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).
RLRE's avatar
RLRE
Occasional Contributor

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).
      • RLRE's avatar
        RLRE
        Occasional Contributor
        5 years ago

        Hi Alex,

        you are right: System.Windows.Forms.dll must be added to CLR-Bridge.

        After that, following code does not produce any error:

        Sub setHourglassCursor(b)
        If b Then
        dotNET.System_Windows_Forms.Cursor.Current = dotNET.System_Windows_Forms.Cursors.AppStarting
        Else
        dotNET.System_Windows_Forms.Cursor.Current = dotNET.System_Windows_Forms.Cursors.Arrow
        End If
        end Sub

        However, the cursor stays unchanged.

        At this point, I must really give this up: I must not assume any prerequisite for the project, in order to achieve, that the script extension properly work. (By the way, setting the hourglass is nice, not mandatory needed.)

        Regardless of this, I would like to emphasis out, that your posts are the right approach. That's why I accept your last post as answer.

        Thanks!