an image file mask, where only the user-specified area is compared during the differencing process.