Just started, how would I create a variable that changes every time I run a test?

Question

I want to create a test that runs many times, and each time the test is run the input from the test should be slightly different.

For instance, I want to create many records in my software, and the name of each record will just be "1", then "2", then "3"...

I know how to do this programmatically, but how do I tell TestComplete to run my script and use this new value, and retain the current value of the variable so that it may change again for the next loop?

EDIT: To further clarify, I want the highlighted "SetText" value to be the result of a python function that generates a unique string each time. It's not very clear on how to do that.

tristaanogre · Answer

Okie dokie... starting from the top.... forgive me but I'm not a Python coder so what I'm going to demo is using JavaScript but the principles you're asking for are the same.First of all, I've created a unit of code that contains a single function. &nbsp;Really silly, actually:
function getData(dataSeed) {
    return 'The data you asked for is ' + dataSeed;
}
All this is going to do is return a string that contains the text I'm passing in.
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Now, my keyword test... &nbsp;It's a pretty simple thing. &nbsp;I'm going to call that function and then log the result. In the left side of the keyword test, in your list of operations, there's a test action called 'Run Script Routine'
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Drag that over into your keyword test, you will be prompted to select the code unit and the function within that unit that you want to run:
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When you click OK on the method you want, if necessary, it will prompt you for parameters. &nbsp;I'm adding it as a Variable that I'm creating in the keyword test that I'll use later for my for loop counter:

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The result is that now, in my keyword test, I have a call to run the script routine with the desired parameter:
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Now, I'm going to use the results of that method (what is returned) in a Log call... so, I'm going to drag over a Log message call and, when prompted for the message parameter, I'm going to select "Last Operation Result":
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So, my keyword test now consists of calling a script routine and then logging a message using the value returned from the routine.
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Now... I want to wrap all that in a for loop. &nbsp;So, from the Statements group in the operations, I'm going to drag over a For loop operation:
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Note that I've selected that counter variable as the loop variable. &nbsp;Now, I just need to set the End value to a value that I want to max out at. &nbsp;Not shown in a picture because that should be pretty self explanatory. &nbsp;Now... I need to take the code that I have and add it to be child operations under the loop. &nbsp;This is done by selecting the operations and then "indenting" them.
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The result is that now I have a test that will run my function and then use the results of that function to log a message. &nbsp;The function takes the loop variable and returns a string that contains that loop variable. &nbsp;My loop goes through a max value of 5.
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Hope this helps.Pretty much, this is how building a keyword test "by hand" is done... dragging operations over, populating parameters, settings, etc, in the wizard dialogs, indenting or outdenting code within loops or if/then conditionals, etc.
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tristaanogre · Answer

Just to clarify, you essentially want to do a for loop through around your code where you would use the index of the for loop within the name of the data record, yes?
&nbsp;
So...do a for loop. :)
https://support.smartbear.com/testcomplete/docs/keyword-testing/reference/statements/for-loop.html
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There are code analogues in keyword tests to do what you want. &nbsp;So, for loops, while loops, etc., are present and available.As for the second part of your question, what I would do is use the "Run Script Routine" operation that runs your Python function that returns the value. &nbsp;Then, in that SetText field, click the ellipses button. &nbsp;In the resulting screen, in the drop down that probably currently says "Variable", change that to "Last Operation Result". &nbsp;That will take the value returned from your function and put it in the SetText field.

mrdysprosium · Answer

So many questions. The documentation does a great job of explaining "why", but not "how".How do I use the "Run Script Routine" operation?How do I tell SmartBear that my script is Python?

tristaanogre · Answer

To answer your second question first, when you created your automation project, you were prompted to select a scripting language. If you selected Python then the assumption, even in Keyword tests, is that the syntax of everything is Python.

As for how to use the "Run Script Routine", drag the operation over into your keyword test and let the wizard do it's work. :) Basically, you'll be prompted first to select the code unit and then the script routine to execute, if the script routine has parameters, you'll be prompted to provide them as values. Honestly, it's really that simple. :)

mrdysprosium · Answer

&gt;Honestly, it's really that simple.simplicity != intuitive

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Just started, how would I create a variable that changes every time I run a test?

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