SilkTest 2011 download ready

Starting today QA Testers can download SilkTest 2011 trial version from Micro Focus web site. SilkTest 2011 adds support for Microsoft Silverlight, Adobe Flex and enhances cross browser support by adding Internet Explorer 9, Firefox 5 and Firefox 6 browsers. Additional enhancements for regression and functional testing with Micro Focus Silk Test 2011 include User Access Compliance (UAC) for Microsoft Windows 7 to support effective testing in standard user privileges.

Silktest Interview Question 78 - How many programming languages can QA Engineer use in Micro Focus SilkTest?

Micro Focus SilkTest 2010 allows QA Testers to develop test cases scripts using different programing language such as 4Test, VB.Net, C#, or Java and various work environments SilkTest Classic, Microsoft Visual Studio or Eclipse, while SilkTest Workbench allows automation testing on recording and playback level for less skilled QA Testers. In the same time SilkTest test cases written in different languages share architecture through a common engine SilkTest Open Agent, which exposes UI object recognition, synchronization and test interfaces.

SilkTest jobs for QA Testers.

The table below compares the demand for SilkTest 2010, HP QTP 11 and Selenium skills in QA Tester jobs advertised across US and India in October of 2010. I compared the job postings for QA Engineer position with automated testing tool experience on the following job search engines: dice.com, sfbay.craigslist.org/sof/ (only for San Francisco Bay Area) and naukri.com

	dice.com	craigslist.org	naukri.com
SilkTest	35	6	15
QTP	560	9	302
Selenium	299	57	97

As you could see, Silktest is lagging behind of QTP or Selenium on all job markets, but I think I have an explanation why this is happening. There are plenty of QA Tester job postings like

Required skills - Test automation, SaaS, SQL, performance testing, Load Runner and QuickTest Professional, Silk Test, Java, Visual Basic.

Perhaps I should look for Silk not SilkTest, even it would include results for Silk Performer. Unfortunately as you can see below the change is not as big as I expected. I could explain why Selenium is so popular in Silicon Valley. As an open source project, Selenium is available for free and has been used for testing at many Silicon Valley companies like Google, Yahoo, and eBay. There are also a lot of startup companies not willing to spend money of SilkTest license or QTP license. That's why there are a lot of job postings for QA Testers with Selenium testing skills in Silicon Valley. In the same time I am still not sure why SilkTest lags behind of HP QTP on national markets. Does anyone have any ideas?

	dice.com	craigslist.org	naukri.com
Silk	69	6	87
QTP	560	9	302
Selenium	299	57	97