Forum Discussion

RLRE's avatar
RLRE
Occasional Contributor
5 years ago

How to change cursor to hourglass from a TestComplete Extension

I wrote a TestComplete extension to update Keyword-Test signature from TestComplete in to an external tool. However, this action takes very long time. That's why I need to change the cursor from arro...
Script Extensions
  • AlexKaras's avatar
    AlexKaras
    5 years ago

    Hi,

     

    > The object does not support this property or method:  'dotNET.Cursors'

    Proper assembly must be added to dotNET Bridge in TestComplete in order for this or that .Net class to become accessible for dotNET TestComplete's object. Depending on the .Net version/flavor you are using the required assembly might differ. (For example, as per https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/api/system.windows.forms.cursors?view=netcore-3.1,

    System.Windows.Forms.dll must be added to dotNET Bridge).
AlexKaras's avatar
AlexKaras
Champion Level 3

Hi,

 

Win32API object is not accessible from script extensions and I don't know any other way to change cursor but direct Win32 call that you mentioned.

Two possible options that I can imagine at the moment:

a) Wrap the code that sets cursor and calls a method from your script extension into one regular function in TestComplete and call this wrapping function but not script extension from your test code;

b) Considering that dotNET object is accessible from script extension, check if .Net provides the means to change cursor shape.

 

RLRE's avatar
RLRE
Occasional Contributor
5 years ago

Hi Alex,

thank you for your response.

Regarding (a)

I am not sure, what you mean with "calls a method from your script extension into one regular function in TestComplete". Actually, I am trying to find adequate code for completing the following vbs sub:

sub setHourglass(b)
   if b then
      ' set hourglass cursor
   else
      ' set arrow cursor
   end if
end sub

All the rest is done. (I mean, the code doing the job calls MyNamespace.setHourglass(true) before time-consuming operation and MyNamespace.setHourglass(false) after the operation in a try-catch-finally block properly.)

Perhaps, you have a hint for me, how to go further in that direction.

Regarding (b)

The dotNet object contains a lot of properties. The only one I found via code completion, that seems to have something with cursor is

dotNet.System.Console.set_CursorTop

I expected some properties / methods for cursor below following namespace

dotNet.System.Window

However, the code completion does not offers it. 

That means: we have still no solution 😞

Perhaps, I overlook something. If you have a code example for me, please do not hesitate to share it with me. Thank you very much!

  • AlexKaras's avatar
    AlexKaras
    Champion Level 3
    5 years ago

    Hi,

     

    Excuse me for been not clear enough.

    For a) I meant this:

    -- Create something like this as a regular reusable test code (i.e. the code in your test project, but not in a Script Extension):

    Sub CallLongProc

      setHourglass(True)

      MyNamespace.LongProcedureFromScriptExtension

      setHourglass(False)

    End Sub

    -- Call the above sub where needed.

     

    If you just like to implement setHourglass() function as a standalone one within your script extension, then this is not possible because Win32API object is not accessible from within script extensions.

    I should have somewhere my ages-old code 😉 that sets cursor to hourglass, but it is implemented with the use of win32 calls and thus cannot be ported to script extension.

     

    .Net:

    Something like this might help:

    https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1568557/how-can-i-make-the-cursor-turn-to-the-wait-cursor

    https://www.google.com/search?q=.net+change+cursor+to+hourglass

     

    (For the first link I would try something like dotNET.Cursor.Current = dotNET.Cursors.WaitCursor;)

     

    • RLRE's avatar
      RLRE
      Occasional Contributor
      5 years ago

      Hi Alex,

      Thank you very much for your detailed hints and your time!

      I followed your hints. Unfortunately, no one of them was successful.

      {For example, the code

          dotNET.Cursor.Current = dotNET.Cursors.WaitCursor

      produces the error:

          The object does not support this property or method:  'dotNET.Cursors'

      }

      However, I think, we have no chance to do so and we should stop trying.

      The reason is, following quote, that comes from https://support.smartbear.com/testcomplete/docs/working-with/extending/script/creating/specifics.html

      "If your design-time action performs actions against the TestComplete main window (for example, minimizes the window, changes the window size and position, and so on), an error will occur. This happens due to specifics of thread organization in TestComplete."

      I guess, the "on so on" part includes changing the cursor…

      For our special situation is this non-critical: Our customers will know, we do not change the cursor in the script extension, even if the script extension needs more time than normal.

      Many thanks for your effort and your help!

      Best Regards

      RLRE

      • AlexKaras's avatar
        AlexKaras
        Champion Level 3
        5 years ago

        Hi,

         

        > The object does not support this property or method:  'dotNET.Cursors'

        Proper assembly must be added to dotNET Bridge in TestComplete in order for this or that .Net class to become accessible for dotNET TestComplete's object. Depending on the .Net version/flavor you are using the required assembly might differ. (For example, as per https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/api/system.windows.forms.cursors?view=netcore-3.1,

        System.Windows.Forms.dll must be added to dotNET Bridge).