Variable – Source Reference

The Variable <Variable> element is used for defining data in one place and later refer to the data by using a Data Reference element. Hence, test data can be defined in a Variable in the beginning of the test scenario, which makes it easier to understand and to change. The Variable element can contain a simple String value, a list of String values or a complex data structure. It can have the data defined as child elements, or it can refer to data in an XML file, a property file or a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. A variable can easily be added by drag and drop of an xml or property file into the test scenario editor.

Syntax

The syntax of the Variable element is

The ID attribute is required and specifies the ID that can be used by a Data Reference. The content of the Variable element can be a simple string, a list of entries, or a complex data structure. The filePath attribute is used to reference a file containing data to load. The path is relative to the test scenario file directory.

Example

Variable with a simple string. The log statement will write 33 to the console.

Variable with an array of strings and a loop iterating over the data. The log statement will write A, B and C to the console during the iteration.

Variable with a complex structure and a Data Reference pointing to one field. The Log statement will write bb to the console.

Variable pointing to a file. The file contains the same data structure in as in the previous example

File content of data.xml:

It is also possible to use a flat property file as in the following example:

File content of data.properties:

Finally, it is possible to reference a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet as the example below illustrates. Data must be defined from row 2. First column contains a label, while the next columns contain the values for data items. It is supported to use formulas in cells. Non-virtualized Test will evaluate the formulas and calculate the resulting cell values.

Content of Testscript4_data.xls: