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GBrg's avatar
GBrg
New Contributor
4 years ago

TestComplete unable to identify any object - C++ Application

Hello All;   I am a very new user to this product and was wondering if there are any helpful tips to get TestComplete to recognise my application. The application I would like to automate is a Poi...
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  • AlexKaras's avatar
    AlexKaras
    4 years ago

    GBrg :

    Hi Gerard,

     

    > unless RTTI or external Debug has been enabled

    If debug information for C/C++ application is absent then TestComplete can access only those objects (windows) that are exposed by the operating system. The same windows can be seen in, say, Spy++.

    With debug information been accessible, TestComplete can access internal objects of the tested application much like debugger does.

    Depending on the given tested application, the following options are possible in case debug information is absent:

    -- Use keyboard shortcuts to trigger this or that function and/or activate this or that field/control (e.g.: <mainWindow>.Keys('^S') to call Save As dialog);

    -- Image-based testing;

    -- Coordinate-based testing;

    -- Text recognition technology (https://support.smartbear.com/testcomplete/docs/testing-with/object-identification/text-recognition/about.html).

     

GBrg's avatar
GBrg
New Contributor

Thank you for the quick response.

 

In essence TestComplete cannot operate against a C++ application unless RTTI or external Debug has been enabled at point of compile?


Cheers

 

Gerard

AlexKaras's avatar
AlexKaras
Champion Level 3
4 years ago

GBrg :

Hi Gerard,

 

> unless RTTI or external Debug has been enabled

If debug information for C/C++ application is absent then TestComplete can access only those objects (windows) that are exposed by the operating system. The same windows can be seen in, say, Spy++.

With debug information been accessible, TestComplete can access internal objects of the tested application much like debugger does.

Depending on the given tested application, the following options are possible in case debug information is absent:

-- Use keyboard shortcuts to trigger this or that function and/or activate this or that field/control (e.g.: <mainWindow>.Keys('^S') to call Save As dialog);

-- Image-based testing;

-- Coordinate-based testing;

-- Text recognition technology (https://support.smartbear.com/testcomplete/docs/testing-with/object-identification/text-recognition/about.html).

 

  • GBrg's avatar
    GBrg
    New Contributor
    4 years ago

    Hi Alex;

     

    Thank you for your suggestion here, it does look much more promising.

     

    I have now got visualisations when doing the record and after 'playing' with the pixel settings it can detect the text on the button presses.

     

    I know there is a wealth of documentation to explorer, but is there a way to 'auto discover' buttons and flows using text recognition this way?

     

    Thanks again!

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

      Hi Gerard,

       

      > it can detect the text on the button presses.

      These are good news.

       

      > is there a way to 'auto discover' buttons

      I am afraid no... As per documentation, you must specify parent object (window) and the text you are looking for.

       

      One more option is Optical Character Recognition (OCR), but it requires additional licensing. Nevertheless, you may read documentation and then consider whether it is worth trying.