How to compare local variables with a reusable script in TestComplete?

Question

I have created the following script that compares the contents of two project variables. Which two variables exactly can be defined through the parameters param1 and param2. This function can be called from within any keyword test since the variables are global.

function CompareTwoProjectVariables(param1, param2)
{
if (Project.Variables.VariableByName(param1) == Project.Variables.VariableByName(param2)) {
Log.message("The contents of variables " + param1 + "(" + Project.Variables.VariableByName(param1) + ")" + " and " + param2 + "(" + Project.Variables.VariableByName(param2) + ")" + " are equal.");
return true;

} else {
Log.Error("Variables " + param1 + "(" + Project.Variables.VariableByName(param1) + ")" + " and " + param2 + "(" + Project.Variables.VariableByName(param2) + ")" + " are not equal.");
return false;
}
}

The above script works perfectly for me. However I want to have a similar script that compares two local variables instead. I haven't been able to create a working script, because I can't succeed in calling the local variables correctly.

I hope someone can point me in the right direction.

Thanks

rraghvani · Answer

Keep your function as simple as possible. Here's a better approach,
function CompareVars(var1, var2)
{
    // equal value and equal type
    if (var1 === var2) {
        Log.Message("Match!");
        return true;
    } else {
        Log.Message("Do not match!");
        return false;
    }
}

function main()
{
    CompareVars(Project.Variables.param1, Project.Variables.param2);
    
    CompareVars(Project.Variables.VariableByName("param1"), Project.Variables.VariableByName("param2"));
    
    var str1 = "Hello"
    var str2 = "Hello"
    CompareVars(str1, str2);
    
    var int1 = 10
    var int2 = 11
    CompareVars(int1, int2);    
}
The function just compares two variables (and the type), and that's it. You just pass in the appropriate two parameters, and results will be shown as

&nbsp;

rraghvani · Answer

The value is more important than the variable name! If the comparison fails, you can easily go to the Call Stack, which will take you directly to where the method call was made. From here, you can easily diagnose the issue.
You could do this,
function CompareVars(str1, var1, str2, var2)
{
    // equal value and equal type
    if (var1 === var2) {
        Log.Message(`OK: "${str1}=${var1}" is the same as "${str2}=${var2}"`);
        return true;
    } else {
        Log.Error(`NOT OK: "${str1}=${var1}" is not the same as "${str2}=${var2}"`);
        return false;
    }
}

function test1()
{
    CompareVars("Project.Variables.param1", 10, "Project.Variables.param2", 10);
}
Which outputs,

But it's not advisable, and is considered not good practice.

deef · Answer

Thank you rraghvani, this one function now works for me for both local and global variables.&nbsp;I am now trying to get a more extended log message which states the name of the variable and the value of the variable. I succeeded with the value of the variable, but not yet with the names of the variables that are compared (as I did in my original script).This is my new script:function CompareVars(var1, var2)
{
    // equal value and equal type
    if (var1 === var2) {
        Log.Message("OK: " + var1 + " is same as " + var2);
        return true;
    } else {
        Log.Error("NOT OK: " + var1 + " is not same as " + var2);
        return false;
    }
}

function main()
{
    CompareVars(Project.Variables.param1, Project.Variables.param2);   
    CompareVars(Project.Variables.VariableByName("param1"), Project.Variables.VariableByName("param2"));   
}&nbsp;

hassan_ballan · Answer

I would not use the reference Project.Variables.VariableByName and stick with using Project.Variables.Var1. In TestComplete, both Project.Variables.Var1 and Project.Variables.VariableByName("Var1") are used to access project variables, but there's a key difference in how they're used and when you might prefer one over the other.
🔹 Project.Variables.Var1Direct access to the variable named Var1.Compile-time check: If Var1 doesn't exist, you'll get an error immediately.Faster performance (negligible in most cases, but technically true).Better readability if you're working with known variable names.✅ Use when you know the variable name ahead of time.
🔹 Project.Variables.VariableByName("Var1")Dynamic access using a string to specify the variable name.Allows you to use a variable or expression to determine the name at runtime.More flexible, but prone to runtime errors if the name doesn't exist.Useful in functions that loop through or reference variables dynamically.✅ Use when you don’t know the variable name at design time.
function main()
{
    CompareVars("Var1", Project.Variables.Var1, "Var2", Project.Variables.Var2);   
}

deef · Answer

I get your point. Especially when it requires two extra parameters in the function.

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