How to change scripting language of an existing project

Hi László,



After digging a bit in my memory;) this is what you need to do to change the scripting language of the project:

a) Make a backup :)

b) Install (basically any) TestComplete SDK from http://support.smartbear.com/downloads/testcomplete/sdk/ (SDK is a self-extracting archive, so you can unpack it manually);

c) Open your .mds project file in any editor and search for the 'language' value (under the 'config' node);

d) Copy property's value (GUID string) and search it in the tcConst.pas file from the SDK content. (For example, GUID for VBScript is {897793E3-73F3-4895-A956-3D41D3A24A45});

e) Copy the GUID of the language you need from the tcConst.pas file and paste it into project .mds file. Save modified .mds;

f) Navigate to the [project]\Script\ folder and change extensions of the script files correspondingly (for example, if you are changing the language from VBScript to DelphiScript, change extensions from .svb to .sd);

g) Open Script.tcScript file from the same [project]\Script\ folder in the text editor and search and replace file extensions like in step f) (e.g. replace all occurences of .svb to .sd). Save modified Script.tcScript file

h) Open your .mds project file in the text editor and do the same search and replace like in step g). Save modified .mds file;

i) Try to open the project in TestComplete.



I might miss some step, but if something is missed, you should get a meaningful warning from TestComplete while opening the project.

Obviously, you will need to adopt script code and code snippets in the keyword tests to the new language.

Hope this will help.

Hi Carsten,





Currently, there is no way to change the scripting language in an existing project. We have a suggestion to implement this ability in our database, and your request has increased its rating. Thank you.

Hi Mathijs,





It is displayed in the Properties panel (the Project node must be highlighted in Project Explorer) and the status bar of the Editor window.

Hmm, after spinning my wheels for few hours I got to this forum-thread.

I see Alex’s note to increase the priority for this feature to be able to change the “hard-casted” scripting language after the project was created.

Was this implemented along these 3 years or I’m not finding the proper location?

I saw the Script > right click > Panel Options > Code Templates >> Languages: VBScript   however it won’t change to any other values I’m setting it...

So if it was not implemented yet, I would second Carsten in this, so we’re at least 2 now (or 3 with Mathijs)! 

:-)

Lto

Hi László,

Thanks it worked right!

Lto

Hi Preda,



> Note: I didn't find any reference in the .mds file to the script file extension (.vbs. The default scripting language was visual basic)



You had to search not for .vbs (which is extension for native VBScript files), but for .svb (which is VBScript extension used by TestComplete by default).

As far as I know, you cannot.  That value is stored in the MDS file and is not editable.  While it's a good suggestion, consider the challenge, then, at converting any script code and code units over to the correct syntax, like from DelphiScript to VBScript.  



Out of curiosity, what prompted your determination that you need to change script languages?  Technically speaking, the script language used for testing an application really only matters if you're actually going to be creating embedded tests within the application (what's called a "Connected Application").  Other than that, it's a matter of personal preference and familiarity when it comes to determining scripting language.

Thanks Martin,



I do not have any scripts yet in this project and want to add

my first script (Delphi Script). But when I created the project

I selected "VBScript" (without thinking about it).



So it's a little easier: I want to change the script language in a

project that does not have any scripts yet.



Maybe that's possible (with a hack)?



Regards,

- Carsten

The information is stored in the MDS file for the project (at least, that's the place that I saw a reference) but it's not stored in "human readable" format.  It would really be a hack and I cannot say what repercussions there would be to doing so.



If you've created the project and haven't created any tests in it yet, it's probably safest to just close it in TestComplete, delete it from your hard drive, and start over.