Recognition string of object frequently changing in external repository

Question

Hi,I am using an external notepad repository for keeping the recognition string of the objects of my application(Windows application). Then, i am using keywords against which functions are written to return stub objectsand perform actions as per my requirement. But, after each new build of the application, the entire recognition ofsome of the objects completely changes. While for some of them, i am using wildcards(*), but for some objects, the entireclass changes. What can be done to reduce maintainability of the repository? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

tristaanogre · Accepted Answer

If you don't want to use the NameMapping feature of TestComplete, rather than using the long recognition string, you might be better off in determining identification properties similar to the way NameMapping works. &nbsp;For example, an object may have a class and a caption, two things that will change rarely, regardless of how the rest of the application changes. &nbsp;So, instead of the long string, use those two properties and their values and then utilize the built in "Find" or "FindChild" methods of TestComplete to find and return the specific objects.

sanjay0288 · Answer

Hi,&nbsp;Instead of passing the complete object from your notepad file, A more generic approach would be to pass the Object properties and values from your file and write a common method which does the find child operation and returns the found object.&nbsp;If the product which you are working is still in a development phase then there are chances that the dev team recklessly change the properties of the widget. Also if you have better access to your dev team then find out from them which object properties are unique and not going to change for the widget and then add it in your file.&nbsp;Below is sample vb script method written to get the object&nbsp;Function GetObjectofControl(prop,val)&nbsp; Dim mainObject, object&nbsp; Set mainObject = Sys.Process(&lt;your process name&gt;)&nbsp; Set object = mainObject.FindChild(prop,val,100)&nbsp;&nbsp; Set GetObjectofControl = objectEnd Function

sanjay0288 · Answer

Can you provide a snapshot of the objects which got changed. Along with the snapshot of the object notepad file. So that can quickly look into it and provide a solution.&nbsp;

mojo · Answer

As seen in the screen shot it is the "add "button in the left bottom corner.

In the earlier build it was:(in C# script)

Sys["Process"]("SoftControllerPanel")["Window"]("WindowsForms10.Window.8.app.0.141b42a_r12_ad1", "SoftController", 1)["Window"]("WindowsForms10.BUTTON.app.0.141b42a_r12_ad1", "&Add", 1)

In the new build it is:

Sys["Process"]("SoftControllerPanel")["WinFormsObject"]("SoftControllerDialog")["WinFormsObject"]("m_AddButton")

Screen shot is attached

mojo · Answer

Hi Robert,&nbsp;&nbsp; Thanks for the response. If you could just share a small example of this. Will be really grateful.

tristaanogre · Answer

This is just an example, mind you. &nbsp;If you want to use an external file to store the specifics, that will work along with this, you'd just need to structure that file to be able to read the data in and use it appropriately. &nbsp;The example I have here is hard-coding the strings but it should, I hope, demonstrate the concept. &nbsp;The documentation for the FindChild method can be found by clicking here.
&nbsp;
Let's say that I have an application with a form. &nbsp;On that form is a button for saving the data on the form. &nbsp;I want to find that button and click it. &nbsp;It would look something like this.
&nbsp;
function findChildExample(){
    var myApp, myForm, buttonSave;
    myApp = Sys.Process('myApp');
    myForm = myApp.FindChild(['class','Caption'],['form','Data'],2); //FindChild will find a child object up to two descendants deep with the class 'form' and the caption 'Data'
    if (myForm.Exists){ //if the form is found
        buttonSave = myForm.FindChild(['class','Caption'],['button','Save'], 2);  //FindChild will find a child object up to two descendants deep with the class 'button' and the caption 'Save'
        if (buttonSave.Exists) {
            buttonSave.ClickButton(); //Click on the button if it is found
        }
    }
}
This is just an example, mind you. &nbsp;I'd probably separate things out into a POM of sorts. &nbsp;If you want to use an external file, you could use something like an XML or a CSV file to define your objects you want to work with, giving each a name designation and a set of properties and values to search for. &nbsp;But... in truth, I see this as re-inventing the wheel. &nbsp;The NameMapping/Aliases structure of TestComplete already does a lot of this. &nbsp;If you are deliberate and careful in the properties you use for mapping your objects, you shouldn't need to edit your mapping frequently. &nbsp;And, even when you do, there's only one point of contact to do the edits to make sure that the rest of your automation continues to work.
&nbsp;
One item of note: I do, even though I use NameMapping, use the FindChild method to find things. &nbsp;On many forms and pages in the applications we are testing, there are tables of dynamic data. &nbsp;When we add a new data record into the application, a new row with new cells is added. &nbsp;But that data is not guarenteed to be there every test run. &nbsp;The table is, but the data rows may not be. &nbsp;So, we map the table as a "static" object... but we use FindChild when we need to find a particular cell within that table with particular contents. &nbsp;I think you'll find that most folks utilizing TestComplete's NameMapping feature end up using a similar hybrid structure where static application components are mapped but dynamically generated data components are "found" using FindChild.

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Recognition string of object frequently changing in external repository

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